Blessings to you, A2U2 members and friends, on this Thursday morning.

 

We find ourselves in the depths of December and nearing the shortest day and longest night of the year. I can’t believe how fast it happens. I love the dark of December, but I struggle with my expectations of accomplishing the same number of tasks as I do when it’s light late into the evening and I have more energy. To give into the soul’s yearning for rest this time of year takes a willingness to let go. In that spirit, I’ll be brief with my words. 

 

I hope you’ll join us on Sunday morning for the annual Winter Solstice Service and Ritual, lovingly and thoughtfully put together by the Allen Avenue Pagan Group. It’s not so often that the Solstice falls on a Sunday morning… so it will be a collaborative service with Sunday morning elements mixed throughout a more typical pagan ritual. I can’t wait! 

 

And next week brings us to Christmas Eve, where we’ll have an all-ages service at 5pm and a more traditional service with the choir and preaching at 7pm. Both will include lots of candles and song. Together we light the way. 

 

I’ll leave you with a short poem by Alix Klingenburg, entitled “It’s Dusk Again.”  

 

Time moves faster 

than my soul

in winter. 

 

I barely wake

and it is night

again. 

 

Projects fall behind

and I sit with my 

fresh brew

 

and ponder just

how gray the sky

can be. 

 

Blessings to you and yours, until we’re together again. 

Rev. Tara