tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54998910650727178672024-03-15T21:12:06.567-04:00MargotruminatesThis is a creative outlet in a journey that is constantly intersecting the muddy-ness of life with the movement of the Holy Spirit. I invite you to join me as I ruminate on the walk to discern God's movement in the midst of the mess.margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.comBlogger1103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-50251617240077314852024-02-08T09:31:00.003-05:002024-02-08T10:21:00.179-05:00Pink Sky<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25iKfmE7336IUjS_T_D3wuM5kHk08Q0ITRrx_hHkrYXXo_SuYsur440nWgUdgHwkxfRRhRV-xkhyphenhyphenxgmzOE3NdtVCFIOhZONFZd6Ken0Q9TOibHsmhnqtrZ1OluQaNIQ19EldWpIJ1AeL1Sk4dB3rbeei2YiwiXDIpG_Dd3g64B9WHiJ12JN2UpiOs6W4P/s4032/D5AD5B20-6F55-4EA3-BFA3-92CA509DA574.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25iKfmE7336IUjS_T_D3wuM5kHk08Q0ITRrx_hHkrYXXo_SuYsur440nWgUdgHwkxfRRhRV-xkhyphenhyphenxgmzOE3NdtVCFIOhZONFZd6Ken0Q9TOibHsmhnqtrZ1OluQaNIQ19EldWpIJ1AeL1Sk4dB3rbeei2YiwiXDIpG_Dd3g64B9WHiJ12JN2UpiOs6W4P/s320/D5AD5B20-6F55-4EA3-BFA3-92CA509DA574.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />John called to me from the back porch. "Come and see" he said.<p></p><p>I looked up from working on "Spelling Bee" and listening to Morning Joe. I put down the I pad and went to where he was. And looked. The sky was glorious. It was pink and mirrored in the water. I took pictures and just stood and looked at this beautiful sight.</p><p>What I know to be true is that there is so much beauty and wonder that I miss. I live in a morning routine like most people. Coffee, puzzles, tv and eventually I do come to a morning devotional practice. That is good, but still - there is so much I miss. </p><p>I take pictures and they never capture what it looks like. It is a pathetic attempt to try to capture what is transient. Because that pink sky lasted for about 15 minutes and then it was gone.</p><p>This is a trite thought, but I still write it this morning. Nothing lasts - not the good, not the bad.</p><p>This is the last year that my grandson Jackson is in high school. This spring is the last time we will go to see him run. There is a sweetness to gathering in the fall or the spring with the whole family - with Jackson's parents, Kacey and Brett and the other grandparents and his aunts and uncles and cousins to watch him. We have watched him play soccer, and run cross country and run track. I have missed many opportunities usually because of my schedule. It is all coming to an end. and in June there will be a big party to celebrate the completion of this milestone. It seems like it was only 15 minutes ago that he was a little boy running around. He soon will join the three granddaughters who are all in college and truly young adults. Nothing lasts. </p><p>So, I sit here today in gratitude for my new husband who helps me to put down the things that distract me from seeing the beauty that surrounds me. So, that I can live in appreciation and gratitude for this moment of wonder. <br /></p><p><br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-83759398148242325112024-01-31T09:49:00.005-05:002024-01-31T09:49:35.057-05:00Church Life<p>Today our church has only one worship service. Afterwards there will be a congregational meeting where we will vote on the budget.</p><p>It is interesting now to be attending a church with John who has been throughout his adult life "unchurched." So I find myself explaining things to him as if he is coming in from a foreign country. The churches I served and the church I go to have a very transparent process. We see how much money comes in and and where it goes. I imagine I will learn today that the majority of the budget goes to salaries. and building maintenance. It did in the churches that I served. And the money is coming mostly from the voluntary donations of the people who are members. Sometimes it seems like a miracle that we are able to make the budget. <br /></p><p>Of course, some churches fall short of "making the budget" and then there are staff cuts and ministers who have to work half time. I am grateful that I never went through any of that. As I look back, it is easy to remember the stresses of being a pastor - the challenge of evangelism and stewardship and sometimes difficult people. The weekly sermon preparation that was relentless.</p><p>When I attend First Church, however, I am grateful for the blessings of being part of a church. It really is - or can be - the body of Christ. One of my favorite hymns is - "The Church's One Foundation." There is a line in it that can bring me to tears - "mystic sweet communion." Richard Rohr has written that religion is about communion and I do experience that. There are times when the music, the message, the people, the place can remind me that I am part of something bigger than me. We are together in following Jesus and responsible for and to each other. It is a feeling that comes and goes as we do the "work" of the church - giving, serving, greeting, meeting and caring for each other. </p><p>I know that many people have had negative experiences in churches. Richard Rohr writes "religion either produces the very best people or the very worst." I have experienced both. He also writes:</p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">“A mature Christian sees Christ in everything and everyone else. That is a definition that will never fail you, always demand more of you, and give you no reasons to fight, exclude, or reject anyone.”</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I choose to continue</span> to find comfort, growth , and hope through being part of a church. <br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-39495577442070824812024-01-27T11:54:00.001-05:002024-01-27T11:56:46.582-05:00Justice and Mercy<p>This week John and I have participated in both justice and mercy ministries. Some years ago, I learned the difference between them and it was a helpful distinction.</p><p>Last night we helped to serve a meal at Faith Mission. We have a team at our church that provides a meal there once a month. There were people who spent a couple of hours in the kitchen Friday afternoon preparing beef tips in gravy, noodles, green beans and salad to provide dinner (along with with rolls and a cookie) for the people who are staying at the Faith Mission. We arrived at 4:30 and put on our aprons, hair nets, and gloves to serve the meal from 5 to 6:30. We served about seventy five - mostly men. </p><p>I had participated years ago in "Martha's Kitchen" when I lived in Bowling Green. It was a similar experience except that in a small town you got to know the "regulars" who came to eat. We would sometimes visit with them and also provide food to go and other needs. Here, our interaction with the diners was pretty limited. We said - Hello or Have a cookie and they said thank you and God bless. (and two people adamantly refused the salad and green beans.) There was a person who did security and it was clear that there were protocols in place. So, we drove down from our comfortable home in Galena to do this small offering to people who are clearly living hard lives. This is a picture of "mercy" ministries that churches do. It is providing needed help in the present moment.<br /></p><p>Monday night we attended a BREAD meeting at our church. BREAD is a justice organization in Columbus comprised of about 50 faith organizations. Every year each church discerns what issues "keep us up at night" and come together to decide on one focus for the year. This year it is looking at the problem of affordable housing. We learned about the research committee that will be working on that as well as dates for upcoming meetings - most especially the Nehemiah Action Meeting in June. That is when we will come together - hopefully 200 from our church - to join hopefully 4000 people from the community to confront the community leaders that have the power to make something happen. It was, for me, an inspiring meeting and at the same time I see how slow the process is to make any kind of systemic change.</p><p>As I look over this blog, I am aware of how often I struggle with the basic inequities and unfairness of life. I was been blessed to be born into a middle class home in America with college educated parents who loved me. Just that gave me a head start on life that many people do not have. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know that we are all loved by God and called into relationship with God and each other. We are responsible to and for each other. So, then always the question is - what can I do? What can we do?</p><p>As a pastor, I felt like I was living "in the arena" and had some opportunities to "make a difference." Now, as a retiree I wonder. I always wonder. This serving a meal on a Friday night seems like a pittance and the justice ministry is a slow moving slog. And yet, I know that you have to start somewhere. At the very least, it forces me to think beyond my own comfort and problems and consider the needs of people who have not have the advantages that I have had. I struggle. I question everything. And I pray.</p><p>Here is a prayer by Maxine Shonk</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May the God of JUSTICE bless you.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May you embrace what is true in your life and speak with an undivided heart</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>for the cause of what is right and good on the earth.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May you know the mind of God in all your decisions and the hand of God in all your undertakings.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May the God of JUSTICE be with you.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Amen </i><br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-64435409137422645642024-01-22T07:28:00.003-05:002024-01-22T07:54:17.562-05:00Drop your nets<p><br />Yesterday I preached at Westminster Thurber Retirement Community. They are without a chaplain right now and Larry, who teaches the Bible study with me, asked me to help out. I had previously preached there in November. I preached twice - at 2:30 for the people in the care center and at 3:30 for the general community.</p><p>The lectionary text was Mark 1: 14-20 and the calling of the disciples. I used a sermon that I had used in the past, but tailored it to this community and find I am thinking about it still. When Jesus called the fishermen to "follow me" they "dropped their nets" and went with him. Their nets represented their identity, their living, their security. </p><p>I talked about how, as seniors, we have all dropped a lot of nets along the way. We have retired which is challenging because so often that has been our identity and our purpose. And the people who live in a retirement community, like me at this point in my life, have also sold their homes and given away a lot of "stuff" that had memories and meaning in order to live somewhere new. As I pondered the text, I knew that that is hardly the end of dropping nets.</p><p>I found myself thinking about Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development with Generativity verses Stagnation being one we go through. When we are generative we are making commitments to other people, mentoring, caring for the next generation. Stagnation is placing self concern above all else and not being involved with others or the world. It really is getting stuck. What I know is that it is easy to get comfortable with the status quo and not try any new things. Keep reading the same kind of books, being with the same kind of people, doing what I always do. (Yes! I am always preaching to myself.)