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CentralNews

Oct 2019 Vol. 28, No. 2

From Rebecca

The Sun Never Says

Even
after
all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
“You owe me.”

Look
what happens
With a love like that,
It lights the
whole
sky.

Written by Hafiz, a Persian poet, in the 14th century, these lines are timeless.

The powers of love are truly miraculous. Not only do they light the whole sky, they light up each of our lives.

In his book, “The Second Mountain,” David Brooks writes about an evening with friends who spent the time discussing politics, economics, monetary policy.… [Read More]

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JOIN US ON GATHERING SUNDAY:  SEPTEMBER 8 AT 10:30 AM!

From Rebecca

Dear Friends,

Henry David Thoreau wrote these words in his Journal on August 23, 1853.

One hundred eighty-six years later, they ring so true.

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each.”

As the days of August pass by and we look forward to the brisk routines of September, I’m paying attention to Thoreau’s wisdom.… [Read More]

A PDF version of this Newsletter is available here for download

Join Us for Worship on Gathering Sunday, September 8, at 10:30 AM!

From Rebecca

Dear Friends,

This note could be called “The Wisdom of Mischa and Hedwig.”  For you see, I’ve learned much from them in the past few weeks.  They wake up every morning ready to start the day with happiness.  Tails wagging, (you remember these are our dogs!), they look forward to frisking about and finding something new if it is cool, or relaxing if not.  If I’m reading or writing in the morning, they are ready to wait till I’m doing something more interesting for them; but still, they are content to wait and drowse! … [Read More]

Central News – June / July 2019

A PDF version of this Newsletter is available here for download..

FROM REBECCA

Dear Friends,

Just when you begin to despair in this cold wet spring of ever seeing the sun again, here comes a bright and clear morning!

Most of you are aware that Aidan Kelley will be leaving us after half a dozen years of leadership with our youth to begin a new career direction in school guidance counselling. He will continue to work at

Central through June 15, and we are planning a celebration for him on June 9 during worship!… [Read More]

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FROM REBECCA

Dear Friends,

Do you ever feel like one of those divers on the Olympic high board just before the plunge, in need of a pause to reflect?

Or maybe one of the jockeys (or his or her horse!) right as the gates close behind you before the Kentucky Derby?

As I take this week after Easter to reflect on the state of our world, the dreadful bombings of worshippers in Sri Lanka, the anger giving rise to terrorism beyond our imagining, and divisions upon divisions, both small and large,

it seems as though we all need at least a moment to deepen our thinking.… [Read More]

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FROM REBECCA

Dear Friends,

As you walk about outside these days, you can see that spring is coming . . . the slant of the sun’s rays is different . . . The air itself is lighter, and the snowdrops are out, not to mention the crocus and the daffodil greens.

Walk carefully, though, so that every coming out blade of grass by your feet can shout out to you, “Easter is coming!” Easter, the time of resurrection, the day of hope, the end of darkness, and the coming of the Light that overcomes that darkness.… [Read More]

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FROM REBECCA

Friends,

From the sublime (the power of compassion) to the well not exactly ridiculous, but to something far more mundane (the dog park).

In his book of prose poems called Tears of Silence, Jean Vanier writes,

I fear
the mysterious power of compassion
compassion requires that I have found myself
and no longer
play the game
of putting on a mask, a personage
pretending to be
appearing
Compassion requires
That I become myself
accepting my poverty
letting the Spirit breathe
move
live
love
in me
opening my being
without fear
to the delicate touch
of God’s hand
accepting that I am loved
as I am
with my fears and frailties
with my intelligence and competencies
with my heart and with my hopes
free to be myself

I thought of that poem as I reflected on the new puppy we rescued.… [Read More]

Central NEWS

CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

FEBRUARY 2018 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 12

FROM REBECCA

Friends, so here we are in 2018—125 years ago, in 1893, our founders were building this structure we call Central. The technical word for this anniversary is Quasquicentennial; however, I am proposing we celebrate 2018 as the 125th year of living gratefully around the ideals of our founders: living, giving, serving, believing and growing in faith.

As this new year unfolds, I ask you to prayerfully consider how you might live in a more faith-filled way. How might you find new ways to give your time, talent and treasure?… [Read More]

Central NEWS

CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
JANUARY 2018 – VOLUME 24 NUMBER 11

FROM REBECCA

Dear Friends,

So, there I was at the grocery store, not one of my favorite tasks. But I reminded myself how lucky all of us there were, to be able to choose between Gala apples and Fuji. I kept on filling up the cart, splurging on a pomegranate, getting some great bargains on day old fruit. I daydreamed a little, thinking about the others sharing the aisles with me…the old lady who looked tired even before she started.… [Read More]