Minister's Page
Here we are, entering the final month of 2024. This year
has held much joy and challenge, along with an uncertain
future. So, this month in the midst of the varied holidays
that are meaningful to us, let us focus on the strength
found with those we love and who support us.
This month always connects me to the shifting seasons.
Light is extremely important to me, so as December begins,
I can feel my need for more light. I look forward to the
Winter Solstice knowing that the next day I will receive a
bit more light. It isn’t much but I know the light is growing.
Most of us have holiday traditions that shape December’s
days. And some of us are creating our own rituals and holi-
day traditions. As our lives and our families change, our
emotional and spiritual needs evolve. What a gift. We live
in a time when we can let go of rituals that no longer meet
our needs.
Some of you may have heard the story of the family that
always cut the ends of the ham off before they placed it
into the baking pan. The current couple did this because
the wife had learned it from her mother who learned how
to cook the Christmas ham from her mother. Finally at one
family gathering at which the “official” cooking of the ham
had taken place, the granddaughter of the original cook
asked her grandmother why the ends were always cut off
the ham. Her grandmother said, “That how big my pan
was.” So a practical necessity had become a tradition with-
out the following generations asking why cooking the ham
was done the way they always did it.
I love many traditions, but it is also wonderful to find
new ways of enjoying and appreciating our family and
friends. How about starting a new tradition? Would you like
more laughter or joy or reflection at your holiday celebra-
tions? What would you like to do? Try it! But a hint, warn
folks about changes and new traditions. We might not
know the emotional ties folks have to certain traditions or
rituals. Memories are made through long held traditions
and new experiences. Every family has a weird holiday
story. You might create a new one this season.
Join us for wonderful services with special guest speakers
this month, our traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve ser-
vice and two special concerts for our enjoyment.
Be safe this season. May you find Joy and Peace during
the Sacred Seasons of December.
May you find Beauty and Companionship in your
celebrations,
Blessings,
Terre