</p><p>My life with John has led me into new interests - like football of all things. I can't believe that this year i will actually know and care who is going to be in the Super Bowl. But I know that more is coming and more is needed in terms of my being "generative" or really, fully alive. Dropping the nets is the beginning, but the next thing needs to be taking a risk and being open - not just to the next interest - but the next opportunity to serve others and essentially follow Jesus. </p><p>It is easy to preach it - now I need to do it. <br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-28124290251885484402024-01-20T09:12:00.003-05:002024-01-20T09:12:28.336-05:00Returning from a Retreat<p>I went to Hocking Hills and stayed at a beautiful house with the women of my peer group for a retreat. It was so helpful for me to have time away for reflection, sharing and just being with others. I did several reiki treatments and the whole experience felt like it grounded me. I recommend that to anyone.</p><p>One person shared this reading from the book: <u>The Wisdom of the Enneagram. </u> It really spoke to me.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i> <i><br /><b>The Stages of the Work</b></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><b> </b><br />If we were to really observe ourselves,<br />we would become aware of our habits.<br /><br />If we were to become aware of our habits, <br />we would let go and relax.<br /><br />If we were to let go and relax,<br />we would be aware of sensations.<br /><br />If we were to be aware of sensations,<br />we would receive impressions.<br /><br />If we were to receive impressions,<br />we would awaken to the moment.<br /><br />If we were to awaken to the moment,<br />we would experience reality.<br /><br />If we were to experience reality,<br />we would see that we are not our personality.<br /><br />If we were to see that we are not our personality,<br />we would remember ourselves.<br /><br />If we were to remember ourselves,<br />we would let go of our fear and attachments.<br /><br />If we were to let go of our fear and attachments,<br />we would be touched by God.<br /><br />If we were touched by God,<br />we would seek union with God.<br /><br />If we were to seek union with God,<br />we would will what God wills.<br /><br />If we were to will what God wills,<br />we would be transformed.<br /><br />If we were transformed,<br />the world would be transformed.<br /><br />If the world were transformed,<br />all would return to God.<br /><br />–from The Wisdom of the Enneagram <br />Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson
</i></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-15240626598349952662024-01-17T11:00:00.000-05:002024-01-17T11:00:39.001-05:00Life on Hoover<p>It is eleven degrees right now and I just went outside to take some pictures of Hoover Reservoir. It is frozen, I think and there is a little snow on it. The wind has made designs on the surface and I marvel at the beauty that we can find even on a cold January morning.</p><p>I am aware of the privilege of living here in a warm home with a stocked pantry. There are people right now who are freezing and homeless here in Columbus. And I really have more than I need.</p><p>And outside of Columbus - in this beautiful world which God created - there are wars in Ukraine and Gaza and hostages who have been held now for months. There are people who continue to travels hundreds of miles to enter this country for refuge and create another seemingly impossible situation at the border in caring for them. </p><p>So I looked for a poem by Mary Oliver that would put into words the "Both And" that we live with - our abundance in the face of other's scarcity and our freedom while others are oppressed and our peace while too many live in conflict. I found this quote:</p><p> <span class="quote_sign" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.69); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">“</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.69); color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">What we must do, I suppose, is to hope the world keeps its balance; what we are to do, however, with our hearts waiting and watching-truly I do not know.</span><span class="quote_sign" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.69); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">”</span></p><p> </p><p>To be alive is to see it all - the good and the bad, the beauty and the ugliness and not loose hope. To trust that in the midst of everything - God is here working in the margins and helping each of us to see the beauty of our lives and to do what we are called to do to help bring healing and peace. </p><p>For now, my heart is waiting and watching.<br /></p><p><span class="quote_sign" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.69); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-48307497689188527972024-01-15T10:07:00.005-05:002024-01-15T10:07:42.560-05:00Howard Thurman<p>Yesterday in church Tim Ahrens shared a reading by Howard Thurman. It really spoke to me. I did some digging on the computer and found another meaningful writing by him. I share them both here.</p><p><br /></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
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</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How
Good to Center Down! By Howard Thurman</span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How good it is to center
down!</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To sit quietly and see
one’s self pass by!</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The streets of our minds
seethe with endless traffic;</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Our spirits resound with
clashing, with noisy silences,</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">While something deep
within hungers and thirsts for the still moment and the resting lull.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">With full intensity we
seek, ere thicket passes, a fresh sense of order in our living;</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A direction, a strong sure
purpose that will structure our confusion and bring meaning in our chaos.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We look at ourselves in
this waiting moment—the kinds of people we are.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The questions persist:
what are we doing with our lives?—what are the motives that order our
days?</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">What is the end of our
doings? Where are we trying to go? Where do we put the emphasis and where
are our values focused? For what end do we make sacrifices?</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Where is my treasure and
what do I love most in life?</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">What do I hate most in
life and to what am I true? Over and over the questions beat upon the
waiting moment.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As we listen, floating up
through all of the jangling echoes of our turbulence, there is a sound of
another kind—</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A deeper note which only
the stillness of the heart makes clear.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It moves directly to the
core of our being. Our questions are answered,</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Our spirits refreshed, and
we move back into the traffic of our daily round</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">With the peace of the
Eternal in our step.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How good it is to center
down!</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">An Inward Sea by
Howard Thurman</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">There is in every person an inward
sea,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">and in that sea there is an island</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">and on that island there is an altar </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">and standing guard before that altar
is the ”angel with the flaming sword.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Nothing can get by that angel to be
placed upon that altar unless it has the mark of your inner authority.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Nothing passes ”the angel with the
flaming sword” to be placed upon your altar unless it be a part of ”the fluid
area of your consent.”</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This is your crucial link with the
Eternal.</span></p>
margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-29234699993436635762023-12-07T09:04:00.003-05:002023-12-07T09:13:58.378-05:00Hope of Advent<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS-Si_ENJRd7OdP02iJUsHjSxKnIcgo_Fu2fzJkKg2ir4KCZW3avDipdjzuVgPLucEWcakHG-Xs8-umm8nwXQvRrv0xaxMQNTPD7G4Ml2gdghcaMF0j5oiPsg-P_xYnTCp1mP6tW9pfWJAqr5-_3a5EtNRfyy5oFPiKDu7oPDLl6tYi35M8tkDXZDXABM/s3264/386030BB-033B-40E9-9B7F-CE7617FE57AB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS-Si_ENJRd7OdP02iJUsHjSxKnIcgo_Fu2fzJkKg2ir4KCZW3avDipdjzuVgPLucEWcakHG-Xs8-umm8nwXQvRrv0xaxMQNTPD7G4Ml2gdghcaMF0j5oiPsg-P_xYnTCp1mP6tW9pfWJAqr5-_3a5EtNRfyy5oFPiKDu7oPDLl6tYi35M8tkDXZDXABM/s320/386030BB-033B-40E9-9B7F-CE7617FE57AB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I started this day sitting at the table and spending time just
looking outside at the bare trees, the sky, the water, the brown leaves
on the ground and an occasional squirrel or bird flying by. At church
on Sunday I picked up an Advent devotional called "The Poetry of Advent"
which is an Advent companion to Mary Oliver's devotions. I don't have
that but I find the poems they referenced.<p></p><p>Here it is Thursday
and I am finally doing what I said I was going to do every day during
Advent - a daily devotional. Maybe this is a beginning and I will
continue after this. I hope so. It is so good for my spirit and my
soul.</p><p>I take notes from the scripture and the reading: </p><p><i>The Kingdom is near</i></p><p><i>Be Alert</i></p><p><i>"To pay attention is our endless and proper work" - a quote from Mary Oliver's poem "Yes No"</i></p><p><i>Be on guard against being consumed with the worries of this life.</i></p><p>I sit and breathe it all in and feel awe just looking at the scene in front of me. </p><p>I read another poem by Mary Oliver - "On thy wondrous works I will meditate (Psalm 145)" which begins:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>"So it is not hard to understand</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>where God's body is, it is </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Everywhere and everything: shore and the vast </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Fields of water, the accidental and the intended</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Over here, over there. And I bow down</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Participate and attentive</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>It is so dense and apparent. ....."</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">I
wish I could put into words the fullness within me just to spend a few
moments like this. Remembering that God is here and I can trust and
let go. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Whatever
I write and whatever I say is inadequate. John comes by on his way to
blowing the leaves off the deck and I read what I have written to him
and he kisses me and tells me that he loves me. It is all so good. At the same time
I have to shut down the voices that say - you are wasting time - you
are pretending to be spiritual - why haven't you done this more? </p><p style="text-align: left;">The
scene that surrounds me in this beautiful home has a wildness and a
desolation. There are few leaves left on the trees and they are brown
and moving in the breeze. The sky is mottled with a faint line of pink on the
horizon. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I
am so aware during this season of my own blessings and privilege. I
