November - Pray
11/4/24 Casting my vote tomorrow!
This election season has seen the rise of Christian Nationalism, a blending of American identity with Christian allegiance. But this version of faith strays far from the spirit of Christ or "WWJD". Jesus embodied compassion, integrity,
generosity, truthfulness, and inclusion. As a brown-skinned Jewish man, he taught that "All are children of One God” and "Love is the greatest commandment." He blessed peacemakers as the true children of God. He never condoned cruelty, dishonesty, mean-spiritedness or divisiveness. Instead, he called us to radical compassion, nonviolence, forgiveness and being a good neighbor. It's a tall order - but, it's also crystal clear.
Christian Nationalism is like a smoke bomb clouding the real issues.
- Yes, unborn lives absolutely matter - and so do the lives and choices of the girls and women who carry them.
- Gun rights are important - and so is public safety and common sense.
- Border control is necessary - and so is humane treatment of immigrants.
- National strength and security are vital - and so is our shared global existence and responsibility. No country stands alone; history shows enemies can add up quickly.
- Affordable living and prices matters - and so do ethical practices and unethical profits. The earth matters and so do all who inhabit her.
These issues are not simple. They call for wisdom, depth of understanding, perspective, creativity and compassion. And, if you are willing to get beyond the surface smoke... most of us care about the same things. We really do have much in common.
This election is historical. As we choose our leaders, please consider each candidate’s actions, character, words, promises and experience. Consider how they treat truth and how they treat others. Values, integrity and methods matter.
Let us pray for discernment, remembering that the Holy Spirit speaks through peace, love, and truth - not hate or vengeance.
May Christ’s love guide our choices. The world is watching, and our future depends on it.
Vote… inspired by love, Rev. Darlene Strickland
October -
Recognize the abundance in your life and share it with others.
September - Pass it On
A month-long initiative focused on the idea of generosity and circulation. Recognize the abundance in your life and share it with others.
- Pass along items you no longer use or need.
- Pass along and share your time, skills, and kindness with others.
As you pass it on, you enrich lives and create a cycle of generosity that uplifts and connects everyone involved.
August - A Daily Practice of Prayer
As we approach the upcoming election, we invite you to join us in a daily practice of
prayer fostering peace, compassion, and understanding - in our hearts, among our
political candidates, and throughout our nation and beyond. To support this, we invite
you to join in making the following prayer blessing a daily practice.
Begin by offering the prayer for yourself “I”, then direct it to our political candidates, “you”
and finally, to all beings “we”.
May (I / you / we) have peace, compassion, and understanding.
May (I / you / we) feel love, know love, and be loving.
May (I / you / we) be a blessing in the world.
1. Morning Practice: Begin your day by reciting the prayer upon waking. Allow these
words to set a peaceful and loving tone for your day.
2. Mid-day Reminder: Take a moment during your lunch break or midday pause to
reflect on the affirmation. Repeating it can help realign your thoughts and actions with
these positive intentions.
3. Evening Reflection: End your day by reciting the prayer before bed. Reflect on how
you embodied these qualities throughout the day and how you can continue to do so.
4. Share it: Invite others to participate.
Your participation in this daily practice will not only enrich your own life but also
contribute to a ripple of positive energy that can impact the hearts and minds of all.
July - Practice the Art of Pausing
We invite you to “Practice the Art of Pausing” in July. This simple yet powerful practice can transform our conversations and interactions, deepen self-awareness, enrich our well-being and foster greater resourcefulness. Pause. Breath. Collect yourself. Resume.
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June - Joyful Spirit Initiative
Join us for a month-long practice dedicated to embracing joy and creating joyful experiences. Let's explore the presence of joy in our daily lives, take time to cultivate joy-filled moments and experiences, and spread the upliftment it brings. 
May - Make it Better, Make it Beautiful
This month, we'll focus on different ways to enhance our lives, the lives of others, and the world around us.
APRIL - No Complaints
Wrist bracelets available in the Lobby
MARCH - 7 Minutes of meditation or prayer and 7 daily gratitudes
FEBRUARY - Blessing Bags
"I Care Kit" - Fill a bag of any size with essential and/or thoughtful items. Include a note or a blessing.
JANUARY - Make a Difference
Every day for the next 21 days, let someone know that they make a difference. Through acknowledging the impact of others, we illuminate the energy of appreciation and magnify the power of positive influence. Just imagine the ripple effect!
