 Beloveds,
It was a joy to see many of you at our Christmas Eve Candlelight service. After attempting to create a festive setting at my house, I knew where I needed to be. I headed over to the fellowship, hung gorgeous red fabric, draped the pulpit table with shimmery blue fabric, and made sure I had my candle all ready for candle lighting. At first I felt a little sad there all alone, but as we rehearsed the service with our dedicated worship team - Kathleen Moscato, Augustus Moscato, Holly Herring, Li-Anne and Michael Mufson, I settled in and my mood was one of joyful anticipation. And then, you came. We were in meeting mode and I watched as beloved faces filled the screens - ones I see each week, and the dear ones I see once a year. Li-Anne told the compelling story of that baby we anticipated, Holly led the service with beauty. Kathleen’s clear glorious voice, skillfully accompanied by our dear Augustus led us in singing. I sang so loud in the sanctuary. (I sound really good by myself!). I scrolled through the zoom pages and watched people sing along. I love telling the story of the prophet, our brother Jesus, and his radical story of defying empire and teaching us about radical love. And then came the candle lighting… I scrolled the pages again and looked at your faces as best I could - a soulful quilt... I could picture you there in the sanctuary - the lights low, the candles lighting your faces. We sang Silent Night and renewed our hope in the Spirit of love and peace. . Beloveds, it has been such a difficult year. Through it all we have crafted community across space and time, building Beloved Community and remembering we are not alone. My heart breaks for the thousands who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and for all who are struggling in loneliness, in poverty and oppression. We are relieved that a new administration will be in place, and still we know that there is so much to heal and repair, to transform and transcend. The pandemic will be with us a good while longer. I want you to hold on...to each other...to love that is holding you and all that you love. We will get through this time, beloveds - it will be a while and we will be changed. We should be. The deep bonds of humanity’s interconnectedness with one another and the rest of nature have been made clear. The deep fissures in our society have been made clear. As the new year approaches, let us breathe...see where love would have us be and what love would have us do. And let us follow love where it leads. Here is one of the special songs we shared on Christmas Eve. Your Peace Will Make Us One by Audrey Assad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCZk20ayFwI As a congregation we will continue follow love - Our congregational word for the year is: Intention I will be taking a week off December 27-January 5th. I’m looking forward to the weeks and months to come as we will explore what it means to live with intention! For any urgent issues, please contact our Administrator, Meg. I love you, rev beth
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