continue to be haunted by the events of October 6 and the brutality of
Hamas against the Israelis in Gaza. As some hostages are freed we learn
about the inhuman conditions in which they were held and the reality
that more people are captive and may never be released. </p><p style="text-align: left;">So,
my devotions come and remind me that God is everywhere - everywhere.
In the wonder of this chapter in my life and in the tunnels underneath
hospitals in Gaza. God is everywhere. I trust that and live in despair
and hope at the same time. And wait. </p><p style="text-align: left;">"Be alert" Jesus says. "To pay attention is our endless and proper work" writes Mary Oliver.</p>It is Advent. A time of waiting and preparation.margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-50739138079507300052023-12-04T11:38:00.001-05:002023-12-04T16:01:00.909-05:00Advent<p>This is my favorite time of the year. Advent - the four weeks before our celebration of Christmas, a time of waiting and preparation. Those are the words I would say every year to the congregation to try to explain. What I have learned is that every year is different and this year is no exception. This year I am aware of the ways in which new traditions intersect with the old.<br /></p><p> A year ago I sold my house in Columbus and gave away and threw away a whole lot of Christmas decorations. The artificial tree that I used to set up with my grandchildren is gone - as are some lights, candles, crosses, nativities, dishes, ornaments, and pictures. This is a new chapter and John and I are establishing - slowly and somewhat intentionally - new traditions. Last year we bought two birch Christmas trees with sparkling lights that sit in the living room. We also got two reindeer that are on the hearth. An ornament that from Germany is on the trees as well as candy canes. There are stockings with our names on them in front of the fireplace. This is a beginning.</p><p>Also on the hearth is a nativity that my mother bought me fifty some years ago. The pieces are somewhat plain and carved out of wood and housed in a "stable" with a straw roof on it. Over the years many of the pieces have disappeared - including baby Jesus. We are missing a cow, a shepherd and a sheep for sure. There was one year that one of the girls put a ransom note on the manger saying that Jesus had been kidnapped. I guess you had to be there. I bought a new baby and manger in Israel that is made of olive wood and it is very meaningful to me. I also added a large angel over the top of the stable. I love it for its imperfections and all of my memories of putting it up and putting it down every year. Sometimes with my daughters, other times with grandchildren and often alone. <br /></p><p>Advent for me is really about waiting for Jesus to be born again. Or to show up. I love the imagery of the story. I love the angels that come to Mary and the Shepherds. I love the dreams that guide Joseph and the Wise men. I love the star in the sky that leads the Wise men - first to Jerusalem and the court of Herod the corrupt and duplicitous King - and eventually to this humble place where Mary cares for her baby. I love the song "Mary did you know" and believe that she did not know at all what was ahead for this child or for herself. She is a picture of faith - doing the next thing you are called to do even when you don't know. You just trust. </p><p>It is often in reflection that we see how the events came together so perfectly to take us in new directions that change our lives and the lives of other people. But most of the time we live in "I don't know" about the future and just try to take the next step that appears. <br /></p><p>Yesterday morning I stood at the window looking out at Hoover Reservoir which I could not see. There was a misty fog and I could only see the bare trees, the leaves on the ground, the chairs silhouetted against the white haze. I thought that this is my life this Advent. As we put our lives together, as we live with health questions, as we wonder what is coming next we wait. Waiting for the mist to clear, waiting to see what is next, waiting for the picture to fill in. </p><p>Advent is my favorite time of the year. The waiting in the darkness at times but always waiting in hope. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-354201501098429552023-09-12T08:50:00.001-04:002023-09-12T08:50:09.228-04:00Beside Still Waters<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My favorite
place is sitting on a chair that faces Hoover Reservoir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning we sit and listen to “Pray as
You Go” and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write in my journal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the evening we often <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>watch the sun go down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are usually quiet - just looking at the scene
in front of us. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve learned
sitting at Hoover is different every day.. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water itself changes almost moment by
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it is like a mirror,
other times there are little waves or ripples, or it can look like stripes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or even a checkerboard . Kayaks come and go,
fishermen wave, an occasional paddle board or pontoon appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The watercraft big and small stir the water
and leave <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>streaks and lines on the
surface. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We see and
hear the birds - the gulls, the ospreys, the ducks, the cormorons, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the egrets, the herons. The eagles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come and go and startle us with their
grandeur or amuse us with their sounds or amaze us with an unmoving pose on a
rock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The sky
overhead changes with the wind and the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes mottled grey, other times bright(sky?) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>blue, the clouds resembling fluffy <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cotton balls or ominous mist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birds float and fly, dive and soar and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit and watch and see it all.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think to
myself that this is life: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
interconnected and we affect one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like the wind affects the water, and the water affects the boats. And
all of it affects me! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And nothing
stays the same <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- nothing. I call to John
to come see a bird and it is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sunset is going to be glorious I think and ten minutes later it has dissipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take a picture but it can never capture the
subtle colors or the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>varied textures
found in nature. This is my refuge. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Last Sunday
I was so happy to share it with my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Following our celebration on Saturday, we <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sat in a semi circle <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>facing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the reservoir and each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geoff and Vicky, Wayne and Gail, Tom, Audrey,
Dawn and Jason, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and me and John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lazy Sunday afternoon conversation -
talking about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kids and grandkids, our
health and a little bit of politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate
watermelon and savored the blessedness of the weekend.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I brought out
the blocks of wood that contain advice for us - the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>septegenarian and octogenarian newlyweds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each person reads a couple <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and we build a tower together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laugh at some advice, and nod wisely at
other suggestions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes separate
bathrooms are good</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So is
letting Margot play pickleball whenever she wants</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And we appreciate
the admonitions <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to Moisturize and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not
to get pregnant</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe the
best ones are the simplest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen,
breathe,. Cuddle, say “I love you every day..”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When we are
all done we admire the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>building that has
been constructed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then Audrey starts
the game of Jenga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the perfect
game for us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As each
person takes a turn, they remove a block and then carefully, carefully place it
on the building. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to get it as
high as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We work together. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We want the
game to go on as long <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as it can. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want the structure to grow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I look at
the faces of my beloved family watching <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>each
person gingerly removing a block - they are smiling and anxious and we are all <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rooting for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is as if we cannot breathe for a moment as
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our creation moves precariously in the
wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We go
through one round and everyone gets to play. Then we start into round two. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>becomes
clear that it is harder and harder to find available blocks to remove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually my brother removes a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>block but every time he goes to place it, the
whole thing wobbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife joins him
and they try to hold it together but of course, it falls apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is much <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>laughter followed by everyone literally
picking up the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pieces.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These are my
people and this is my new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
found a respite this afternoon together savoring the blessing of a summer
afternoon and each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have lived through and carry the struggles of
