tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78235850404631872582024-02-19T00:27:34.092-08:00Go Love the World. An intersection of ministry, Spirit, sustainability, motherhood, justice- life. Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-24966972905294710582013-03-03T06:43:00.002-08:002013-03-03T06:43:56.330-08:00prayer for beauty <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvf7z1-W5KlicMjiFZRs5_o277Fn47YKS8x7FMF3OBFkTaUI79ZZsIa6Rnlv7O6JPhH6ooZg2dZGW3fNH7BnuxMv3GP2Q1gMFxMqi8XzP3gJJNt47dMsxk-GYe0D8m8GcTZst2HXeJKG4/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvf7z1-W5KlicMjiFZRs5_o277Fn47YKS8x7FMF3OBFkTaUI79ZZsIa6Rnlv7O6JPhH6ooZg2dZGW3fNH7BnuxMv3GP2Q1gMFxMqi8XzP3gJJNt47dMsxk-GYe0D8m8GcTZst2HXeJKG4/s400/photo+1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Breath of Life,</span><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We give thanks this morning</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for the warm embrace </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of this religious community</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that holds such meaning for us. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help us develop</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eyes that can see</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the sunlight bounce off </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the ripples in the sky*</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and still be amazed by that beauty. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help our ears be tuned into </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the first sounds of the birds chirping</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as the sky slowly lightens each morning, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and let us be delighted by that beauty. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open our hearts to the joys, and sorrows, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of those around us, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">both people we hold dear, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and people we barely know, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so that we may see them - really and truly see them - </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the beauty that lies within their being. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open our minds</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to our own selves, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so that we may understand</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this person, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this body, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this self</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and appreciate with joy</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the beauty that emanates from within us.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breath of Life, </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">help us see the beauty around us. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help us contribute to that beauty </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by our own acts of generosity, surrender, and embrace. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We raise our hearts in praise. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessed be. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*from hymn #1 "Madre Esencia, Padre Esencia" in Las Voces del Camino</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-84608752790144200362012-10-19T20:18:00.000-07:002012-10-19T20:18:06.106-07:00Layered Memories<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/1932625522_ae0d79eced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/1932625522_ae0d79eced.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Main, on University of Arkansas campus; image at <a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/74465517@N00/1932625522/">www.flickriver.com</a></td></tr>
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A few days ago I was in Fayetteville, AR</div>
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visiting my son who started his freshman year there this August. </div>
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It was of course glorious and wonderful to be with him, </div>
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laughing, joking, stealing glances at him to make sure he looks happy and healthy. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And being in Fayetteville is so bittersweet. </div>
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So many memories of that town. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Adrian was born at the local hospital. </div>
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I found Unitarian Universalism at the local <a href="http://fayettevilleunitarian.org/">UU Fellowship</a>. </div>
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My call to ministry awakened there. </div>
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My love of urban planning and local politics caught fire</div>
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in conversations with friends at <a href="http://arsagas.com/">Arsaga's</a>, </div>
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and later in meetings at City Hall. </div>
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We moved to LA in 1999, and for a few years I'd visit friends there. </div>
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And then I didn't visit for almost ten years. </div>
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When I finally went back, </div>
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seeing those same streets and buildings made my heart hurt. </div>
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It was like seeing an old lover, </div>
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remembering his face, </div>
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but knowing he wasn't the same person anymore. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Fayetteville is more beautiful than when I left. </div>
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Walking down <a href="http://www.dicksonst.com/">Dickson Street</a>, </div>
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around the historic square during the <a href="http://www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org/">Farmer's Market</a>, </div>
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or through campus, </div>
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I'm flooded with memories. </div>
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It makes me think of <i>Pentimento</i>, by Lillian Hellman. </div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTG-jtlDqbHAAHZkUGtEWCf9QHDxwkDbvMaZnRBiv1rDdo_RT7O" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTG-jtlDqbHAAHZkUGtEWCf9QHDxwkDbvMaZnRBiv1rDdo_RT7O" width="235" /></a></div>
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She describes pentimento as</div>
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the old paint on a canvas </div>
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that becomes transparent </div>
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as it ages, </div>
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allowing the original lines to come through. </div>
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The painter "repented," changed her mind. </div>
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It's a way of seeing and then seeing again</div>
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what is there. </div>
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That's what my trips to Fayetteville feel like. </div>
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I see what is clearly in front of me, </div>
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but ghosts of my past also walk </div>
