Dear Friends
These are challenging days, and we’ve only begun our journey into the Covid-19 crisis. As we’ve shared previously, we are viewing this time of enforced isolation as a time of Sabbath. Sabbath well lived invites us, and provides space for us, to “not do” but rather “to be” quieter, less busy, more reflective….a blessing that we do not seem to allow ourselves in a time of ‘normalcy.’
One of the things that helps us all in these days of “social distancing” is to connect with others in whatever ways we can. We admire the people in Italy, each on their own balconies joining together in life-giving songs. We saw one woman in our country leading her neighbors, each in their own yards, in a Zumba exercise. In Jamaica Plain, Nadine has been gathering neighbors out the door for “porch” sing-a-longs. Others are joining together, each in their own homes, making masks and gowns for hospital workers. In addition to our Sunday conference call worship together and our Wednesday “Virtual Coffee Hour” call, we would like to offer these brief meditations as often as we can, as a way of sharing the fruits of our Sabbath time with all of you, as a way of connecting. In the spirit of our philosophy of co-creating community and our awareness that the Spirit speaks through each of us, we invite you to share your meditations with us as well. We truly believe that in God’s economy of abundance, when we share our blessings, our thoughts, our feelings, we are all made richer.
We hope and pray that you and your loved ones experience genuine peace of mind and heart, and remain in good health during this challenging time.
Loving blessings,
Jean & Ron
Meditation Two: Walking around Jamaica Pond
Yesterday we went to a Boston hospital for Jean’s scheduled outpatient treatment for her Crohns disease. While she was there, I walked around Jamaica Pond. It was a beautiful day: the sun was glistening off the water, the water was gently lapping up on the shore. Many people were out walking around the pond, some by themselves, some in twos or threes. I even encountered Irene out walking (keeping social distancing) with a couple friends. One woman was walking with a walker and had her little dog with her. She was smiling and seemed to be enjoying herself. Two fisherpeople has six rods planted in the ground, cast into the water trying to catch fish—for dinner? Some of the people were light-hearted and some seemed concerned, seemingly aware of what we are going through with coronavirus. A Canada goose came in for a water landing sending up a spray of water. Another Canada goose did a somersault in the water, seeming to take a flash bath and then shaking out its wings.
On the walk, some of the thoughts that went through my mind were: 1. Our common humanity: walking around the pond were people of all different races and cultures and yet everyone was trying to get through this the best they could. 2. We are one with Mother Earth and with all creatures. The Canada geese and the people walking their dogs and the birds at our bird feeder—they all give us pleasure. If the theory of some scientists is true that bats gave germs to fowl and the coronavirus flowed out of that, it makes it even clearer that we are all in this together, for better and for worse As I am typing this, there is a robin on my windowsill pecking at the window—curious indeed, but good timing. 3. I am reminded of Irenaeus saying, “The Glory of God is human beings fully alive.” We are all trying to stay fully alive by social distancing, by exercising, by positive thinking, by communing with nature, by staying connected in whatever ways we safely can. Stay safe, dear friends, and know that we are holding you in our hearts and sending you our love and our prayers.