life within us - a failing business, cancer, family estrangements, broken
relationships, financial troubles, addicted children.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And like the
scene before us <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we know that we are
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knowing that nothing will stay the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are a family.</span></p>
margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-74506341677276982242023-08-22T16:13:00.005-04:002023-08-22T16:13:47.834-04:00A Four Fold Franciscan Blessing<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><strong>I saw this on facebook and don't want to lose it! <br /></strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><strong>Four-Fold Franciscan blessing…</strong></em></p><p style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><em><strong>May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, </strong></em><em><strong>so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart. </strong></em></p><p style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><em><strong> </strong></em><em><strong>May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, </strong></em><em><strong>so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.</strong></em></p><p style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><em><strong> </strong></em><em><strong>May
God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from
pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, </strong></em><em><strong>so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy. </strong></em></p><p style="color: #3f3151; font-family: Georgia; text-align: center;"><em><strong> </strong></em><em><strong>May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, </strong></em><em><strong>so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.</strong></em></p><p> </p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-24172721012572587162023-07-06T22:01:00.000-04:002023-07-06T22:01:02.838-04:00Family Matters<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Family Matters</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This morning
my brother sent me his late wife’s electronic diary - notes on the summer of
94.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the summer that my dad was
dying although we didn’t realize it for a long time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He had been
stricken with a bout of pancreatitis in April of that year while visiting the
west coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ended up being
hospitalized in California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother’s
sister and her husband, Sam and Shirley, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>drove down from Mukilteo Washington and stayed
in a motel for at least a week to support my mother through this difficult
time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally, he
was strong enough to fly home to Southern Shores North Carolina and their retirement
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That spring he continued to be in
pain and lose weight and endure lots of testing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, it was decided that he had cancer
in his colon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In June, Eighteen year old
Marnie and I drove there to be with my mother during the operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was strange to see my 6’3” father who was
always larger than life in a weakened condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believed that he would soon recover and be
back to being his golf playing, barbershop singing, and always joking self. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We saw him
again in July as we went down to vacation at the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was hospitalized again as there was still
something wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that he had
cancer - they just didn’t know what kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was sure he was wrong - they had found the cancer and it was
curable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My sister in
law’s diary picks up the story in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August
as he was again in the hospital in Norfolk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For two weeks there are lots of notations about phone calls among us sharing
the information that trickled in about his condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lived all over the country - I was in
Ohio, Wayne in Maryland, Geoff in New York and my sister Ellen in
California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My mother,
who was receiving chemo for her ovarian cancer during this time, would call one
of us and report what the doctor said and then we would inform each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was August 18<sup>th</sup> that she called
me and said that the doctor “can’t prove it but he’s sure Pop has pancreatic
cancer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diary reads: “Margot called
Ellen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wayne called Geoff. “ We kept
each other informed all the way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What the
diary reminded me was how my siblings were coming and going to North
Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pastoring in Bowling
Green and made plans to come in mid September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Per my brother Wayne’s suggestion, the week before my father died, I
abandoned the lectionary and preached from the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have that sermon.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
beginning of September we knew that the end was coming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On September 2nd my mother called <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and said plaintively : <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I said good bye to him and went home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he did not die.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been convinced that I did not need to say
goodbye: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved him and I knew he
loved me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that phone call, I
changed my mind and made arrangements to have someone else preach on Labor Day
weekend and immediately flew into Norfolk.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">September 3<sup>rd</sup>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw my Dad for the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister in law’s diary described him:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“He lies in
bed with his mouth permanently open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
head is very thin and with his teeth very prominent, his visage is almost skeletal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But he was
my Dad and I told him I loved him and read to him from the Bible - John 14: 1-6
which includes - “In my fathers house are many rooms, I go to prepare a place
for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six years later I would read
the same passage at my mother’s bedside. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Then Wayne
and Mom and I left Norfolk and drove <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back to Southern Shores. I ended up sleeping
on the couch in the living room and at 1 am <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>answered the phone as the nurse informed me
that he had passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom woke up
and we stayed up for a few more hours talking and crying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a night - and a week - that I will
never forget. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The dying
and death of my father is probably a touchstone for me in understanding the
enormous gift of family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carol writes
this:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Every child
had a role to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wayne was an
organizer of lists (food, lodging, flowers, who to call, what to do)
accompanied his mother to the funeral home and probate office, and at the
request of Margot developed and delivered a short personal speech about Pop at
the Memorial Service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Margot has been
the spiritual and grieving advisor to her mom and siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geoff did a lot of prep in the week he was
there and will take over the payment of medical bills and Mom Mom’s Dupont
affairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ellen convinced Mom Mom to get
rid of both cars and buy a new one..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
did the food and flowers.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My mother’s
sister and her husband were invaluable at the beginning of this journey and she
stayed with my mother for a month after the funeral. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
siblings held each other up and together throughout all the questions and
confusion of long distance concern for our beloved dad <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the pain and grief of his <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>funeral.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As I look
back, I wish I had done more and been more available and aware of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my mother’s pain and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fear and grief throughout it all. At the same
time, I recognize <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my brothers and
sisters filled the gaps taking turns checking in and visiting and caring for
Dad and Mom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live in gratitude to have
a family that knows how to show up and be present in the hardest time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It is true -
