Dear Friends,

On this 54th Anniversary of my Ordination, I find myself feeling a joyful gratitude for all the people who have crossed my path and called forth the best in me--we have been walking on Holy Ground together--you have shown yourself to me: God face to face!

I have seen my mission as whetting people's appetite for God, for meaning-making. I feel truly blessed and the best way of saying thank-you is to pass the blessings on. what a joy to do it together! Thank you for being part of my life.

As we build the Beloved Community, we pray for you every day that you might continue to bring it about in your little corner of the world.

In Today's Meditation, Kaji Dousa asks if we are interested in living softly, together?

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: "Soft Summer" by Kaji Dousa

July 11, 2023

Soft Summer

Kaji Douša

For God ordered the seasons and the boundaries of their habitation. – Acts 17:26b (as adapted in A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church: Year A)

Many people from my church have set the intention for the blessing of a “soft summer” this year. So have I.

In soft summer, my spirit is open. Not wide open, there are boundaries. But I make the clear choice that I will open myself to things more than I’m wont to do.

In soft summer, joy a must. The question, “Will this bring joy?” becomes a key component in my decision-making matrix. And that joy leads to seeking and maintaining meaningful connections – with others, and especially with God. Soft living includes listening for and to God as a way of life – in the good times and the rough spots, too.

Living softly, you take your mistakes, lick their wounds as necessary and then: learn. Because soft living means being gentle with yourself and with others. Living softly can eventually bring you to the place, in conflict, to see that the other is “doing as much as they can with what they have at the time.” They can say that about themselves as well. This doesn’t mean that living softly dismisses accountability; it just holds compassion in the process.

Living softly embraces tenderness – the opposite of edgy – which means that you trust God, and you trust the people who have earned it. And you trust yourself.

In soft living, we accept fluidity. We move with the Spirit God has sent us.

Are you interested in living softly, together?

Prayer

God, help me to embrace my own tenderness. Make this a soft summer. I’m ready to elevate. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kaji Douša is the Senior Pastor of The Park Avenue Christian Church, a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, in New York City.