Leaders of Faith Community
Swimming Dreams
I went down in the afternoonto the seawhich held me, until I grew easy. About tomorrow, who knows anything.Except that it will be time, again,for the deepening and quieting of the spirit. Mary OliverIt’s been a year; a year with its own particular labours of spirit, mind, and body. Each one’s weight shared with the others. Each…
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Glittering Pandemonium
Opening to Pentecost Spirit lets in grief and joy. On Friday I watched the news of the shooting at Santa Fe High School as many of us did and felt the spirit of despair lapping at my heart like a cold tide. In the midst of my sorrow, for those who experienced the violence of…
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The Candle of Peace
There’s been talk here and there this past week of leaving the Advent candle for peace unlit. There is a desire to do something extraordinary in the face of the horrifying violence being visited on the people of Gaza. But for me, leaving the wick of peace unlit seems an act of despair, a signal that we have…
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A Child Can Lead Us
Over and over this summer I’ve experienced the ways children bring us into an awareness of the presence of what is holy. Whether you spell Spirit with an ‘S’ capital or lowercase, children slip into ours hands small and treasured and take us wading. They splash us with the serious and the surprising. With their imagination, their wonder,…
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Blessing the Backpacks (with bubbles)
(The worship leader could say the words of the following prayer alone or it could become an echo prayer with the children and any who bring backpacks repeating the line after the leader.) Loving God,You are with us in every placeAt homeAt schoolOn vacationIn places that feel wonderful and places that feel scaryYou are…
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Stars and The Breathing Land
Last week I gathered with a group who had come together from many places to imagine landscapes old and new. We did that by recalling our ancestors, those who had inspired us, but also those who had knotted the rope of our past, those who had wounded us or gone astray. We opened to the…
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Peace Holds Us
Holy One, yesterday in the woods, the late afternoon light was so tender and strong, the shadows made art on the snow and the sky prepared to relax into the night.
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A Carol for the Longest Night
Silent Night, Holy NightHere we long for your LightHere your Presence is achingly nearHere your Love gently touches our fear Hold our tears in your heartHold our tears in your heart
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A Prayer for Our Return to School
Holy One, May our school year begin with compassion for where we are,uncertain,tired,and glad to see one another. May we begin with a thirstto learn ——students from teachersand teachers from students.
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The Presence in Absence
The absence of his presence, the presence of his absence, like a palpable thing.
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Was there birdsong?
Was it a morning like this one, when birdsong was as sweet as can be after days spent longing for light? Was it a morning when everything seemed new and the disciples, rousing themselves, stretched their arms wide and welcomed it? Was it a morning like this one when Jesus looked down from the Mount…
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