Family matters. </span></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-57402851061785536972023-07-06T09:14:00.005-04:002023-07-06T09:20:50.817-04:00New Beginnings<p>A week ago John and I got married. Our minister, Tim Ahrens, came out to the house and we stood on "Spearhead Point" and said our vows to each other facing Hoover Reservoir. It was an intimate and meaningful service for both of us.</p><p>Afterward we shared a glass of champagne with our pastor. That evening we saw all the girls and grandkids and shared our news and champagne again. A day later Kacey posted the news on facebook and now most everybody has heard.</p><p>A friend from college, recently widowed texted me this yesterday: "I so admire you for the courage to remarry. Well done!"</p><p>There is no question that it takes courage to begin again in a new relationship. Especially at our ages. Both John and I have had to make accommodations as we have gotten to know each other over the past year and a half. I won't go into the difference between us, but they are there. For example, one of us is quieter by nature and more particular in how things are done. I won't tell which one. I have a large family and he has been introduced to everyone through several road trips and all the family holidays that are always noisy and game filled. We have been to six weddings in a year and John has had to meet lot and lots of new people through me. <br /></p><p>We have found much that we have in common. We also have joined a church together and usually our Sundays are worship, lunch, a movie and reading the New York Times together. We have found a peace and harmony in our daily life and I am aware of what a great team we make as we face the issues of life together. </p><p>I am happy to love again and have someone who loves me. I am happy to have someone to care for as well. I found this Poem by Mary Oliver who expresses how I feel about this rare blessing of "Late in life love." It feels like a gift and we both believe that somehow God has brought us together. We celebrate the new beginning and do NOT want to take our miracle for granted.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; font-family: "Playfair Display"; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Not Anyone Who Says by Mary Oliver</h3><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Not anyone who says, “I’m going to be<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />careful and smart in matters of love,”<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />who says, “I’m going to choose slowly,”<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />but only those lovers who didn’t choose at all<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />but were, as it were, chosen<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />by something invisible and powerful and uncontrollable<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />and beautiful and possibly even<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />unsuitable —<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />only those know what I’m talking about<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />in this talking about love.</p><p></p><p><br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-14563334254028707362023-06-22T08:59:00.006-04:002023-06-22T08:59:46.118-04:00Hope is a good thing<div>I drink my coffee this morning out of my mug that says HOPE. And remember the poem by Emily Dickinson that begins with these lines:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Hope is the thing with feathers</div><div>that perches in the soul,</div><div>And sings the tune without the words,</div><div>and never stops at all."</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="field field--body"><p>So today John and I go to the doctor to see about the results of his procedure last week. We received some information last night that gives us hope and I feel myself lighter - with a brighter mood and less heaviness inside of me. </p><p>I have always been a woman of hope who trusts that ultimately all will be well. The last few weeks have been challenging as we have been living in the waiting and the not knowing time. But today something has shifted inside of me and I can feel it.</p><p>Last night John and I sat outside at 9:06 PM to watch the spectacular solstice sunset that was there for everyone to see. And the blessing was that we DID see it and savored it. The seasons pass, the days come and go and in the midst of all of it there is our God of beauty, creativity, love and mystery.</p><p>And it gives me hope.</p><p>Here is a blessing for today from Maxine Shonk's book <u>Blessing Upon Blessing:</u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May the God of HOPE be with you,</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>inspiring, calling, inviting you to dream and believe in possibilities.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May you trust the dream that is forming in you </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>and may your uplifted face and courageous spirit inspire others who have lost hope.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>May the blessing of HOPE be with you.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Amen</i></p></div></div>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-18032530772282982672023-06-21T08:10:00.001-04:002023-06-21T08:10:11.239-04:00Refreshment<p>One of the blessings of my life right now is that I am leading a Bible study at First Congregational Church. The church had not had a Bible study for a couple of years since the pandemic and they reached out to the retired pastors in the congregation (there are many!) asking who might be interested in leading one and I volunteered with Larry Miller, a retired Presbyterian Minister.</p><p>It was decided that we would study the book of Acts and I am in the midst of preparing for Sunday. The opening question from the study guide is: where do you find refreshment? I think it is appropriate to consider during this time of waiting.</p><p>Refreshment for me comes so often from nature. I am blessed to be living in a house in the woods by the water. It is a gift to look at the window and see the trees in all of their splendor and wonder. The water is different every single morning - sometimes like a mirror and other times full of ripples and patterns. Something happens to me soul when I just look - gaze - drink it all in. It reminds me of the patterns of life and death, and the constant changes that are part of life. It is beautiful and mysterious and comforting all at once. </p><p>My hope and prayer is that I will also get to the beach this summer. The ocean draws me with the constant waves, the ancient sand, the magnificent birds and the changing sky. Just thinking about it calms my spirit. God is there in the creation and I am part of the wonder of the universe. </p><p>As I begin this day I have another act of refreshment - awareness of breath. I pause and breathe in the love that God has for me and breathe out my anxiety and fear. God is here and I am here to be with God.</p><p>May I remember that today. May I be refreshed.<br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-67345362750975349402023-06-15T08:31:00.002-04:002023-06-15T08:33:55.878-04:00Disorientation<p>Many years ago in a class on the book of Psalms I learned about how Walter Brueggemann characterized the Psalms into three categories - Orientation, Disorientation and Reorientation. And he said that often churches emphasize the Psalms of Orientation - "Everything is fine" and Reorientation - "Everything is better."</p><p>The fact of the matter is that we also go through times of disorientation when it feels like the ground has shifted and we don't know what is going on. As John has had health problems, that is exactly the way I have felt. We have been living in limbo waiting to find out if there is cancer and how serious that might be. Time of disorientation mean that you don't get to make plans for the future because you are not sure what the future is going to be.</p><p>I think about how often over the years I have booked a vacation house six months in advance or a cruise a year ahead. These days we have vague plans, but always with a question mark that may be answered in the next doctor's appointment or surgical procedure.</p><p>John had that procedure two days ago and now there are more answers and fewer questions. We know that the worst diagnosis did not happen and we are probably looking at surgery this summer. There is a sense within me of things settling down and becoming somewhat stable. </p><p>Which of course, always brings me to the question and the answer of faith. The purpose of the Psalms of disorientation is to speak to the reality of life - those times when we wonder where God is and in the questioning there is a conversation with one who is with us. That is faith. </p><p>It has been a season of struggle and endurance waiting. At the same time knowing that I am not alone - that others walk this walk more than I have. And that our Holy One is our constant companion in the times of shadow and darkness. </p><p>Here is an example of a Psalm of Disorientation. The questions are always there but so is the comfort and trust :"But I trust in your unfailing love."<br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; display: block; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-13-1" id="en-NIV-14076">Psalm 13</span></h3><h4 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-13-1"><br /></span></h4><div class="poetry" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-13-1" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">1 </sup>How long,<span> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>? Will you forget me<span> </span>forever?</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-1" style="position: relative;">How long will you hide your face<span> </span>from me?</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-13-2" id="en-NIV-14077" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </sup>How long must I wrestle with my thoughts</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-2" style="position: relative;">and day after day have sorrow in my heart?</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-2" style="position: relative;">How long will my enemy triumph over me?</span></span></p></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-13-3" id="en-NIV-14078" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </sup>Look on me<span> </span>and answer,<span> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span> </span>my God.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-3" style="position: relative;">Give light to my eyes,<span> </span>or I will sleep in death,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-13-4" id="en-NIV-14079" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </sup>and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-4" style="position: relative;">and my foes will rejoice when I fall.</span></span></p></div><div class="poetry top-05" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-13-5" id="en-NIV-14080" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </sup>But I trust in your unfailing love;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-5" style="position: relative;">my heart rejoices in your salvation.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-13-6" id="en-NIV-14081" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </sup>I will sing<span> </span>the<span> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s praise,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-13-6" style="position: relative;">for he has been good to me.</span></span></p></div><p></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-67477860836193807132023-05-28T08:21:00.003-04:002023-06-13T08:29:32.288-04:00Waiting<p>Hopefully in faith. And it is almost over.<br /></p><p>Two weeks ago, John was in the
hospital with pancreatitis and now we wait for another test which may
tell us the origins of this illness. I move in and out of anxiety about
it.</p><p>As a pastor, I have watched people living in this state of
waiting for news. We have been there quite a bit this year as John had
an MRI in December and a biopsy in January. Each time there was the
waiting for the results. Which eventually showed that he has prostate
cancer.</p><p>Then there was the waiting to see the doctor and find out
what the protocol will be. Eventually we found out that he will be
taking pills and occasional injections and maybe radiation in the
summer. We learned that this is not a death sentence - but LIVING with
cancer. We can do that. We are doing that.</p><p>Now there is a new issue and a new time of waiting. Unavoidable waiting.</p><p>What
I know to be true is that it is hard to wait and not know and not
speculate and make up stories and start to make plans in my head based
on the stories I have concocted. For me, waiting in faith is waiting in
a suspended state and just LIVE with the unknown.</p><p>I write this today as we will go to get the endoscopy. The bad news that we learned yesterday is that we STILL won't find out what is happening for another 10 days - until he sees the doctor. I know I am not alone in this but I really had no idea how hard it can be to not know. </p><p>My mantra is from St Theresa of Avila:<br /></p><p><i>"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."</i></p><p>I do believe that. And I also believe that God is with us in everything. <i> <br /></i></p><p>Last
night John said to me - the best part of life is love. Yes! And so I
