Dear Friends,

Many have shared that they are happy to see 2020 come to a close. This past year has been challenging for us all.  We have navigated our way not only through a pandemic, societal unrest and racial injustice, but also through a polarized election season that has seemed to have gone on forever. Yes, collectively and individually we have been overwhelmed as “our world” as we know it has been cracked open.   

The season of winter is upon us. Metaphysically, winter represents a time of hunkering down, a time of inner stillness and reflection, and a time of release in preparation for new life in the spring.  The seasons of our lives do not always follow the calendar cycle and most would agree that we, as a collective, began our inner experience of winter in the early spring and are longing for it to be over. 
I understand!  

What I wholeheartedly place my faith in is that humanity, on a deep soul level, has said YES to a profound, collective awakening.  I place my assurance in knowing that each one of us is imbued with a resilient spirit, that when summoned upon, will endow us with the patience, strength, and courage we need to endure and transcend our season of winter, regardless of its duration.   

December not only ushers in the official start to winter, but also welcomes the celebrations of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.  Although traditions vary in how these holidays are observed, the one thing they have in common is the symbolism of LIGHT.  As the candles of the Menorah, the Advent Wreath, and the Kinara are lit, many take time to pause, reflect and remember that we do not enter the harshness of our dark and barren times without our INNER LIGHT.  I believe that the light of resiliency, hope, and the promise of new and glorious life is the flame that burns brightly at the Divine core of us all!  

My dear friends, as you participate in your holiday candle lighting this year, I invite you to designate a special candle to light each evening at 8 pm during the next month to symbolize your inner resilience and faith in the promise of new life.  Before lighting your candle affirm, “I am the Light of Divine Resilience, Faith, and New Life.”

Let us also remain connected throughout the holiday season by participating in the virtual special services that are listed below. I hope you will find comfort from the words penned by John O’Donahue in his poem, “The Spaces Between Us” also below. Together we stand in Truth, Love, and Life to bring Light to the darkness. 

Love,
Rev Angela

The Spaces Between Us

This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.
Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.
If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.
~John Donahue

Holiday Schedule

Dear Friends,

For the last few years, I have had the sacred honor and privilege of presiding over an annual remembrance service. During this service, we came together to acknowledge the members and friends of Unity by the Shore along with your personal loved ones who have made their transition during that calendar year.

During this year’s “A Time of Loss… A Time of Transcendence” service, we will recognize and celebrate the beautiful souls of Rev. Joanne Murphy and Mary Carlucci, as well as, your dear ones who have journeyed beyond the veil in 2020. If a loved one(s) of yours has made his/her/their transition in 2020, and you would like his/her/their name to be acknowledged in a prayer during the service, please share his/her/their full name and relation to you (sister, friend, dog) with me by completing the form below by December 11th. I realize that our pets are precious, so if a winged or furry family member has made its transition, please share its name with me as well.

This year has been filled with many forms of loss, such as, the loss of employment, income, hugs, gatherings, and a lifestyle which we had grown accustomed to. Therefore, I thought it would be healing if our ceremonial practices during this year’s special service were also devoted to acknowledging all forms of loss. Lastly, our ceremonial time together will end with reflecting on the Divine qualities you would like to animate in your life and into the lives of others. Let us remember that death in its many forms is a doorway to new life if we are willing to acknowledge, embrace, and allow our grief to open our hearts to a greater capacity to love and be loved.

On the day of the service, I invite you to have handy with you 2 heart shaped paper cut outs and 1 star paper cut out that will be used during the service. These do not have to be anything fancy. Simple hand traced cut out shapes will do. Additionally, If you would like to include in your Zoom virtual space an image(s) of your beloved(s) or a small memento that reminds you of him/her/them please do so.

Let us come together during our “Time of Loss… A Time of Transcendence” service to hold sacred space for one another, heal, and commit to be transformed and renewed by the healing power of Divine Love and Grace.

Love,
Rev. Angela