I am so looking forward to sharing our yearly rituals of the candle lighting service (12/24), the burning bowl (12/29), and the white stone service (1/5), as we close 2024 and begin 2025. In each of these we go within and listen to Spirit’s whispers. This is the ultimate spiritual practice - to be still and know the truth within.
A philosopher from 6BC, Lao Tzu, said this: “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
The official Christmas season is here, yet I believe that Christmas is something that happens every day, not just in December. Christmas occurs when we open to the possibility of hope, when we live as ambassadors of peace, when we become expressions of love and grace, or when joy bubbles forth from our hearts and lives. In these moments the Christ is given expression. This can happen any moment on any day.
As we gather for fun, for celebration services and rituals, or to connect with one another, may we consciously bear the light of the season – the light of the Christ born anew in us each day. This is the challenge: share gifts, party together, sing for joy, gather around food, yet stay centered in the light of your being, not in busyness and stress.
Plan to be with those you love and to take time to feel the power within your being, the very light of the One. Enjoy the lights that spring up all around, including in our garden, and let them remind you that YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
May we boldly proclaim with our presence the truth that our Wayshower demonstrated – we are spiritual beings expressing the infinite power of love in amazingly creative ways. Merry Christmas season!
Joy and Peace to you,
Rev. Patty
Enjoy Claudia’s song Cardinal in the Snow from her Christmas album, as we remember loved ones who have gone before us.
In the spirit of this week, I invite you to contemplate the love that flows in and through UCBA. We have so much for which to be thankful.
Just recently
After Rev. Robin’s story of healing on Sunday, I invite you to read words from Myrtle in a 1936 letter that instructs us in empowering thought. This is great medicine!
I spoke about the incredible book, Radical Forgiveness, on Sunday. It’s one way to release and change our lives. Another similar option is from Florence Shinn. She tells stories of release in her books. She calls it casting the burden on the Christ within.
As we focus on the power of release this month, I am sharing Charles Fillmore’s daily practice that was published in a little booklet called “A Sure Remedy.” Forgiveness is a mighty spiritual practice to release all that is not serving us. Let us continue to release and make room for expressing the great good of love that is the truth of our being. Joy and peace arise as we release.
We are into the last week before election day. It is a time of anxiety for some, so I’d like to share a prayer from our dear Myrtle Fillmore to help us stay centered. We keep returning to the love that we are and remember that peace begins within.
On Sunday, 10/19, zeal was in full force! WOW, what a glorious day! The choir sang with zeal and every person that brought forth parts of Boo & Stew were zealous. From setup to cleanup, decorating, cooking, serving food, baking, creating fun
