It is happening! On February 14 we are scheduled to have a heat pump unit installed in Fellowship Hall. After much research and comparing bids, the board has determined that a heat pump is the best option for us. Not only will it provide heat in the winter, but it will also provide cooling in the summer! Thanks to all of you who supported Giving Tuesday, we have the funds to pay for this.
The first Soulful Lunch and Learning was a great success. Our presenter Karen Swasey Jones did an amazing presentation on narrative medicine and how to use it for our loved ones and ourselves. On March 29 she will be doing a workshop taking us through the process. Watch for the announcement coming out in Heart Thoughts soon.
On March 1 there will be our next Soulful Lunch and Learn with Linda Cooke LCSW, BCD. The presentation will be Discover the Enneagram: An Introduction to Self-Understanding. Are you curious about understanding yourself and others at a deeper level? This ancient personality typing system reveals the nine distinct ways people view the world and interact with it. Gain insights into your own personality, identify your strengths and growth areas, and enhance your relationships. Register today!
Sunday’s message, “Cultivating Inner Peace,” couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. Inner peace is all about maintaining a state of mental and emotional calmness, even amidst external chaos. It’s the art of keeping serenity and balance, no matter what life throws our way.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, is the practice of being fully present and aware of the current moment—free from judgment.
When you find yourself off-kilter and longing for that sense of serenity, try this mindfulness practice: Close your eyes and take a deep breath in. As you inhale, feel the breath entering your body. When you exhale, release any tension or stress. Keep breathing mindfully, bringing your focus back to your breath whenever your mind starts to wander.
I encourage you to revisit Sunday’s message, which you can find here. Take another look at the meditations on mindfulness and the Loving Kindness meditation. They’ll be your anchor as you navigate the inevitable turbulence of this week.
Join us next Sunday for the fourth message in our series, “Starting 2025 with Purpose and Unity,” titled “Empowering Personal Growth.”
I’m deeply grateful for each of you taking the time to read this. You truly are special!
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
