Bring worship alive by celebrating the “Blessed Community” through laughter, joy, meditation, dramatizations, liturgy, and altarscapes.

Reverend Victoria Snow

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Ministry Statement

It is a true honor and my life’s blessing to have been called into parish ministry, where I share the love of our Creator with all of God’s beloved children. My ministry is based on the foundational belief that God’s love is big enough and broad enough to welcome every single human being on this planet, including people of all races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, sexual identification, past denominational affiliations, lack of church experience, physical or mental challenges, or social standing. The love of God flows through all people, binding and uniting us even when the messages of the world tell us otherwise. Through my ministry, I strive to build “Sacred Community” where the diverse people of God come together to listen to each other with hearts filled with acceptance, compassion, and the willingness to compromise and change former opinions by seeking justice for all.

This website is designed to offer an all-inclusive space for those wishing to grow God’s sacred community, seek creative ideas for worship, small groups, or retreats, and empower disciples. The following pages contain meditations, sermons, liturgies, and dramatization ideas for worship that I have written over the past 25 years in ministry. This project is new, and I plan to add new material. May the Spirit speak to you through these resources and nourish your soul.

Peace: Victoria

Theological Thursday:

Theological Reflections

Post each Thursday beginning May 9, 2024

People of “The Way”

The early followers of Jesus called themselves “The Way.” What a wonderful description for those faithful people who are called to follow Jesus's way of loving, compassion, and acceptance of all God’s people, especially in today’s world. Jesus calls us to find a way to create sacred community where conflict is met with a willingness to compromise and see the divine in all of creation. We must learn how to create safe spaces that foster and nurture open dialogue where the many and diverse voices of God’s children are invited into the sacred conversation. The faithful people are being called to develop “the way” to constantly strive to create loving, compassionate connections between people of different faith traditions (and those without any faith tradition), ethnicities, ages, nationalities, sexual orientations, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds while recognizing our common need to respect and preserve the precious gift of this planet and all life that our loving and healing God has created. We are called to learn

From the mistakes and pain of our pasts to develop new ways to heal, unite, and overcome our differences without turning to violence, war, and further division of God’s people and the destruction of this planet. This task is not easy and requires the commitment of the heart and a firm dedication to learn to love as Jesus loved. It may seem impossible to heal the world and create sacred community. Still, we can find “the way” if we open our hearts and minds to the teachings of our savior, allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with divine wisdom, and open ourselves to the guidance of our Creator. So, let us start by creating sacred communities within our faith communities through worship, healing ministries, outreach, interfaith dialogue, and partnerships and by inviting the healing power of our Creator to guide us as we discover what it truly means to be “People of the Way: Christ- followers and healers. “

The “Walking Palm”

I read about a remarkable tree called the “Walking Palm.” This amazing tree grows in the tropical regions of both Central and South America. Long, spindly roots grow both above and below ground. As the overgrowth of the trees around it becomes too dense and shades it from the sunlight, the “Walking Palm” slowly grows new roots toward the sun and allows the old roots to die. The new roots gently pull the tree forward, allowing it to move from the darkness into the light, receiving the sun's nourishing light.

Sometimes, in life, we find ourselves surrounded by darkness. We can become discouraged by the lack of opportunities we seek, the challenges we face, or the heavy burdens life calls us to carry. We often find ourselves getting stuck by life's challenges, allowing ourselves to become overshadowed by the darkness and needing the life-giving sun. We are not meant to stay in the darkness. Like the “Walking Palm,” we can choose to prune the “roots” that have kept us in the darkness. We can allow the negativity of the past to die in favor of growing new, healthy roots that will pull us back into the light. The roots of regret, isolation, anger, and resentment often need to be pruned from our lives so that we can stand in the light. Many of us don’t know how to release the “roots” that have been holding us back. --

Through the teachings of scripture, we learn that our God is a god of forgiveness, transformation, and new beginnings. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and through his resurrection, he offers us a path of forgiveness, leading to new life. These gifts are freely given to all, but we must be willing to open our hearts, accept these gifts, and allow the Spirit to pull us into the light. We can do this by engaging in bible study, setting aside time each day for prayer, reading theological books designed to deepen our faith and commitment to be disciples, journaling, meditation, engaging in outreach ministries, and coming together in worship. For most people, the journey from darkness into the light is not instantaneous; it takes time and effort. Just like the “Walking Palm” that only moves a centimeter at a time, the journey from darkness to the light of the son is life giving, nourishing, and well worth the effort,

Bringing Joy to Worship

Whoever said that worship had to be boring? The psalms encourage the worshipper to make a joyful noise, dance, sing, and shout. Music, art, drama, and dance are all expressions of worship. As a worship leader, I constantly remind myself that there are auditory, visual, and tactile learners within any given congregation. Creating worship opportunities to focus on each learning style is important. Quilts, altarscapes, and other visual artwork within the worship space enhance the worship experience. During Pentecost, I decorate the altar with red, orange, and yellow tulle to mimic the flames of the Holy Spirit. On Easter Sunday, a large white cloth is draped around the cross, tissue paper butterflies are attached to the cloth, helium balloons of all colors are tied to the pews at differing heights, large decorative butterfly balloons are inflated and placed on the pulpit and lecture, Easter quilts are hung around the sanctuary, and live Easter lilies and bright tulips are placed around the sanctuary. These visual details help proclaim the glory of the empty tomb while our choir fills the sanctuary with joyful music.

