iHOPE

The Holy Ground of Grief

"May God be with you as you figure out life without someone so near and dear to you."

The words above came with a disclaimer that the words in the card might not be theologically "correct." They were perfect. I have been getting many such cards, filled with kind and healing words. Some were wise. Some were comforting. All were heartfelt.

Sometimes the most healing gestures had no words. A look, a hug, a gesture. A presence. The actions of many epitomized the compassion of the picture on the left. Whether it was words, actions or silences, they all help with the healing.

For those who are wondering what this is about, my dear friend, Rich Gantenbein passed away suddenly on April 27. It was his 68th birthday and he died of a massive heart attack. We were to meet the following Monday, as we have done for 30+ years, to do our annual week of sermon preparation, idea sharing, and a general reminder of the blessings of friendship. Instead, Lee Ann and I were in Sonoma last weekend for the Memorial Service and to worship with the good folks at St. Andrew Presbyterian. 

I share all this not because this death is more unique than any other death or my grief is somehow special. Just the opposite. Grief and loss are the most universal experiences of the human condition. They are the natural companions of love and gratitude and when we stand with people who are grieving, we are on holy ground. The pain is a testimony to a life that has been affected by love.  I am grateful for that pain and for having so many sit with me in the midst of it. 

Thank you.

The Real Trees of Christmas: This Year's Giving Forest

There is an amazing thing that happens 20 feet from my office. Trees show up on the walls of our Prayer Walk Hallway and nothing gets me in the Christmas mood faster than watching them. For my money, these are the Real Trees of Christmas!

At New Hope, we have a long tradition at Christmas.  Individual and family needs are identified and attached to a "tree." People decide which needs they can meet, shop for the request and bring it back in time for Christmas. We are not alone in this. Many churches have their version of a Giving Tree and it is something we have done for many years. 

Until we couldn't.

The needs increased every year. At some point, there were so many needs they didn't all fit. So we stopped doing a Giving Tree...and created The Giving Forest!

Every year there is a transformation of the trees in our Giving Forest.

Abraham Lincoln and Thanksgiving

Among the many things for which to be thankful on Thursday, be sure to include Abraham Lincoln!

It was Lincoln who declared the first national holiday that we know and celebrate every November.

It was 1863 and we were still in the throes of the Civil War. Tens of thousands of soldiers had been slaughtered on the fields of war, including the recent battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Nonetheless (or maybe precisely because of this), Lincoln called the nation to a time of public Thanksgiving. Citizens were asked to offer their gratitude for the many blessings, even as they were to remember those in great sorrow and loss. 

I read portions of this proclamation as part of my sermon, "The Serious Business of Gratitude," but it's worth reading in its entirety. It is a good way to remember the heart of this holiday and how it might still best be celebrated.  Here is the full text :

A Grateful Day

 

We started a new series last Sunday:  The Gratitude project.

If you are having trouble seeing "The Gifts of the Day", try this video.

Enjoy!

Father Thomas Keating

 

If you have been part of our Everyday Spirituality classes and events, you probably know of Thomas Keating. Otherwise, you may not. In either case, this short video will illustrate why he has been a mentor, teacher and guide for many. He passed away this week. The way he faced into death is a pretty good indication of the way he faced into life, and why so many were blessed by it. I'm one of those people.