March 2024

Welcome to the month of March!

My mom and I took some UK friends to Filoli early in February, to see the beautiful gardens and grounds.  Other than a few hearty daffodils pushing their way above ground (which we loved!), there were very few green growing things to see. While that made the visit a little less exciting, seeing that brave bright growth in the midst of the dark not-yet of the rest of the garden, was also a great reminder of the coming rebirth and new life that daffodils have come to represent.

Often the first to peek their green shoots above ground, they are able to bring the first signs of brightness after a cold dark winter. Daffodils are an early reminder of nature’s promise of light after darkness, and hope in the midst of gloom.

In the church year we are just beginning the season of Lent. It is a time of following Jesus through the wilderness of temptation as we look at our own lives to see what temptations live in us and call us away from God. In the early church the season of Lent was a time of preparation for baptism on Easter, so often Lent is seen as a time of great cleansing. Whether your Lenten practice focuses on a new discipline of prayer, scripture

reading and reflection, or walks in nature, I hope you are able to grow closer to God during this time.

As we look ahead to the first day of spring, moving our clocks ahead and experiencing more daylight, Palm

Sunday and Easter, may the month of March bring you expectations of the coming of Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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January 2024

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you are able to begin this year with great feelings of hopefulness! Whether you have new year’s resolutions to Marie Kondo your apartment, your home, your sock drawer; or are going to exercise every day; or try to eat more healthy by eating something green everyday (even if on some days it’s only a green m&m); or if

you’re like me and don’t make new year’s resolutions because the disappointment of notmeeting my expectations is too great – wherever are on the new year’s resolution spectrum, thereseems to still be a great yearning for newness and change. We want to be re-freshed in some way.

The Bible doesn’t have a lot to say about your sock drawer or green m&m’s, but expecting newness and feeling hopeful are primary themes in our scriptures. God is always trying to reassure us that newness is coming, we have no reason to be afraid, we are not alone, and that anything is possible with God. Here are a few scripture passages to remind us that the refreshment we desire is always possible and present in our lives when we look to God. I’d love to hear your favorites too!

• Jeremiah 29:11

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

• Isaiah 43:18-19

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

• Psalm 32:8

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

• Isaiah 41:13

For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

• In Luke 2:10 an angel said to the shepherds,

“Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”

I look forward to an exciting year together as we celebrate the great joy that has been given to us in Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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February 2024

Welcome to February, friends!

I have just finished writing newsletter announcements for some important dates at church during this month

of February.  Be sure to see the full newsletter for these events.

     ✓ February 14, 5pm Ash Wednesday service with the imposition of ashes.

     ✓ February 18, Congregational meeting

     ✓ February 18, first Sunday in Lent

     ✓ February 20, Lenten class begins

This is also Black History Month. February 10 ushers in the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon. And of course there is the sweet if not socially pressured holiday of Valentine’s Day.

There is one very special day in February this year, that doesn’t come around very often. This year is a Leap Year (which is what the photo here is supposed to bring to mind!). That means that Thursday, February 29 is a gift.  A gift meant to make up for the loss of the other 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 56 seconds that it really takes for the earth to complete one orbit around the Sun. I found this article very engaging.

One entire day this year. Just think what that could mean? Do we get to pick our worst day and have a do-over?  Do we get to pick our best day, and joyfully do that one again? Maybe we could have a Leap Party that day? I pity any poor children born on February 29, 2024 as they will join a cohort of people who always have over-explain when their birthday is.

I’m reminded of a conversation the Ruth group (Ruthies) had this month, about the concept of time. How we spend it, how we value it, how we judge how we spend it, why “productivity” has so much to do with commercial, financial production instead of valuing the product of a healthy imagination, a really good idea, a well-rested body and soul? I’m also reminded of Mary Oliver’s poem, The Summer Day, that ends with the line, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Of all of the ways, and of all of the possibilities available to you, what might you do with this gift of one full day?

Remember that God wants nothing more from you than you be happy and fulfilled, even as we live this full complicated life we have been given. As people of faith, we believe that the closer we are to God, the happier and more fulfilled we are. Imagine. One full day. Extra. How will you spend your day?

Maybe you’ll spend it on my patio?

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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April 2024

As we continue in this Easter Season, I invite us to find ways to open to Christ’s love and healing for our mind, body and soul. So many places in the world right now are in the midst of brutal crises. We are likely already overwhelmed with news. Perhaps our imaginations take us to worst case scenarios even for our own country as we notice patterns of world leadership. What might begin as a healthy time of rest and distraction, has the potential to become radio silence if our break from the news becomes complete closure to anything outside of ourselves.

With Easter blessings,

Pastor Deb

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What a delight to welcome in April with the words Christ has risen!  He is risen indeed! Except for that tricky April Fool’s Day, the month of April is known for the coming of springtime, flowers budding and opening, longer days, and in general, just a little more breathing room. In Chicago, Michigan Avenue will be full ofcolorful tulips all along the entire length of the Magnificent Mile.

The word “April” comes from the word “aperire” which means to open. In worship we start with a big breath taken in together, and exhale, landing ourselves “where our feet are.” At the first inhale, the chest opens, the shoulders rise – we’re in a posture of readiness. When you think of springtime, taking in a big breath of fresh air, what opens up in you? What are you ready for?

Have you ever heard of a meditation breathing exercise where you inhale while thinking one phrase – and exhale thinking a second phrase? Sometimes called a breath prayer, or breathing prayer, many will choose a phrase like “Help me rest; give me peace,” “Make clear my way, O Holy One,” “Out of darkness, into light,” “Fill me, Spirit, with your love,” or “I trust in the Lord; He renews my strength.” These prayers are usually a short line from scripture, and are repeated in order to focus our minds on God. These are not mindless words meant to empty our minds, but mindful words meant to deepen our prayers. Instead of thinking of this as a time-out, try thinking of this as a time-in.