A Witness To Our Presence — October 2016

Bird on stone

One week ago today I stepped back onto the beautiful earth found here on the shores of Lake Superior. After a week of travel in England, I returned with a new sense of groundedness, joy, spaciousness and gratitude.

The journey began with a circle of 16 women sharing stories and intentions for our time together. Our backgrounds were diverse, our experiences varied and yet we shared a sense of curiosity and adventure.

As a part of our pilgrimage that week we visited many sacred sites and my favorite was Stonehenge. For years I have dreamed of being in the midst of these ancient stones, silently listening for the stories and the wisdom they have to share. When the time came and I walked into the circle of stones I cried tears of joy and deep gratitude.

We gathered in a circle, within the circle, for a  sunset ceremony and just as we were ready to begin a raven flew up and landed on top of one of the stone pillars as a witness to our presence. The raven watched, and occasionally joined in, as we sang songs, said prayers and welcomed that precious moment between sunset and moonrise.

Our leader Mara invited us to find a place to sit or stand or walk in silence, opening our hearts to  receive whatever the stones had to offer. I chose to sit by the same stone the raven had chosen. It was a powerful experience and as I look at and hold the pictures from that place, I remember.

The day after I returned to Duluth I went to my  beloved Lake Superior, took off my shoes and again stood on the sacred, holy ground of the earth. I remembered how the poet David Whyte talks about God asking Moses through the burning bush to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. Whyte believes that wherever and whenever we take off our shoes, we can be reminded that we too are standing on holy ground, the holy ground of our existence.

In my newsletter article last month I ended with these words: I look forward to going and I look forward to returning, knowing we always remain connected. I am beginning to better understand those words, “we  always remain connected.”

When I was away, the new church program year  began. Thank you to all who helped to make it a meaningful time for our church. I am looking forward to the ministries and programs we have and will plan, which include:

  • Sunday school for our children, adult studies for our grown ups AND this year confirmation for our youth.
  • New members to our Praise Team and returning members to our adult and children’s choirs.
  • Many, many opportunities for outreach andcommunity service.
  • Fall pasties are behind us and donuts, pies, pantry and meatball dinner are right around the corner.
  • And, a new church directory is being created that is filled with people who are beautiful from the inside out!

Peace & Joy!

Pastor Cindy