look for love and joy in the midst of waiting. Here is a quote from
Mary Oliver: </p><p> <br /></p><h4 class="wp-block-heading" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #666666; font-family: "Gentium Book Basic", serif; font-size: 2rem; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.375em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; line-height: inherit;">Don’t Hesitate</i><span> </span>– Mary Oliver</h4><pre class="wp-block-verse has-text-align-left" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: monospace, monospace; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2; orphans: 2; overflow: auto; padding: 1.5em; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don't hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that's often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.</pre><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>the <br /></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-67373400733894008182023-05-23T09:47:00.003-04:002023-05-23T13:49:31.514-04:00Can people change?<p>That is the question that I was given to respond to in "Storyworth" which my daughter Kacey gave me for Christmas. I thought I would share my response to it here.</p><p><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I believe that people can change. That is really foundational to my faith - people can change. I can change my attitude, my body, my circumstances and my health.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Part of the change is healing. Trauma, grief and illness can lead us into a time of disorientation and pain. But healing from all of this is possible. I just heard about the death of a friend’s husband and thought that she will now go into that dark spiral of grief. I lived in and through that for two years and eventually the fog lifted and I was able to “come back to life.” The life I have come back to is different from the previous one and I have changed in some ways. But I did not remain in that place of darkness. I believe that is possible for everyone.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I have heard people tell me that they used to be shy and now they are not or they used to be more gregarious and now they prefer much more times of solitude. I do not know what brings those changes but I know they do happen.I have seen people who used to be more anxious and fearful and controlling become calmer and more at peace with the challenges and ambiguity of life.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes faith can make a discernible difference. I have been on silent retreats and experienced the loving and gracious presence of God and that becomes a factor for me in living more peacefully and trusting that “all will be well.” I encounter many people who have - usually because of their childhood upbringing - huge insecurities about who they are and whether they are acceptable or loveable. There is a mystery here in how an experience of God’s presence (sometimes demonstrated in loving care of a person or a community) can begin to fill that empty place within them. All I can say is that i have seen people change and learn to love themselves and live in a more life affirming way.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Now, at the same time I know that there are aspects of ourselves that may not change. As one who appreciates the insights of Meyers Briggs typology - heart (emotionally) oriented people begin there and the intuitive will not easily delve into the details of life. (speaking of myself). However, even in this, self knowledge can help us to recognize our shadow and not get triggered as easily. But blind spots are blind spots and that contributes to the lack of change.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">In summary, the difference my faith makes is this: I believe that there is a life giving, healing presence in this world that loves us and seeks to move us to wholeness and unity and peace. We might call it God and that is a continual source of change for all of us as we allow the spirit to move us. To grow us.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">We cooperate with the change that God desires for us as we "loosen our grip." I love this writing by Ted Loder</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <br /></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>O God, it is hard for me to let go, most times, and the squeeze I exert garbles me and gnarls others.</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>So, loosen my grip a bit on the good times, on the moments of sunlight and star shine and joy, that the thousand graces they scatter as they pass may nurture growth in me rather than turn to brittle memories.</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Loosen my grip on those grudges and grievances I hold so closely that I may risk exposing myself to the spirit of forgiving and forgiveness that changes things and resurrects dreams and courage.</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Loosen my grip on my fears that I may be released a little into humility and into an acceptance of my humanity ...</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Loosen my grip on my ways and words ... that letting go into the depths of silence and my own uncharted longing, I may find myself held by you and linked anew to all life in this wild and wondrous world you love so much. so I may take to heart that you have taken me to heart</b></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #042a21; font-family: GTSuperTextBook, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-41957478155546349992023-05-01T09:57:00.001-04:002023-05-01T09:57:34.864-04:00Doesn't everything die?<p>Those words are from a poem by Mary Oliver called "The Summer Day." The line is: "Doesn't everything die at last and too soon?"</p><p>Yes, of course. And it is hard when it does. In yesterday's New York Times Maureen Dowd wrote an article called "Requiem for the Newsroom." She writes that back in the 70's newsrooms were a "crackling gaggle of gossip, jokes anxiety oddball hilarious characters. Now we sit at home alone staring at our computers. What a drag. " I know my dear friend Susan knows exactly what she was talking about. </p><p>I was looking at facebook today and saw that yet another church from my denomination was closing and becoming "a legacy church." It just made me sad. I keep seeing once vibrant churches shrink and often die. Our camping program that had every week of camp filled with campers seems to have fewer young people every years. And I remember what it once was - a place where lives were literally changed and people connected on a deep level. For many of us it was truly the best week of the summer.</p><p>I was a camp counselor, an assistant director, and a faculty member at various camps for decades. With Mary Wood, I helped to create our still successful Grandparents Camp. This is the first summer in forty years that I will not be going to camp at all. I am 74 years old now and I think it really is time. It is bittersweet. I will miss going and engaging with the kids as well as the other volunteers. And it is just now the same camp experience. </p><p>All of this is life, of course. Everything dies - institutions, churches, news gathering organizations, and people. Death brings sadness and some regret. At the same time, I believe that God is a creating and recreating source of life and new life and there is always something more and something new happening. As I look at the changes in churches over the years I really do wonder what is happening. What is the something new? </p><p>I guess as I write this - that is the definition of faith. The belief that while I do not see it right now, God is at work and creating a new way of leading people to a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. When I think of myself as a Christian, the language is use now is that I am a follower of Jesus. Christianity is about a way of life. What that includes is: humility, wonder, service, grace, gratitude, compassion, simplicity, unity and love. This is a stance that is very different from many of the messages of our culture which encourage competitiveness, divisiveness, consumerism, materialism and individualism. How do my grandchildren learn about this other way of being in the world?</p><p>I don't know. But I trust that under the surface and more than I know - there are books, music, people, movies, gatherings and other ways that they can experience what we had a Camp and in Youth group in our day. I also know that even though I am old and retired, God is not done with me - or any of us - in doing whatever we are called to do to show and live out our faith in the abiding love of God.</p><p>Here is the poem by Mary Oliver</p><p><br /></p><pre style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?</pre><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">—Mary Oliver</p><p></p><br /><p></p>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-89794250921991177042023-04-13T11:54:00.003-04:002023-04-13T11:59:30.994-04:00A new poemI am getting ready to officiate the wedding of Sara and Chris at the end of this month. Their love story parallels mine with John. I facilitated their introduction a year ago and watched them fall in love over the summer and fall. Sara introduced me to this poem by Hafiz , a mystical sufi poet.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <b><span style="mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">I KNOW THE WAY YOU CAN GET</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br />
</span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br />
I know the way you can get<br />
When you have not had a drink of Love:<br />
<br />
Your face hardens,<br />
Your sweet muscles cramp.<br />
Children become concerned<br />
About a strange look that appears in your eyes<br />
Which even begins to worry your own mirror<br />
And nose.<br />
<br />
Squirrels and birds sense your sadness<br />
And call an important conference in a tall tree.<br />
They decide which secret code to chant<br />
To help your mind and soul.<br />
<br />
Even angels fear that brand of madness<br />
That arrays itself against the world<br />
And throws sharp stones and spears into<br />
The innocent<br />
And into one's self.<br />
<br />
O I know the way you can get<br />
If you have not been drinking Love:<br />
<br />
You might rip apart<br />
Every sentence your friends and teachers say,<br />
Looking for hidden clauses.<br />
<br />
You might weigh every word on a scale<br />
Like a dead fish.<br />
<br />
You might pull out a ruler to measure<br />
From every angle in your darkness<br />
The beautiful dimensions of a heart you once<br />
Trusted.<br />
<br />
I know the way you can get<br />
If you have not had a drink from Love's<br />
Hands.<br />
<br />
That is why all the Great Ones speak of<br />
The vital need<br />
To keep remembering God,<br />
So you will come to know and see Him<br />
As being so Playful<br />
And Wanting,<br />
Just Wanting to help.<br />
<br />
That is why Hafiz says:<br />
Bring your cup near me.<br />
For all I care about<br />
Is quenching your thirst for freedom!<br />
<br />
All a Sane man can ever care about<br />
