“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” Abraham Joshua Heschel

Being where we are
Is a blessing
Because it’s the only place we are
To live
Breathe
Eat
Move
Stillness
All holy

Our theme for June is “Celebrating Blessings,” and we have many blessings in this
congregation to celebrate. First, each of you who show up in our sanctuary and virtually from
your lives is a blessing to all of us. Each of you offers a new possibility of what a blessing looks
like. During this time I’ve gained a deeper appreciation that each of us is singular, particular, like
no other. Yet we are connected. These two realities offer us a mirror look into the world of
blessings. We need look no further than our own lives – the reality of living, breathing, eating,
moving, and being still. In noticing these blessings, gratitude naturally emerges, and out of
gratitude comes generosity. We have so many generous members in this congregation: those
who have volunteered to run audio/video during services, those who maintain our grounds,
those who lead small groups in meditation, discussion, and tea. We have generous members
who care about justice, and who care about the environment of the local community. We have
members who have joined in partnership for those who care about reproductive justice in our
valley, and those who care about embodying nonviolence for our society and the safety of our
children.

To live is also to experience the reality of loss. Things change, we change. Celebrating
blessings is also honoring these transitions: the transitions of the pandemic, transitions of
personal loss, transitions of collective loss and grief. These are not separate from our blessings,
because they are not separate from life. Making space for us to feel our way through these
transitions is part of the mission of this church. Making space for us to live and breathe through
what life offers, and to be reminded that we are part of a community of caring through all of it.

I can think of no better time than this to belong to a church like ours – not because we’re
perfect, but because we’re human, with a vision of humaneness. I’m looking forward to
celebrating this month with our Homecoming Sunday on June 12. This will be a special service with a potluck lunch to follow, a chance for us to reconnect for food and company. Join us for
this special service.

Things are heating up around here, with many ways to participate for the benefit of our
community. Don’t hesitate to get involved – to be with us, to live with us. There’s no other way to
holiness.

In faith,
Rev. Joseph