Worship-Sunday January 29 2012

Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson

A Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation

Posted in Announcements

by Stephen Shick

Sunday January 22, 2012 at 11:59 pm

Suffering: A gateway to more compassionate living.

We live in a culture that avoids suffering at all costs and denies the ever presence of death. Yet, suffering and experiencing the death of a loved one can be a gateway to personal freedom and greater joy. How would your life change if you were to accept, truly accept, suffering, not as tragedy or inconvenience, but as opportunity to live life more fully, purposefully, compassionately?

During this service you will have the opportunity to participate in an anointment ceremony where you will be privately asked the question: How do you suffer? The person asking you that question will simply listen deeply then touch your head with oil and compassionately say "Go in peace." Participating in this simply ceremony during congregational worship can have a powerful healing effect.

Words to move the spirit

Waiting Moments

Blessed guide in my waiting moment, help me listen to the songs in my soul. When all that could be done has been done, when all that ought to have been said has been spoken, come to me. Still my mind, my hands, and my mouth, that I might hear what is expected of me. If I should ask, “How long must I wait?” Whisper to me, that I have already arrived. Help me see that in this waiting moment the shaman has drawn out the sickness of impatience and satisfied my deepest longing to be of use. May I always bless the waiting moment of my life.
from Be the change.
Skinner Books, (copy write 2009)