Is giving Love!”</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal">I love this: "I know the way you can get..." <o:p></o:p></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal">In our family we know how we can get when we are hungry (hangry, right?) and I know how I can get when I have not slept enough and I know how I can get when I am under stress and I know how I can get when I am feeling afraid and anxious. It may not always be immediately visible, but inside me there is a clenching, a hardness, a terrible tension. And I can get inwardly judgmental and critical. (sometimes outwardly!)</p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal">I like how the poet writes: I know the way you can get "I<i>f you have not had a drink from Love's Hands. That is why all the Great Ones speak of the vital need to keep remembering God."</i></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal">For some people, faith is an "if then" proposition: that my faith and good works will result in God's favor. For me, it is almost the opposite. My faith - remembering there is a God and it is not me, there is a God who is loving, protecting, eternal - results in my inner peace, spaciousness, and freedom to love. When I <i>remember </i>I can soften and let go and trust. For me, drinking from Love's Hands can mean stopping, listening, looking, praying, BEING. </p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal">Psalm 46 is one of my favorites because it has the lines - "Be still and know that I am God." It begins with an experience of tumult with a picture of earth giving way, mountains falling, waters roaring and foaming. In the midst of troubles and fears God is present - an ever present help. The Psalmist like the poet Hafiz has the same understanding - remember. Be still and drink from Love's hands. </p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal">Because otherwise - I know the way you can get.</p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><p class="yiv2304569382ydp63bd3a6fmsonormal"><br /></p><br /></div></div></div>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-24403907651507287332023-03-14T09:01:00.002-04:002023-03-14T09:09:22.091-04:00FaithI just finished reading a wonderful book by a Buddhist writer: Sharon Salzberg called<u> Faith.: Trusting your own Deepest Experience. <br /></u><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Her definition of faith is different from our usual Chrisian teachings. She writes:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Faith does not require a belief system, and is not necessarily connected to a deity or God, though it doesn't deny one. This faith is not a commodity we either have or don't have - it is an inner quality that unfolds as we learn to trust our own deepest experience."</div><div><br /></div><div>My definition of faith has always been in relationship to God - that my faith IS my relationship to God. This understanding is about life itself and the reality of impermanence and at the same time the love that is everywhere. </div><div>To quote her: "The Buddha said, "Faith is the beginning of all good things." No matter what we encounter in life, it is faith that enables us to try again, to trust again, to love again. Even in times of immense suffering, it is faith that enables us to realte to the present moment in such a way that we can go on, we can move forward, instead of becoming lost in resignation or despair."</div><div><br /></div><div>My life has been a roller coast for the last few years. The loss of Chuck and the resulting grief and then meeting John and the wonder of new love again. I just sit here this morning in gratitude for all of it and for my faith that helps me to let go of fear and anxiety live in the moment and trust the love dreanched universe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a prayer by Ted Loder that speaks to me.</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Loosen My Grip</b></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> O God, it is hard for me to let go. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Please loosen my grip on those grudges </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> and grievances I hold so closely. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> that I may risk exposing myself </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> to the spirit of forgiving and forgiveness </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> that changes things </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> and resurrects dreams and courage. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Loosen my grip on my fears </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> release me a little into humility </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> and into an acceptance of my humanity. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Release me from the ominous fear </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> of thinking some sin or failure of mine </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> can separate me from you. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Release me from the dark fury </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> of assuming I am unloved </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> when the day calls for sacrifice </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> and the night for courage. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Loosen my grip on myself </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> for to reach out </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> is to know myself held; </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> to laugh at myself </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> is to be carried on the easiness of your grace; </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> to attend to each moment </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> is to hear the faint melody of eternity. </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Loosen my grip on my fears and fretfulness </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> so that letting go </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> into the depths of silence </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> I may find myself held by you </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> and linked anew to all life </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> in this wild and wondrous world </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> you love so much, </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> so I may take to heart </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> that you have taken me to heart.</p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> Amen </p></div><div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4"><p style="text-align: center;"> -Ted Loder</p></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a prayer that speaks to me this morning. </div>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-66250267458114824502023-01-17T09:18:00.001-05:002023-01-17T09:21:25.777-05:00Martin Luther King Jr
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
am now writing a weekly email that goes to my daughters in response to a prompt
from Kacey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is for “Storyworth” and
at the end of the year it will be put into a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty neat!<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">Top of Form</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
week the question was:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you
experience the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what I wrote:</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would like to tell you that I was absolutely
devastated the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. I would like
to write that I had cherished his writings and his speeches and knew him to be
the important prophet, preacher and activist of the civil rights movement. But
I cannot.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
was definitely aware of the event of his murder. It was April 4, 1968 and I was
a freshman at Hanover College. At that time in my life, my focus was on whether
or not Henry Martin would ask me out and activities of the Alpha Delta Pi
sorority and my classwork. Probably in that order.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
I reflect back on my teens and early twenties, I realize that I was barely
aware of the importance of the civil rights movement that was happening at the
time. I was not entirely ignorant. In high school I had discovered the writings
of James Baldwin and I recognized the reality of racism. We moved in 1966 from
the racial diversity of West Chester, Pennsylvania to the all white Birmingham.
Michigan. I was - with all the self righteousness of the young - indignant at
the exclusivity of this community.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At
the same time, I have a distinct memory of the Detroit riots. I was working at
the dry cleaners and our presser, an African American woman named Ellie, lived
in downtown Detroit. She was unable to get out of the city for a week to come
to work. I did not begin to understand the reasons behind the riots - I only
knew how it inconvenienced daily life. The protests were a problem to my sense
of order.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
has only been through readings, movies, workshops and life experiences in the
past fifty years that I have come to grasp the reality of the stain of slavery
that has effected our nation since its beginning. Its ramifications are still
experienced to this day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About
ten years ago I went to the Quadrennial for women in my denomination that was
in Atlanta Georgia. I went on a tour of the church where Martin Luther King
preached. (where Rafeal Warnock is now). What is clear to me is that the church
and his faith were foundational to his life and his message. He trusted that
God was leading him to speak his truth - not only about racism but also about
the evils of the war in Vietnam and the poverty in our nation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
I pastored Karl Road Christian Church I attended and hosted many celebrations
of Martin Luther King Jr. At those occasions, people - white and black - would
share reminiscences of the day of his death. Some had walked with him
protesting or heard him speak. I am always quiet knowing that my journey has been
a slow awakening to my own ignorance, unconsciousness and self centeredness
that is comfortable with the status quo until someone has the courage to name
the evil in our midst.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #042a21; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even
at the cost of losing his life.</span></p>
