Dear Friends,

 We pray you are safe and well.

In the spirit of our philosophy of co-creating community and our awareness that the Spirit speaks through each of us, we invite you to share your meditations with us as well. We truly believe that in God’s economy of abundance, when we share our blessings, our thoughts, our feelings, we are all made richer.

 Today's Meditation is a video of walking among the trees recounting Mary Oliver's poem "When I am among the Trees." The meditation was sent to us by Jane Audrey-Neuhauser. You may remember how Mary Oliver states herein that the trees remind us of our mission in the world: “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this,

to go easy,

to be filled with light,

and to shine.”

We invite you to join us as we commit ourselves to working tirelessly to end systemic and structural racism in our society, in healthcare, in the workplace, in the Church--wherever it shows up so that everyone may come to have more abundant life. May this meditation nourish our contemplative-active hearts and sustain all of us in action.

We hope and pray that you and your loved ones experience genuine peace of mind and heart, and remain in good health during this challenging time.

In this "Season of Ordinary Time" in the Church Year, may this be a time of peace, of healing and hope, of the infusion of joy in your life!

With our love and care,

Ron & Jean

Meditation Eighty-two: Trees video to the words of Mary Oliver's "When I am among the Trees"

https://vimeo.com/424543255

When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this,

to go easy,

to be filled with light,

and to shine.”