An Advent of Faith

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the “An Advent of Faith” series hosted by Bishop Phyllis Spiegel. We are grateful for your participation and the engaging discussions that took place during this special event.

Throughout the Advent season, Bishop Spiegel led us in a three-part conversation that deepened our faith and brought us closer to the anticipation of the coming of Jesus. The series provided an opportunity for the entire Diocese to connect via Zoom, bringing us together in this season of light.

In our Tuesday gatherings at 7:00 pm, our newest priests, The Rev. Ashley Gurling, recently ordained as a priest at St. Luke’s in Park City, The Rev. Daniela Lee from St. Mary’s in Provo, and Pastor Angela Chacon, who leads the blended Episcopal-Lutheran (ELCA) congregation of Ascension St. Matthew’s in Price, shared their reflections with Bishop Phyllis Spiegel. Their insights and perspectives enriched our discussions and added depth to our exploration of faith during Advent.

We hope you enjoyed the series, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our guest speakers and everyone who contributed to making “An Advent of Faith” a meaningful and enriching experience for our Diocese.

Dec. 5th, 2023 – The Rev. Ashley Gurling – “Rooted in Jesus”

Dec. 12th, 2023 – The Rev. Daniela Lee – “Joyous in Discipleship”

Dec. 19th, 2023 – Pastor Angela Chacon – “Abundant in Spirit”

Scroll down to revisit each week’s discussion, theme, and speaker lineup . Thank you once again for being a part of this wonderful journey of faith, and we look forward to future opportunities to come together in faith and fellowship.

Watch our Past Sessions

Play Video

"Rooted in Jesus" with The Rev. Ashley Gurling

Bishop Spiegel introduces The Rev. Ashley Gurling across the Diocese as they discuss the first theme of An Advent of Faith, “Rooted in Jesus.” What helps you to have your life Rooted in Jesus? Has doubt ever helped you grow in your faith? If so, how? What will strengthen you on your journey forward?

This Week's Passage

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind– just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you– so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Play Video

"Joyful in Discipleship" with The Rev. Daniela Lee

Bishop Spiegel and The Rev. Daniela Lee of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Provo reflect on the second theme of An Advent of Faith, “Joyful in Discipleship.” What does “Joyous in Discipleship” mean to you? How do you see joy as different from happiness or other emotions? Where are some places you have been surprised to find the deep joy of God? Can you remember a time when you found joy in the midst of sorrow or sadness?

This Week's Passage

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to provide for those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a garland instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, to display his glory…

…I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

Play Video

"Abundant in Spirit" with Pastor Angela Chacon

Bishop Spiegel and Pastor Angela Chacon of Ascension St. Matthew’s reflect on the final theme of An Advent of Faith, “Abundant in Spirit.” In your words, how would you describe a life abundant in spirit. How are you, through faith in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, living a life abundant in spirit? “Abundant in spirit” might also be defined as being alive in Christ and those things that give us life. What are some examples of things that give you life?

This Week's Passage

John 1:6-9, 19-28

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.’ ¹⁹ This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him,
“Who are you?” ²⁰ He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” ²¹ And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²² Then they said to him,
“Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us.

What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. ²⁴ Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵ They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶ John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷ the one who is coming after me;
I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” ²⁸ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

An Advent of Faith

Watch our Past Sessions

"Rooted in Jesus" with The Rev. Ashley Gurling

This Week's Passage

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Joyful in Discipleship" with The Rev. Daniela Lee

This Week's Passage

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to provide for those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a garland instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, to display his glory…

…I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

"Abundant in Spirit" with Pastor Angela Chacon

This Week's Passage

John 1:6-9, 19-28

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.