Central News

December 2019
Vol 28 No 3

Download the PDF version of this Newsletter

From Rebecca

Dear Friends,  Christmas and all that … trees and tinsel and not enough time … Bah, you know! …  and yet ….

“For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).

You and I have all heard the criticisms of Christmas … too much materialism, way over-the-top sentimentality and kitsch that I think actually lead to moods of depression and sadness, since none of us could ever measure up to the expectations.… [Read More]

Central News

Nov 2019 Vol. 28, No.  3

Download a PDF version of this Newsletter

From Rebecca

Dear Friends,

“Eat, drink and be merry.”

This phrase rings in our hearts and our ears as we look forward to Thanksgiving, a time truly to gather together, to reflect on the year, to savor times past, to remember and appreciate the harvest, to share a feast together, to invite the outsiders in, to articulate our blessings.

And yet, too often, we forget this is only half the saying. This first part comes from Ecclesiastes 8:15, “Then I commended mirth, because a person has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.”… [Read More]

Download the PDF version of the Newsletter

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]

Download the PDF Version of the September Newsletter.

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]

Download the PDF Version of this Newsletter

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]

Download the PDF Version of this Newsletter

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]

Download the PDF Version of this Newsletter

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]