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on the sidewalks. </div>
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I see yard signs of city council campaigns past. </div>
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I see white party tents and chairs set up for a garden party</div>
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for Friends of Fayetteville. </div>
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I see old friends, </div>
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no longer there, no longer in contact, </div>
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but still dear to my heart. </div>
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I see a Baby Adrian. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I see a younger self. </div>
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Full of hope, </div>
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risk, </div>
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need, </div>
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fear. </div>
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Longing to make something of herself, </div>
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so her tiny son will know </div>
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that one person can help change the world. </div>
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<br /></div>
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As I wander around that lovely town, </div>
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I know that Adrian will also awaken </div>
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to the deeper longings of his life there. </div>
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Maybe he will brush by </div>
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the faint lines of his earlier life, </div>
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gently waving him on</div>
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toward Love and meaning. </div>
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<br /></div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-24029776559058496582012-10-12T09:17:00.001-07:002012-10-12T09:19:25.867-07:00Feeding a Spiritual Hunger<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I have a guest blog post over on </div>
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the <a href="http://vitalleaders.blogs.uua.org/2012/10/12/feeding-a-spiritual-hunger/">UUA Vital Leaders Blog</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I was delighted to be asked, </div>
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and happy I got myself organized</div>
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to actually write it and send it in. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The lovely photograph of the chalice, seen in the blog post, </div>
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was taken by my colleague Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale, </div>
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serving the UUs of Santa Clarita Valley. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It was set up at our recent ministers' retreat, </div>
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and the photo ended up being the </div>
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first artwork hung on my church office walls. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'll post it here, too. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf30pqRuZwbicLVoErnI-JprUIlHF5ZTlm61pVQRkkKbRr4AwCwks8IRUPSbo1e1c09I0SZhPCbRpupIRGPJLnavk8iN2w8VuMwTxtv3eQpm6GN9lzvzFf_hgwKnrVhppDMrWpFpi3ddh/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf30pqRuZwbicLVoErnI-JprUIlHF5ZTlm61pVQRkkKbRr4AwCwks8IRUPSbo1e1c09I0SZhPCbRpupIRGPJLnavk8iN2w8VuMwTxtv3eQpm6GN9lzvzFf_hgwKnrVhppDMrWpFpi3ddh/s640/photo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photograph by Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-64784687303631401202012-10-04T05:36:00.000-07:002012-10-04T05:37:35.779-07:00Room for One More Yes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sandradodd.com/art/title/yes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://sandradodd.com/art/title/yes" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from <a href="http://sandradodd.com/yes.html">sandradodd.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last weekend, I thought to myself, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I have room for one more big YES this year." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I handed it out yesterday, gladly, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to <a href="http://www.cluela.org/">CLUE-LA</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Deciding I had capacity for just one more YES</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">isn't about shutting down possibilities</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">or being closed off to new ideas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's all about creating ample space </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for cultivating and growing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">all the projects and ideas </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've already said YES</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's also about setting aside time</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and honoring the people I love, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">who make it possible for me to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">enjoy a healthy balance </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of ministry </span><span style="font-size: large;">and personal life </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(OK - maybe healthy </span><span style="font-size: large;">is too optimistic, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but that is always the goal). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And it came out of an awareness </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that in addition to professional ministry, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there are quite a few other personal goals </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to accomplish at some point in life: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Continue Spanish lessons (Quiero hablar español!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Take piano lessons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Learn to play guitar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Take voice lessons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- More extensive travel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">- Enter the LA County Extension Master Gardeners program</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Write a historical fiction novel, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">inspired by love letters written </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to my Grandma Lula </span><span style="font-size: large;">from my Grandpa Dub, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">when they were teens. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My mom and I found </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">these letters hidden in a cigar box, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">tucked in the back of a closet, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">after my Grandma Lula died. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It feels really good to be clear, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for the time being, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">about my ministry priorities this year</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and focusing on those, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">rather than adding more and more </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to an already full plate. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, this will be tested</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">when the next phone call</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or email comes in for a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">meaningful, fun </span><span style="font-size: large;">project. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Will I be able to say No </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as joyfully as I say YES? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-48733761235095373062012-10-02T07:47:00.001-07:002012-10-02T07:48:33.990-07:00Inviting People to Church<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjANV6Tdg6zCm3cH_PRWceMA_T6Q8hI7Th_SdFS_j2yPEpP1RhrrB5FZHgjKv2U8BzGeTMfmEfiJBM6ZtFeiq77VtnnXYv9tagk1jZsy8YAFpkNLhf1kGaeUiCRUUl3g6S0TceJamnx7yw/s1600/candlelight_photography_tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjANV6Tdg6zCm3cH_PRWceMA_T6Q8hI7Th_SdFS_j2yPEpP1RhrrB5FZHgjKv2U8BzGeTMfmEfiJBM6ZtFeiq77VtnnXYv9tagk1jZsy8YAFpkNLhf1kGaeUiCRUUl3g6S0TceJamnx7yw/s640/candlelight_photography_tips.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.tipsforphotographers.com/">tipsforphotographers.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night, in the process of inviting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">friends and acquaintances to a new</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">singing/chanting meditation group at my church, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got a little surprise. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is much easier for me to invite </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">those folks to a meditation group - at church - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">than to a Sunday morning worship service. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd8cc3YKhs9uPjrcq3hscNla78TvAKlm-1Awrp2OkXTssOiOM7ySD2ND1dxEQXGOHBaAoJQaRDis9O3n_luA6wyoPJS2L7flxQUCvlRrrN45-siFI26wF-78qG39G5LeQjmjsOjNuvFeP/s1600/altar+garden+bounty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd8cc3YKhs9uPjrcq3hscNla78TvAKlm-1Awrp2OkXTssOiOM7ySD2ND1dxEQXGOHBaAoJQaRDis9O3n_luA6wyoPJS2L7flxQUCvlRrrN45-siFI26wF-78qG39G5LeQjmjsOjNuvFeP/s640/altar+garden+bounty.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning altar, graced with the bounty from our church garden.<br />
Photo by January Nordman. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Each week, I create a Facebook invite for Sunday worship. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I click on the "invite friends" button. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And as I look at my list of friends, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my hand hovers over each box next to their names. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Should I invite them?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Will they think I'm being too forward?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Do they have a bad association with church, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">will this turn them off, and will they want to unfriend me?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These are some of the questions </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">running through my mind as I decide whether</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">their box gets a check mark (invite!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or remains blank. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was doing the Facebook inviting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for the singing/meditation group, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">none of those questions were in my mind. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead, there was a spirit of giving and offering</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">something worthwhile, of sustenance, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that people will want and need. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I imagined the greeting being </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">received with curiosity, thankfulness, excitement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do I <i>not</i> feel that way about Sunday morning worship? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hmmm ... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The thing is, I'm really proud </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of the worshiping community at my church. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have a talented music director, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a group of attentive, thoughtful people in the pews,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a spirit-filled liturgy,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">and an all around joyful attitude on Sunday morning. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Worship is followed by a vegetarian potluck, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and people can tour our organic, sustainable garden. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(And take home produce for later!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Somehow, the singing meditation group </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(First Sundays at 7 pm)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">feels like a less threatening "ask" </span><span style="font-size: large;">than</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Worship at 11 am on Sunday morning. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I noted - if I, the minister, struggle with </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">inviting people to worship, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">then imagine how many laypeople must feel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For my church, friends inviting friends to church</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">will be key to our revitalization efforts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm thinking about how to make the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">invitational process do-able for </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">current members and friends. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And reminding myself that </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday worship - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with our stories and songs, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">prayers and meditation, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">preaching and words of wisdom - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">is a gift we offer the community. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A time to rest weary souls and bones. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A time to get reconnected to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the self, the community, the holy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A time for joy and tears, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for laughter and silence. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who all will I invite to church this Sunday? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who will you? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-41603188372024971922012-09-13T20:14:00.003-07:002012-09-13T20:14:57.133-07:00One of Those Awesome YES Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4GVPLB9ajaow-o4BawzNf9bEE8O0pMG_iDW3SS55aScTpKGdMfW2aX-99qWEn2XH5E85RO3fLA2BxTPwBaEPWeqFmvcwE7KefErafWOzBy0u-3-kaBc462cNr1VBHAdB6YqTbuHK4gNK/s1600/IMG_2846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4GVPLB9ajaow-o4BawzNf9bEE8O0pMG_iDW3SS55aScTpKGdMfW2aX-99qWEn2XH5E85RO3fLA2BxTPwBaEPWeqFmvcwE7KefErafWOzBy0u-3-kaBc462cNr1VBHAdB6YqTbuHK4gNK/s640/IMG_2846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I certainly didn't expect </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to feel euphoric at the end of today. