It seems that it was every Christmas Eve, we would all climb into cars and drive to church for the service that started at 11:00 p.m.. The sanctuary would be crowded with so many people all holding unlit candles. There would be the reading of the Gospel, carols, and a few other poems and excerpts … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: “For So The Children Come…”
It was sunny and cold. At the end of the ritual of blessing for someone killed in our community, a small dog came limping up to the gathering. He seemed fearless of the humans chatting with each other in small groups. In fact, he cozied up to a woman’s leg and took some pats. The … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope in Small Acts II
Music has the capacity to awaken, enliven and inspire us. This song performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock has been part of the by-heart music that lives within me and gives me hope. We have been in difficult places before, and we continue to work for what is right and just. Remembering that we … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope from the Ancestors II
My colleague Lynn Ungar shared this poem on Facebook, noting “Here’s a poem for the solstice. Or the election. Or whatever.” My “whatever” is hope. Lynn’s website is at the bottom of the blog in case you want to look up more of her work. Born Again by Lynn Ungar, 12/20/16 Let’s be clear about … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Being Born Again
Those two words are sometimes what offers hope. No great parties, no brass bands and parades. Simply recover. Just over 10 years ago, I told my husband one night that I feared that if I didn’t stop drinking alcohol, I would die. Even with that fear, I couldn’t seem to stop. On the night before … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Simply Recover
#31daysofhope I too often forget that there are so many small moments that create something more like justice and love and peace in the world. Here’s a perfect example. I suspect many of us wouldn’t want to be out in crazy cold weather (I don’t live in Maine for a reason), and might think that … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope in Small Acts
Today’s post comes from Diane Harney, a member (recently) and friend of Tahoma UU Congregation who is also keeping this practice. Today she posted this photo and short reflection on Facebook: Hope is a verb. As a child, I remember following the hospital ship the USS Hope as it served as a peace-time hospital ship. … Continue reading Hart to Harts: “Hope is a Verb”
A friend posted a blog today that referred to the image on the right. “Buy Presents” is edited to “Be Present,” and so on. She suggested that in her life there’s a bit of Both/And. Do you know how a phrase can send you off down a rabbit hole of memory? Her post did that … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope from the Both/And
The window next to our dining table looks west to the Olympic Mountains. In the early morning, when the sky is clear and there is snow on the peaks, they emerge from the darkness in tones of deep blue and pink. Every time I see them while drinking my tea, my breath is taken away. … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: The Mountains
I was introduced to Wendell Berry’s work when preparing for a wedding early in my ministry. The couple included his poem “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” in their service, and then gave me a copy of his collected works. These few lines have offered me hope more times than I can count: Expect the … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope in Laughter
