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In just a couple of days it will be July 4th. For many, this day will pass just like any other in this time of COVID-19. The usual picnics and family barbeques will not be happening and the traditional fireworks in most areas have been canceled. We celebrate July 4th as we have for the last 244 years as it was a very important event in our history. It was when we won our independence from England. When we became the United States of America, an independent nation.
I believe we are living right now in a most important time once again in our history. We are witnessing another call for freedom from our black, brown, and indigenous people of color. I want to thank our community for the support we receive for standing with our brothers and sisters of all races, religions, and sexual orientations. We have been open to all who have come through our doors and will continue to as well as to make our presence known in the greater community.
For over six years we have been actively participating in hosting speakers that are bringing the message of nonviolence, educating us on other religions and spiritual practices. We have been holding classes on peace literacy, the Golden Rule of all major religions, and organizing an ongoing presence at the rotary of 202 and 302 on Sundays in Windham for peace, justice, and equality.
I am telling you all of this because a friend sent me a text today. She asked if I had one sermon to give, what would it be. My response was to see everyone as a human being made in the image of God. We are here to live in harmony and peace, accepting we all have various opinions on issues but not on the issue of our humanity.
Now having said all this, it moves me to our message from Sunday: “All is Welcome Here” from the book What’s in the Way IS the Way by Mary O’Malley. Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about the storyteller in our head, which keeps us out of the meadow of peace. The Storyteller in our head gives us false information, often scary information. It is at our heart level that we must learn to listen compassionately within. Our Heart is the LOVER of WHAT IS! Our heart accepts and loves ourselves. Our Heart takes us into the Oneness from which we care, and cherishes all parts of us. Our heart is open to life and its flow.
Mary says: “The amazing thing is that our Storyteller, with its fears, judgments, resistance, doubts, confusions, shame, and addiction to control – is here to teach you about living from your heart again. Everything that tightens you in your life is a request for the healing energy of your heart. The full transformation of the spells that make up your clouds of struggle happens when the spells are met with your compassionate attention. It is your mind that tries to solve things. It is your heart that dissolves them.”
All things divinely intended for my life must be made welcome – heartbreaking, unfair and ugly are surely well deserved, but more than that, they make way for the truest truths and a love so impossibly beautiful it will outlast this soul for sure. ~ Grace Gibson
Next Sunday will be “All is Well – Come Here.”
On another topic: Dinner that Dee prepared last Friday was scrumptious. If you want to pick up or dine out at the church this Friday, email Dee to place your order by this evening.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
Labyrinths are ancient geometric figures. One leaves one’s worries and stress at the entrance and walks meditatively to the middle. As one walks to the center she/he becomes centered within her/himself, calmer, and more grounded. 
