Dear Friends,

We hope that you are safe and well.

Today's Meditation features Carrie Newcomer inviting you to think of things that caught your attention or that provoke a sense of wonder or things that you are thankful for.

We invite you to join us as we commit ourselves to working tirelessly to end systemic and structural racism in our society, in the church, in healthcare, in the workplace--wherever it shows up so that everyone may come to have more abundant life. May this meditation nourish our contemplative-active hearts and sustain all of us in action.

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 it is 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 find peace, healing, hope and the infusion of joy in your life!

With our love and care,

Ron and Jean

MEDITATION 832: Carrie Newcomer: Things to be thankful for--community of wonders

Hi Folks, this week… I am crafting a poem that will include your words images and language.

In the comments, add a “word” or “one sentence” description of something that gave you pause, that inspired gratitude or simple wonder. I’m going to start with a handful.

The smell of fallen leaves are dusty and crunch beneath my feet. They are dry and scatter easily as I wade along the creek path.

A sycamore leaf as big as a dinner plate

Lilly-Junebug Jellybean’s tail making a steady “whapping sound on the floor boards.

Ella bears snore as she sleeps on my feet.

The soup is rich with the last veggies harvested from Marcia’s garden. The carrots are sweet and more “carrot-y” than anything at the market.

New yarn for winter projects -DK, hand dyed, superwash wool in ith autumn colors.

My daughter’s voice on the phone, murmmering sweet things when I was running a fever.

The woman cleaning the hotel break room smiled as I stopped her and sincerely expressed gratitude for how pleasant she had made our morning experience. She was a shocked then teary then straightened her shoulders. “I’ve never had anyone thank me…I take pride in making this area very clean and welcoming.” I said, “I’d really noticed and it mattered, my deepest gratitude for the care she puts into her work and the love she puts into the world.” We went our on our ways…just a little more human, and much more connected.

The sound of strings…arranged by gary and played by four amazing young women (Olivia, Allie, Alice and Marisa).

Light….always light through the trees.

Community poem of wonders - for our Dec 4 concert.

1

Richard F Stutz

Writes Richard’s Newsletter28 min ago

Dad's work glove empty for good, that once put food on the family table in this life.

Bob Robinson

28 min ago

The sight and sound of neighbors helping neighbors clean up our Ian related debris.

Bette Mulley

27 min ago

Looking to see the name tag of a clerk and saying thank you, how do you pronounce your name, or say I hope your day I’d good with pleasant customers

It to me he is telling anyone who offers services that you are grateful to them. I guess I’m grateful it’s a way to start your sentence.

Bette MULLEY

Wendy B

27 min ago

Lake Erie sunsets…the ever-changing light they provide soothes my soul.

Margaret

26 min ago

Chopping vegetables during the season's first snow

Nan Hofer, LMT, CKTP, CSRT

25 min ago

The sound if the wind through the pines and how it resembles the sound of the surf.

Jesse

25 min ago

His slow, steady breathing when he spends the night.

Jenny Kirby

24 min ago

Swimming in glistening water and feeling hugged by it.

Sharon

21 min ago

The exquisite beauty and colors of autumn leaves I found pressed in my book of poems this morning.

Vicky

20 min ago

the words and experiences people share that inspire me

Nancy Blakely

19 min ago

Two cats snuggled in my lap, purring contentedly.

Diane

18 min ago

The way soft morning fog gently appears and disappears in wisps or clouds, and leafless trees become finely drawn silhouettes in front of that opaque backdrop, and birds flit from bush to branch, until that soft white pillow settles into the valley below our cozy mountain home.

Caroline C Cramer

16 min ago

The happy smile on my great grandson's face when he spots me coming in the door.

Betty Williams

15 min ago

the swirling mist on the pond as my labradoodle and I take our morning walk

Donna Manocchio

13 min ago

A deep conversation with a loved one, filled with laughter and a few tears, giving and receiving, listening and being heard

Jude Pollack

8 min ago

A simple cup of hot tea. The warmth is soothing.

Martha Brunell

8 min ago

Bare branches in late fall and winter with buds set and waiting for a cycle of growth months away.

Deborah DeManno

5 min ago

The Coopers Hawk that perched in my yard for more than 30 minutes to watch the bird feeders while I watched the hawk. It’s stillness made me still.

Richard A Green

2 min ago

As I walk along the path there's a flash of red to my right. I turn and look and there's a Western Tanager. What a beauty.

Katie Davis

2 min ago

The forest floor, displaying a carpet of vibrant green only weeks ago, now painted with the soothing brown of fallen leaves.