The first two Sundays of Advent, we will light a chalice of patience and one to dispel injustice. For the third Sunday, we will pledge to work for that most rare of things—peace on earth.

In this holiday season
May we find peace inside ourselves;
May we be peace for those around us,
And may we renew our commitment
To bring peace with justice
To our community and the world.
May we be peace.

– words of David Breeden

Dear ones,

This season of the year is dear to my heart. The many lights kindled and lit within so many traditions lifts my spirit and reminds me of our common ground, the truth of our connections, the desire fragile and strong that might be held collectively deep within each of us for peace, an end to violence and disharmony. There might be a place inside of everyone that longs for community. 

To be held within our community of All Souls is a gift. We need to gather together, need to lean on each other, and celebrate our common humanity. Winter Solstice is a time to honor and celebrate the changing of a season and to cradle our dear earth – kindle a fire in the darkness and let songs fill the sky between dark branches. Advent is a time of preparation for a new way of living and being, an honoring of birth and new life. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are celebrations to honor the strength and power of community. This is a holy time in many traditions. Yes, it has been commercialized and material gifts might have been elevated above other “gifts” we might give or receive, but it is our choice how we approach and embrace this holiday season. 

We have our inspiring and festive Holiday Bazaar with our incredible array of handcrafted wreaths and gifts, chocolates and baklava, artworks and ornaments that you have been creating and All Souls has been offering to the community for decades!  We will honor the darkness of Winter and celebrate the light at our Solstice Potluck Dinner and Dance. We have worship services throughout the month that celebrate a variety of traditions including our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, and then we celebrate the New Year together on the morning of January 1st with our Pancake Breakfast, begun over twenty years ago by Kathy and Steve! May this season, this time bring each of us what we might need and let us celebrate the strength and comfort of our community, together. Let us share our dear light in all its forms, and believe that Peace can come to us, for everyone, on earth.

Blessings, Rev. Telos

 

Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with us…

Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa!