Dear Friends,

It is so easy in these times of what seems like continuous negativity to find ways to both take care of yourself and also to remain open-hearted and humble.  The message this week is on humility and how it plays an active role in our spiritual practices.  I hope you can be here to interact with us on this and to listen in the silence.  When life gets hectic, it may be very life-giving to come and sit in the silence with others.

As humans, we crave community.  There is a longing to do things with others, to cooperate, to feel empathy, to show compassion.  Problems happen when needs aren’t met, and suddenly it becomes difficult to be those things with others: cooperative, empathetic, and compassionate.  We read the Tweets from someone in the administration, or we turn on the news, and immediately our need to show and practice good self-care becomes a priority.  The problem happens when the healthy defensiveness outlasts its role in selfcare, even in community, among family, with those with whom you worship.  Is there a shell around you as you interact with those to whom you are to be cooperative or show empathy with or compassion? How do we balance this with the want for variety of opinions in our lives and the role of diversity in integrity and in community?  It is not an easy time.  We can all use others holding us in the Light.  So please take time to be kind, to show love, and to hold your community, family, our nation and our world in the Light of love and goodness.

Two events are coming up very soon.  The first is a candlelight vigil to be held at Sugarman’s Corner Sunday, August 26 from 6-7.  We will be singing resistance songs and holding each other in the Light.  This is to call more attention to violence associated with ICE.  It is a community-wide event put together by the Citizens Action Coalition (CAC).

The other is our annual picnic coming August 16 at 10:00 at Moore Park.  There will be games and lots of fellowship.  We are inviting you back for this special day to help us celebrate and honor our church and its outreach, and the outreach of the attendees to our community.

Please read the following announcements.  There are plenty of things for you to be involved in and ways to help this church or our community. If you want to sing at the vigil coming up on Sunday evening from 6-7, you are welcome to come and practice with us at the Singing Resistance on Sunday at 2:00 PM.  We will be going over the songs we will be leading at the vigil.

May your road be kind and good to you as you are kind and good to others,

Leigh