ADVENT Adult Formation: The Gifts of Imperfection

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable; exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle; and nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen when we believe that we are enough.

Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

For many of us around St. Paul's it is already an Advent kind of time.  Not so much in the calendar of the church year, but in that period of strange expectation, dark unknowing and glittering hope.  We are looking back on the recent years with celebration and with concern; we are staring out into a future that is always in motion.  We are being called to reset our expectations of ourselves and of each other as we seek the noble beauty of lifelong Christian practice.  CS Lewis once suggested that there is no up or down, only out and in.  This Advent can we peel back the barriers that keep us from going further out, and further in?


We are inviting the whole congregation to an Advent & Christmas reading of 'The Gifts of Imperfection' by sociologist and storyteller (and Episcopalian) Dr. Brene Brown.  If you don't know her, a quick internet search will reveal the most popular TED talk, multiple animated expressions of her important work, conversations with Oprah and several bestsellers.  Our Advent book choice is available digitally for download, in audio versions, and in hard copies.  It was a bestseller, so second hand copies should be easy to find.  Furthermore BOOK AND GAME has 10 copies reserved for us.

This will be casually discussed at the Adult Forum on the 29th, 13th and 20th of December and on the 3rd of January.  If you have never joined in a forum, this might be the right time to do so.  Even if you are unavailable during the forum time (thank you choir members), perhaps reading this book can be your Advent commitment.  Create a sacred space for the gifts of imperfection this winter.

To the right is a word list.  A word a day list for your reflection, writing, creativity, focus or quoting.  A word a day from the book, a word a day to last you from the first day of Advent till the Epiphany.  We offer this because the traditional season of Christmas is a full 12 days.  The world may throw the tree to the curb, but we have more to do in our Christmas journeys.