Prayer for the Roots in the ruins: hope in trauma facilitator training

They are coming,
from the south and the north
and from next door.
In in search of healing
for themselves, for others, for creation.
Guide their steps,
and the hands of pilots, drivers,
and transportation crews,
so that all may safely embark
and disembark
at the mark of their quest,
high in the Chiapan heartland.

Join us in praying  for the Roots in the ruins: hope in trauma facilitator training next week!

I bind myself today, hymn by Saint Patrick

1 I bind unto myself today
the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three.

2 I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ’s incarnation,
his baptism in the Jordan river,
his death on cross for my salvation,
his bursting from the spiced tomb,
his riding up the heavenly way,
his coming at the day of doom,
I bind unto myself today.

3 I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea
around the old eternal rocks.

4 I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
God’s eye to watch, God’s might to stay,
God’s ear to hearken to my need,
the wisdom of my God to teach,
God’s hand to guide, God’s shield to ward,
the word of God to give me speech,
God’s heavenly host to be my guard.

5 Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

6 I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three,
of whom all nature has creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation;
salvation is of Christ the Lord!


Source: Glory to God: the Presbyterian Hymnal #6

Goodness

Goodness is stronger than evil;
                        love is stronger than hate;
                        light is stronger than darkness;
                        life is stronger than death.
                        Victory is ours, victory is ours
                        through Christ who loved us.   Desmond Tutu

Blessing from Cuba

Blessing from Cuba

(The congregation forms a circle large enough to include everyone.  Each person either places their hand on the head of the person to their right or their right palm on the back of the left hand of the person to the right.) 

                May God prosper you.

                May your days be long and your nights serene.

                May your friendships honor you, and your family love you.

                May you eat at your table, and

                may you be gathered into to God's embrace

                with a smile.

Sept. 2018

Not who we want to be; who we are

Not who we want to be; who we are

The Otomíes of the state of Querétaro are one of the original peoples of México.  The state of Querétaro borders the state of San Luis Potosí.  This doll is crafted by the Otomíes and exemplifies the diversity of women or of humanity.  Each doll is handmade, and even though the dolls look alike, each one is also different and unique.

Just like us.

Doña Severa, an over-90- year-old artisan from the municipality of Amealco, Queretaro, stated in an interview during the Fourth Festival of the Indigenous Doll (2016):

"Our people know that these dolls are not like the plastic ones massively produced in series by machines.  Our dolls are produced with our hands.  This is not who we want to be; it is who we are."

God made you and me with God's hands, and this is not who we want to be; it is who we are: sons and daughters of God by pure grace.

This doll's name is Joy which in Otomí means: Earth.

Written by Nohemí Nidia Bravo P., from the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.  Translation by Elena Huegel

Haiku

Bike path 

Zipping past

frowns and glares

cheered on by flags of green and gold.

Autumn 

Wind fights with leaves,  

which fall into carpets

of failed resistance.  

Bird Calls

Morning bird chirp 

afternoon song.

At moonlight, owl screech.

How could anyone

How Could Anyone Ever Tell You
by Libby Roderick

How could anyone ever tell you

You were anything less than beautiful

How could anyone ever tell you

You were less than whole

How could any one fail to notice

that your loving is a miracle

How deeply you’re connected to my soul