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But I do. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(And no, it's not just the iced tea talking.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">First of all - check out those bright, shining faces above. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For A Long Time, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">a donated electric organ has lived</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">in the entrance to one of the church's bathrooms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today was the day for finding it a loving home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These young men came for it, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and their faces lit up when we </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">plugged in the organ</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and it worked! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So off they go to make music, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and we can better utilize the space in one </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of our downstairs bathrooms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghEAUxbP8DxaOj9BeDfylgwbKc2CQRPKaFrUr92PZUGkhbIRsMq8U0IxpWjczleLfTtfnBfIlPotxJMNhXLB37_1uCuZ5DoSGupmHgZVzyDa9htWGsEkZFQqtJfCXKBH9jdR6A9CagpBB/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghEAUxbP8DxaOj9BeDfylgwbKc2CQRPKaFrUr92PZUGkhbIRsMq8U0IxpWjczleLfTtfnBfIlPotxJMNhXLB37_1uCuZ5DoSGupmHgZVzyDa9htWGsEkZFQqtJfCXKBH9jdR6A9CagpBB/s640/IMG_2841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Tuesday, <a href="http://www.realfood.com/">Real Food Daily</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">hosted us for a special Elders/Seniors dinner. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">RFD is one of my fav restaurants, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and they offer organic, vegan cuisine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, it was so nice to get to linger and chat and enjoy food with these delightful folks from the church. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I saw a couple of them tonight, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and they were still glowing from our dinner. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So that just added to my YES feeling. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFG0JxgquuQPANv96UBY6M__KVQfu9xvqzDH9f5iAIva3fWGWYQ7_Lhbuale6fGC24qNZGLTMUT5-EQn6_Dbhi7NjBkniU_PiEwtm2ATzMavc22l1sJoHFVwYBfQg2lGDO4xKO3gWiGJn/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFG0JxgquuQPANv96UBY6M__KVQfu9xvqzDH9f5iAIva3fWGWYQ7_Lhbuale6fGC24qNZGLTMUT5-EQn6_Dbhi7NjBkniU_PiEwtm2ATzMavc22l1sJoHFVwYBfQg2lGDO4xKO3gWiGJn/s640/IMG_2839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And earlier that day </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(note the exact same dress!), </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">several of us unveiled the new</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">UU Group at Occidental College. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We gathered over 20 names and emails</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of students who are interested in being </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">part of our campus group. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Several ran up to the table </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and exclaimed, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I grew up UU! I am so excited </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">we will have a place to meet on campus!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ministry is so much about creating connections, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">helping people live into their own YES to life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Holding a container</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">out of which the sacred can emerge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We ministers talk about the many demands</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of professional, ordained ministry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And all the goodness, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">such as I experienced this week, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">balances it all. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What a complex, beautiful, winding</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">road we are all on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to find our holy YES in life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And it'll be good to have this written </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">reminder when a day or week rolls</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">around where the YES is hard to find. </span></div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-82342443909983169662012-09-10T20:41:00.000-07:002012-09-10T20:53:02.495-07:00Paddling Upstream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m5Oi8io7Y1u61FK5kWjvgI6739QssiHBTcnCAnzb1PmSMpB-b7wD-dA-bEcRkGhleQY9qSOkq4PP2x7vwRkeql5W1-CmSLr_kEKeYipyTRJdfXM0Qtaf7QyppN8aQaC2JCah6F6ALFmT/s1600/IMG_2834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m5Oi8io7Y1u61FK5kWjvgI6739QssiHBTcnCAnzb1PmSMpB-b7wD-dA-bEcRkGhleQY9qSOkq4PP2x7vwRkeql5W1-CmSLr_kEKeYipyTRJdfXM0Qtaf7QyppN8aQaC2JCah6F6ALFmT/s640/IMG_2834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last week, while in Mendocino, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I got to spend a couple of hours on the Big River. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love rivers, and love kayaking. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's something I don't get to do nearly enough of. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I started out, I was delighted with my purple kayak rental. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I thought, "It's such a UU minister color, how perfect!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I began paddling upstream - </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and both the tide and the wind were with me. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I barely had to dip my oar in the water </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and I was sailing away. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was the only one on the river. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The only sounds I heard </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">were birds calling to each other </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and my paddle moving through the water. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I laid back and looked up at the trees, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">the sun peeking through leaves and branches. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlH3l5Y-Be1nt3viGeeRjZ7RNVwMoOfGUMmAt-CZ7h41jMwmpLPSBixS0594ZVALQHe2d615IOY1Zek6VkGzisugh0W908g80tbK7scBSvFDwt-yHpPxA3470oi0aVapuRdD3-b899U2f/s1600/IMG_2837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlH3l5Y-Be1nt3viGeeRjZ7RNVwMoOfGUMmAt-CZ7h41jMwmpLPSBixS0594ZVALQHe2d615IOY1Zek6VkGzisugh0W908g80tbK7scBSvFDwt-yHpPxA3470oi0aVapuRdD3-b899U2f/s640/IMG_2837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I felt like I flowed with nature. </span></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After dreamily floating along for about 45 minutes, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I realized it was going to take some work to get back. </span></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Reluctantly I turned the kayak around. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And was suddenly met with a brisk breeze </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">in my face and water coming <i>at</i> me, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">rather than going <i>with</i> me. </span></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My zen-like state vanished. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All I could think about was getting back to the dock. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I realized I didn’t have enough drinking water with me. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Okay, honestly I hadn't taken ANY with me!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I wondered if my arms were strong enough </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to propel the kayak to my starting point. </span></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I did make it back. Without harm. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I <i>can</i> paddle for an hour, </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and suffer very sore arms the next morning. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But doing so much work to get back </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">destroyed my internal flow. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My mind raced with questions about my ability</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> to do the physical work. Instead of feeling </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">at one with the river, each stroke reminded me </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was moving against it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hNrQztbZhr1QwXN7RFJ1AmBQkKoUPpbfQzxWuEye5FAAHInFDi4k5YCm9Z7KV6h5xamWRBFJiSCqaFC1S7Lw0CJBxnqAjs0PpqAhu78yEV1vk9GSXygYK-WXUkljgl0QIAc1JNmoUulh/s1600/IMG_2833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hNrQztbZhr1QwXN7RFJ1AmBQkKoUPpbfQzxWuEye5FAAHInFDi4k5YCm9Z7KV6h5xamWRBFJiSCqaFC1S7Lw0CJBxnqAjs0PpqAhu78yEV1vk9GSXygYK-WXUkljgl0QIAc1JNmoUulh/s640/IMG_2833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And isn't that the way of life. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ease and comfort can turn into unease and pain. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We may yearn for change in our lives, </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">only to become overwhelmed and scared when it does arrive. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Spiritual practice can help us </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">sort through that stuff, </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">make sense of our days, </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">help us keep paddling upstream </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">even when our arms - and hearts - </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">may cry out for us to stop.</span> </span></div>
</div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-59458866747128412922012-09-03T20:16:00.003-07:002012-09-10T20:54:17.943-07:00Spreading My Wings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl7e02kfwWi8g7lNSTxhWa0BE55MxXBZ8d96NBPKR3V-_UYV-GXZgEE9HId_ERjwh2KLXJrKhr7txqwAZYxoHg0LNhw4NoQw0-EAXsgwTYueHrn4e-Dylbgdl2obBNIdc_5yp7Zg3qsFA/s1600/christophersondotnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl7e02kfwWi8g7lNSTxhWa0BE55MxXBZ8d96NBPKR3V-_UYV-GXZgEE9HId_ERjwh2KLXJrKhr7txqwAZYxoHg0LNhw4NoQw0-EAXsgwTYueHrn4e-Dylbgdl2obBNIdc_5yp7Zg3qsFA/s640/christophersondotnet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from <span style="background-color: white; color: #228822; font-family: arial; line-height: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">stardreamingwithsherrybluesky.blogspot.com. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm spending a few days in private retreat, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in northern California. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, as I sat on a bluff and </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">watched the Big River</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">flow into Mendocino Bay, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I watched ravens fly overhead. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Watching them swoop and soar, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it reminded me of my mental preparations </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for Adrian to go to college, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I knew he was entering a season of life </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for him to spread his wings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and really learn to fly on his own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What I hadn't considered is </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it also becomes a time for me </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to stretch my wings and experience life in a new way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I get to practice engaged motherhood differently. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">From afar and a bit removed, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but with no less love, compassion, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">curiosity, and support</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">than before. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm starting to sink into the joys </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of having more time to myself: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dinners with friends, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">leisurely conversations after church or meetings,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">planning dinners I like -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that don't have to be teen friendly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">More time to write, more time to think, more time to be. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm trying to be intentional about embracing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">this new phase of life, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and be fully present to the emotions, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">challenges and opportunities it brings me, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and note how it may deepen my ministry. </span></div>
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Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-9714948090841498242012-08-29T20:50:00.002-07:002012-09-10T20:51:13.942-07:00Pastoral Prayer, Daring<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0yEw_cCUvJIuGSOQ--7LWM0XbTqwxPOqXfzupPA2OJ33xt_O_Hg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0yEw_cCUvJIuGSOQ--7LWM0XbTqwxPOqXfzupPA2OJ33xt_O_Hg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from masondaring.com</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px;">Spirit of Life,</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Connecting All Beings,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We pray with you today. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to see the abundance</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">you put before us. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to see the signs of spring all around: </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">purple hyacinths, orange poppies, and red nasturtiums</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">blooming along highways and sidewalks. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to look out of our bus window, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">or up from the road for just long enough</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">to see the wide expanse of the Mountains, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">etched clearly against the bright blue February sky, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">reaching out as if to embrace us. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to walk out of our home</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">as the sun sets, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">so we can see the moon </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">glowing from its evening perch. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to engage in an act of boldness: </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">to really look another human being in the eyes. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To look, and to wonder, who IS this person? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to be happy </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">with our bodies, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">no matter what shape they are in. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dare us to sit in the silence, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">listening deeply for your still, small voice. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-58627308781397273522012-08-29T20:47:00.002-07:002012-08-29T20:50:52.325-07:00everyday courage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxFzHnw0TglTBI3AmL9n0E6N9KfvyScPhdCYzWNvqS9tNSDuSrVg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxFzHnw0TglTBI3AmL9n0E6N9KfvyScPhdCYzWNvqS9tNSDuSrVg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been thinking about what it means for a regular person to have courage. </div>
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In August, my church explored the concept of courage. </div>
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Not the wild, brave courage of movies or adventure books. </div>
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But the courage each of us calls into being</div>
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just so we can live our lives as fully as possible. </div>
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I've been wondering if, as I get older, </div>
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I am less likely to take risks (not physical risks)</div>
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but ricks of the heart. </div>
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Trying out new things, new places, new ideas. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Two weeks ago I took my son, Adrian, to college. </div>
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He's going to the same school his dad and I both graduated from, </div>
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University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (go Hogs!). </div>
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As we walked around campus, </div>
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I was struck with all the new experiences he will have, </div>
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some good, some bad, </div>
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but so many will be new things to him, </div>
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and will shape his life. </div>
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I couldn't help but think about how I felt when I got to U of A. </div>
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How every new turn seemed like an adventure. </div>
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The world a big possibility, </div>
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even when I made bad decisions and had heartaches. </div>
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At 40, I love my career in ministry, </div>
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my family, </div>
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my house, </div>
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my garden, </div>
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my neighborhood, </div>
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my friends. </div>
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I'm a homebody who has to travel for work, </div>
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and who loves nothing more than curling up at home</div>
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with a cup of hot tea, a good book, </div>
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my sweet honey man, </div>
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and our kitty. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But I wonder, </div>
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if my love for what is familiar</div>
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keeps me from trying new things. </div>
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Does it damper in some way my everyday courage? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7823585040463187258.post-14585395581918508192012-08-29T20:31:00.001-07:002012-08-29T20:54:00.084-07:00Pastoral Prayer, We Gather Together<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQXokwZEVKAu-T-S1mBgpFyyVKCYmCLRiLq83CMDAmb9ZuTqj5P" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQXokwZEVKAu-T-S1mBgpFyyVKCYmCLRiLq83CMDAmb9ZuTqj5P" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from primitivehomedecors.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">God of Our Hearts, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">the Breathing of the World, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Be with us. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We gather in this community, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">carrying our hurts from last week, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and may we find a space to lay down our burdens, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">if only for a moment. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We gather together, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">seeking a moment of reprieve</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">from the busyness of everyday life. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">May we find space this morning to breathe deeply, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and be nurtured by the quiet, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">if only for a moment. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We gather as people of faith, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">longing for a chance </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">at deep connection with another human being. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Let us be brave enough </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">to look into someone else’s eyes</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and hear their story, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">and let us be courageous enough to tell our own, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">if only for a moment. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We gather together, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">bearing witness to the joys and sorrows </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">of each other’s lives.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We gather together, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">building strength for the week to come, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">girding us to meet a world so </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">desperately in need of peace and healing.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Let our moments of compassion </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">build on each other, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">bending the arc of the universe</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">ever more closely to justice. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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Rev. Tera Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517699506544977468noreply@blogger.com0