“Community is much more than belonging to something; it is about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” — Brian Solis
Dear ones,
Oh, it is a month of gratitude and celebration as my Installation Service approaches on Saturday, June 13 at 2pm! I hope that all of you can attend in person or on zoom, and there will be community members and clergy joining us to share words and prayer, music and wisdom. My dear UU minister colleagues will speak, and we will have an abundance of music from our own musicians, choir and community choir. Thank you to everyone who is helping with coordinating this service and reception. I know it will be a memorable service, and I am deeply grateful. It is a true joy to serve this congregation. I continue to be transformed and reminded of what is most important through my conversations and experiences with you. Just this morning, Ruth L. was out on our stone patio washing the historic bench that traveled from our church in town. It takes a village, yes to care for each other, our dear building and lands, and live into our values every day. I am blessed, we are blessed to have this congregation of creative minds, open hearts and gracious spirits.
We begin the month of community events on Friday, June 5th as we co-host with the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community – Shemot Shelah Kirtan Shabbat beginning at 6pm. Shemot Shelah is a Jewish kirtan band led by musician/ storyteller Anna Sobel offering Hebrew chanting with feminine and non-binary names for the Divine. This sacred experience will be followed by a community dinner. My Installation Service is the following Saturday, June 13th and then… We will honor and celebrate Summer Solstice with a potluck dinner and concert on Saturday, June 20th beginning at 6pm. Dan K. and Sharon L. will offer music to sing and dance to bring in this new abundant season! A Community Pride Service hosted by the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Leadership Alliance is being held at Centre Congregational Church this year on the same day, June 20th at 2pm – a gathering of the interfaith community with song, prayer and words of wisdom and experience.
Reflecting on May, gratitude to everyone who contributed to our Stewardship Campaign this year, we exceeded our goal! And please know that if you weren’t able to make a pledge, this giving can happen any time throughout the year. Deep thanks to our hardworking Board members who orchestrated an inspiring Annual Meeting. We had another beautiful and successful Spring Fair despite the rain that came and went – to everyone who created beautiful handcrafts and helped with tent and table set-up, coordination, and the list goes on. Each event and service that we plan, coordinate, prepare for and then offer, I am deeply reminded of the creativity and health of this community. When we might feel scattered or alone, overwhelmed or unsure, may we gather our courage to reach out to each other. We strengthen the fabric of All Souls by reaching out for support, and through giving of ourselves. We celebrate the vital importance of being a strong and welcoming faith community, deeply needed in these times.
Blessings to each of you, Rev. Telos
Each moment is a chance for us to make peace with the world. In gratitude, I will water seeds of love in someone too. Breathing in, I am aware that I am breathing in. Breathing out, I am aware that I am breathing out. Breathing in, I am grateful for this moment. Breathing out, I smile. Breathing in, I am aware of the preciousness of this day. Breathing out, I vow to live deeply in this day.
– Thich Nhat Hanh