Greetings, Dear Ones!

I have been thinking for several weeks that a midweek time of shared reflection would be another opportunity for us to gather in sacred space in addition to Sunday morning Celebrations of Life.  This week those musings are coming to fruition!  In brief 30-minute gatherings beginning tomorrow, May 6th, at 5:30pm we will have the chance to meet via zoom.  In the first 15 minutes I will share a reading, followed by Ethan sharing his musical talents on the piano. The remaining 15 minutes will be an opportunity for open chat as we have on Sunday mornings following the service.

If you’re interested in an informal, brief time of reflection (a short reading, such as the one below, from Rev. Lori) and listening (various piano pieces chosen and played by Ethan), then please log on or dial in.  Click here to join the Zoom.  The password is the same as for the services.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this poem by one of my favorite poets, Rainer Maria Rilke.  For those of you who are able to feel the benefits of quiet reflection and mindful breathing that we will together embark upon tomorrow evening, I am hopeful that you will find the depth of the collective experience to be more than just your own.

Hoping that each of you are well and safe,
Lori

Sonnets to Orpheus, Part One, IV

You who let yourselves feel: enter the breathing
that is more than your own.
Let it brush your cheeks
as it divides and rejoins beside you.

Blessed ones, whole ones,
you where the heart begins:
You are the bow that shoots the arrows
and you are the target.

Fear not the pain. Let its weight fall back
into the earth;
for heavy are the mountains, heavy the seas.

The trees you planted in childhood have grown
too heavy.  You cannot bring them along.
Give yourselves to the air, to what you cannot hold.

~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~