We need to find ways to encounter the wider community, which is one reason I’m excited about the electronics recycling event that’s scheduled for later this year. It’s a non-confrontational event in which we help the community (and God’s creation!) by offering this service, and people can encounter us as well.

I invite you, too, to consider ways that the church might participate in the community in which we find ourselves: how can we as a church take care of people, or take care of creation, or encounter the community? Feel free to talk to me at church or to email me your ideas.

Grace and peace to you and yours,

Becky

Prayer

Compassionate and Gracious Creator, you breathe life into all of creation. In you, we live and have our breath. Breathe into us, as we breathe together in the stillness of our hearts. Breathe with us, as members of our families and community, created in your loving image. By your breath, re-create us as one family and community, rich in diversity, rooted in love, filled with respect for one another. By your breath, fill our conversations with thoughts of peace and inspire our actions with deeds of justice.

Breath of life, hold us in your heart, where we can all breathe together as one. Breath of love, heal us all – black, white, brown; women and men; young and old, whom you have quickened into life by your loving breath. Breath of hope, empower us to re-create our world with your light, love, and life.

Compassionate and Gracious Creator, breathe in us, now and for life. Amen.[1]

[1] lightly edited from a prayer by Sister Anne Arabome