In her recently published book First Advent in Palestine, writer and liberation theologian Kelley Nikondeha invites us to an understanding of Advent that goes deeper than, as she says, “strands of twinkling lights and the anticipation of seasonal pleasures.” The Rev. Loren McGrail and the Rev. Elice Higginbotham, both UCC Pin steering committee members, joined by the Rev. Gail Doering, will co-facilitate this online interactive discussion of the journey Nikondeha takes readers on. It is, as the Rev. Mitri Raheb observes, "a journey through the tiers of multiple oppressions in Palestine from the first advent under the Roman empire to the current oppression of the indigenous Palestinians under Israeli occupation, highlighting advent as a subversion of imperial power.” The first advent in Palestine, Nikondeha asserts, gives us the "tools" of "hospitality, solidarity, and nonviolence -- ready for the hopeful to use as we subvert the empires God will one day bring to an end."

To register and get the Zoom link for this online meeting, email: Pastorloren3@gmail.com.

In advance of the December 9^th discussion, participants are urged to read Nikondeha’s book and/or her Christian Century article “Mary, Joseph, and a tea vendor named Sami.” See also the link to Noushin Framke’s review of the book in Breaking the Stories.