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<![endif]-->margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-12460279301123157842023-01-08T08:44:00.003-05:002023-01-08T09:07:32.140-05:00ReadingLast year I made a plan to read 75 books and once I started dating John that pretty much went by the wayside. The reading I have done in the past has been a lot of audio books as I walk or live in the house.<div>These days most of my books have been on kindle reading books I get through the library.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I have one book going - "Dinner With Ruth "- by Nina Totenberg which is about her relationship with Ruth Ginsberg. I love it and am reading it slowly. I am getting ready to go on a trip to Phoenix and Kim lent me the latest Louise Penny book and I look forward to reading that.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I look through my books from the past year I can see there has definitely been a theme. I have my regular authors that I read - John Grisham, John Sandford, Michael Connelly and Louise Penny. None of these ever disappoint. I started the past year reading everything I could by Adrian McKinty, who writes about an Irish detective. Before that I read through Anne Cleves books about Jimmy Perez. It is fun and satisfying to find a writer and follow a character. What these books have in common is a central character who is essentially "Good ." I am at the point when I read books or watch TV or movies - that if there are no likeable characters I stop reading or watching. </div><div><br /></div><div>This past year I have read at least 10 books about the Trump administration and politics in general - like David Axelrod's "Believer", Lis Smith's "Any Given Tuesday", Mark Liebovitch's "Thank you for your Servitude", Peter Baker's "The Divider', Maggie Haberman's "Confidence Man." I think I am done for a while. There is something about the political process that fascinates me. It can be as much of a calling as ministry or teaching. </div><div><br /></div><div>My guilty pleasure is reading biographies of famous people. I really enjoyed "The Palace Papers" by Tina Brown and "Live Wire" by Kelly Ripa. We all have complicated lives and are working through questions of meaning and purpose and living in the wonder and messiness of family life.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then there are the spiritual books that I slowly savor. Right now it is "Common Sense Spirituality" by David Steindl-Rast. I have been spending time with this book for over a month. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I write this I realize that reading is an important part of my being "centered." Like every activity, it is "both and." Reading can be an activity that stimulates the mind and opens us to new ideas and it can be like a narcotic numbing us and closing us off from people. Over my life, it has worked in both ways for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year I am not going to guess how many books I will read. I hope to read more "literature" and books that will stretch me. I was looking up quotes about reading and like what CS Lewis writes:</div><div>"We read to know we are not alone." YES - and it is a special blessing to share the books with others and understand that we are on this mysterious journey of life together. And reading helps!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Smith and Live Wire by Keppy Ripa. </div>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-46145822847411223102023-01-02T12:25:00.001-05:002023-01-02T12:25:32.446-05:00Happy New YearIt is actually January 2nd but it is my first post of this new year - 2023. <div><br /></div><div>We had a New Year's Eve party and I shared trivia about some of the things that people do to welcome in the new year. We partied and drank champagne at midnight and said Happy New Year! Yesterday on the first we had pork, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut with Marnie's family and last night John and I each ate 12 grapes for good luck. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then there is the question of resolutions or "intentions." Yesterday a word emerged when I was praying. It is going to be my word for the year. That word is CENTERING.</div><div><br /><div>As I look back on the past year I am in wonder at all the changes that have happened in my life. Last year I traveled a lot - trips to Shaker Heights, Florida, North Carolina, Chicago and Europe. I am no longer working at a church. I am now living with and engaged to John Anderson. And I sold the last house I will ever own. In some ways, I feel like I am still catching up with myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Those are the outward changes and then there are the inward changes. There has been healing from years of deep grief . And whatever happens inside of us as we live into the reality of the changes in body and mind through aging. I live with more fear of falling, more awareness of the effects of sun damage on the skin, more concerns about forgetfulness. There is whatever happens inside of me when I look at my laugh lines (aka wrinkles). There can be a disconnect between who I think I am and who I see in the mirror. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The point is, as life inexorably changes, I can get overwhelmed. My only hope is to have practices that help me to CENTER myself on God's presence, love and guidance. That is how I have a hope of finding something that looks like "inner peace." </div><div><br /></div><div>So, my word for the year is CENTERING and my intention is to engage in practices which will help me to find the still small voice within. There is such a thing as a centering prayer as described by Father Thomas Keating. That is good but my use of the word centering includes other practices. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- <b>Breathing -</b> Breath prayers - breathing in the love and breathing out the anxiety</div><div>- <b>Gazing </b>- looking at nature and what God wants to reveal. Someone once said that creation is God's first language. Gazing at a tree, or a cloud, or a bird, or the water and asking God to show me can be very helpful. I am so blessed to be living in a house of windows - so that when the weather is too cool to sit outside, I can still gaze outside.</div><div>- <b>Music </b>- either playing or listening. Sitting and hearing music and allowing it to fill my soul can center me in ways that nothing else can.</div><div><b>- Reading </b>- I have a home full of books that I can dip in and out of. Reading slowing and savoring and asking myself what is the word to me today. It can center me.</div><div>-<b>"Pray as you Go" </b>- This podcast is always helpful. It begins with music and includes a scripture and questions for reflection. It often reveals a message that I need in that moment. </div><div>-<b> Writing </b>- I write to get it out - whatever "it" is. I write to express what I think, I write to uncover and discover what I am feeling. My writing on this blog and my writing to God in my journal. Writing is a discipline and a mystery and a gift. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a New Year's Eve party and I found myself remembering being a young woman in my 30's who literally could not imagine that I would be alive in 2023. And I never imagined that at 73 I would still be dealing with the same issues - who am I now? what is my purpose? how can I love better? </div><div><br /></div><div>And so I learn or remember the primacy of centering on the inner voice of God or the voice of true self. Centering. What I know to be true is this - the practice of centering is the threshold of engaging in what Robert Johnson calls "inner work." He writes:</div><div>"The point of inner work is to build consciousness. By learning to do your own inner work, you gain insight into the conflicts and challenges that your life presents. You are able to search the hidden depths of your own unconscious to find the strength and resources that wait to be discovered there."</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a new year and I will end with a quote by Oprah</div><div><br /></div><div>"cheers to a new year and another change for us to get it right."</div><div><br /></div><div>May it be so</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499891065072717867.post-5867875044279499462022-12-26T08:20:00.002-05:002022-12-26T08:20:43.404-05:00Merry ChristmasIt was a very different Christmas for me this year. I am not working at a church for one thing. I have had time to savor the holiday and reflect on its meaning for me this year.<div><br /></div><div>As always, family is important. Saturday 17 of us spent time at Kacey's house exchanging presents, eating Christmas food and playing games. It was lots of fun. This was John's first experience with this large family and he loved it. As I write this, I am preparing to leave to go to Lisa's house for their Christmas celebration. I will be bringing John to meet Chuck's family. I know he will be welcomed as this new chapter in our lives begins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Church has always been central to this holiday for me. Because we are now part of First Congregational, we took a name off the angel tree and bought gifts for a little girl, Maya. We also provided home made Christmas cookies to be served at "Bethlehem on Broadway." This was nice, but very removed from real interaction Because of the weather, we did not attend either Christmas Eve or Christmas day services. So my Christmas experience was very different from past years when I was front and center in the services and engaged with many people over the season. Christmas can be both a joyous and a sad time of the year and when you are the pastor, you are walking with others through it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mostly, this has been a time of wonder for me. I sit in a home that is mostly windows and look at the stark beauty of the bare trees and ever changing Hoover Reservoir and savor the gifts of my life in this moment. Some of this may be the movement from being a human "doing" to a human "being." I am grateful and trying - always trying - to live in THIS moment.. </div><div><br /></div><div>The images of Christmas live in my heart. Christmas morning I read to John from Richard Rohr's writing</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 20px;"><i>For Christians who have gone
to their own depths, there is the uncovering of an indwelling
Presence—a deep, loving “yes” inherent within us. In Christian theology,
this inner Presence would be described as the Holy Spirit, which is
precisely God as immanent, within, and even our deepest, truest self.
God is the very ground of our Being.</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 20px;"><i>Some
mystics have described this Presence as “closer to me than I am to
myself” or “more me than I am myself.” Many of us would also describe
this, as Thomas Merton did, as the True Self. Yet it still must be
awakened and chosen. The Holy Spirit
is totally given and given equally to all, but must be
<u>consciously received,</u> too. The Presence needs to be recognized, honored,
and drawn upon to become a living Presence within us.</i></p></div><div><br /></div><div>He is Immanuel - God with us. Even though Jesus was born in the midst of darkness - the corrupt and power hungry Herod, for example - God was with him and protected him. God is here with me guiding me and strengthening me as I enter into this new chapter of my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>My prayer for this Christmas season is a continuing YES from me to the one who gives me life. May God guide me into whatever is the new places of serving and living as a follower of Jesus. May I know myself as beloved and love others as Jesus would have me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Amen.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS - quote from Henri Nouwen</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 20px;">We are the Beloved. We are
intimately loved long before our parents, teachers, spouses, children
and friends loved or
wounded us. That’s the truth of our lives. That’s the truth I want you
to claim for yourself. That’s the truth spoken by the voice that says,
“You are my Beloved” [see Mark 1:9–11].</p><p style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;">Listening
to that voice with great inner attentiveness, I hear at my center words
that say: “I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are
mine and I am yours. You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. I have
molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your
mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you
in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and
care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her
child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every
step. Wherever you go, I go with you,
and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will
satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I
will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as
my own. You belong to me. I am your father, your mother, your brother,
your sister, your lover and your spouse . . . yes, even your child . . .
wherever you are I will be. Nothing will ever separate us. We are one.”
[2]</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>margot connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08766774360717208064noreply@blogger.com0