Winter Holidays - Archived
Dear Friends,
The holiday is upon us!
From Nancy Schildt’s bamboo tree in our foyer, Thomas, Noe, and the choir’s seasonal music, the pulpit quilt from our RE children of years ago, extra treats in our Gallery coffee hour, and so much more remind us we are in a warm and caring ‘Ohana.
Our Town Hall meeting last Sunday focused on our sanctuary and was led with amazing aplomb by President Sue. A sense of common purpose was fostered, and we generated thoughtful questions about placement, sound, management, and music needs. We agreed to make our sanctuary even more beautiful and tranquil, providing a space for peaceful, sacred time together.
We also recognized the importance of respecting our partners who share our sanctuary and their religious traditions. Sue and Dan met with the leaders of Sof Ma’arav, and the next day, I met with them as well, getting to know more of their warm and welcoming congregation. Within an hour of our meeting, they took the initiative and, to my surprise, moved their religious furniture.
We all appreciated the time spent together and the value we place on sharing this space in harmony.
> This Sunday at 10 am, we will hear our member Mary MacKay’s “The Miracle of Darkness: A Celebration of Wonder,” and I know she will, as always, inspire and elevate our understanding.
> Christmas Eve at 6 pm, we will celebrate with Carols led by our music team, our annual “No Rehearsal Nativity Play,” and our Gallery cookie sharing extravaganza facilitated by our Hospitality tea.
Come, come, come! — whether you want to be swept up in the moment of the play as a participant or a viewer.
> Sunday, December 28th, at 10 am, I will be leading our “Burning Bowl” celebration— cleaning our spiritual houses and fueling our leap into the new year.
Dan Carpenter showed me how to use the fuel for the bowl, so I promise we will not burn our haven down!
But let us blast into the new year together; our energy, unity, and concern are needed by our world more than ever now.
I love the “reel” that our social media wizard Andrew pulled from my “Communitarian” sermon.
This is my distillation of the theologian Martin Buber’s essential message. You can see/hear it here.
Aloha,
Rev. Deborah