On the Sunday after Easter each year, I invite my congregation to participate in “Holy Humor Sunday.” According to the websites I visited, “Holy Humor Sunday” was designed to allow the worshipper to rejoice that death could not be contained and that Jesus had the last laugh by leaving the dark, empty tomb behind. On “Holy Humor Sunday,” I invite the congregation to dig deeply into their closets to find their silliest shirts, wild hats, and even their old costumes from Halloween. During worship, we hold a costume contest and give a bag of jellybeans to the winner. Before the sermon, I share clean jokes with the congregation that I usually get from joke websites designed for children. Congregants are also invited to share their clean jokes. The music for this day is uplifting and light to reflect the mood of the service. While all enjoy this service the children and young families seem to look forward to this service every year.

Being mindful of the entire worship experience, the music for the day is light, joyous, and uplifting. A few years ago, the church choir I serve dressed up in bathrobes as a living pun for a “robed choir,” danced, and sang “O Happy Day.” Below is an amateur recording of this experience. If you take the time to watch the video, you will see that “Holy Humor Sunday” was a “Happy Day” filled with the love of God.

Out of the “Box” Worship

Breakfast Church

Most worship experiences occur within the church sanctuary and follow a prescribed format. While this is a wonderful way to worship, I encourage you to think “Out of the Box.”Most of us sit in the same pew every week and only get to know our neighbors by the back of their heads. Others zoom out of worship and bypass coffee hour, hoping to get a table at their favorite Sunday restaurant. Realizing that Jesus often shared a meal with his followers, I wanted to create a similar experience for my church community, so I introduced our form of “Breakfast Church.” Once a month, worshippers gather in our fellowship hall, worship, build Sacred Community, and share a meal. Tables are arranged to welcome small groups to interact with each other intentionally. I have designed an open discussion time for the worship service. This allows for food distribution, encourages interaction among those gathered, forms new friendships, and is based on the scripture for the message. Most of us sit in the same pews every week and get to know our neighbors by the back of our heads. “Breakfast Church” allows the entire community to get out of their pews and worship. Below is an example of a “Breakfast Church” bulletin, liturgy, and discussion questions I have designed based on the scripture readings outlined from Acts. Please borrow or use this material as a springboard for starting your “Breakfast Church.”

Breakfast Church 4-28-24

Call to Gather

One: Good morning, Church! Let us celebrate that Christ has called us here to...

All: build sacred community based on the love of Christ, acceptance, justice, inclusion, and healing for all.

One: We gather this morning to remind each other that it is time to rise up: now is the time to do the right things!

All: With joy-filled hearts, we accept our call to discipleship, eager to heal the world and increase the community of believers.

One: Uniting our many voices in love, let us praise God together

Hymn:

Scripture Introduction: ( scripture for the day is read)

Grace: Blessing of the meal to be shared

Share the meal and discussion time. ( Questions are placed on each table, and while one half of the room is getting their meal, the other discusses the questions, and then this switches. * Questions below)

Choir Shares the Anthem - the congregation regroups and finishes the meal

Telling of the Sacred Story ( sermon)

Offertory

Prayer of Blessing over gifts

Prayers of the People- Lord’s Prayer

Hymn:

Blessings for the week.

Let There be Peace on Earth

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 8: 26-40

Group Discussion Questions:

At each table, the reading from Acts 2:42-47 is printed on paper along with these questions for each group to read and discuss. To make it more interesting and reinforce the message that we are all needed in the community, I printed out “paper puzzle pieces” and put this information on each piece. These pieces all fit together, which the children will be asked to collect and put together during my sermon time as an interactive children’s message embedded in the sermon.

The questions that go along with the scripture are:

1. What does “ belonging” to a church community mean to you and/or your family?

2. Why did the Ethiopian eunuch need Philip to explain what he was reading? Couldn’t he just figure it out on his own? What do you think?

3. The early followers focused on building and maintaining communion, serving those in need, and studying. How do you think God calls us to build community, deepen our faith, and welcome others into the love of the kin-dom?

Please reconstruct these questions to meet the needs of your congregation. These questions are meant to be a springboard for the sermon. Many members of my congregation found this awkward at first, but now that we have been doing this for several months, I have been told that they really enjoy engaging in conversation with each other. Many have found this to be the most meaningful part of our “Breakfast Church” worship.

Blessing of the Pets:The Tip of the Iceberg

On or around the feast of Saint Francis every year, I include a “Blessing of the Pets” liturgy in our Sunday service. On this day, I invite all owners of “socially friendly” pets to bring them to worship for a blessing. Socially challenged pet owners are invited to bring a photo of their pets. On this Sunday, we worship outdoors on the church front lawn. This is a great way to involve families and children in the worship experience. We also advertise this special worship service on our social media platforms and invite anyone who wants their pet blessed to join us.

While many churches offer this service, I invite you to think about the unique ways you can share God's blessings with others. Why not hold a “Blessing of the Bikes” service? This doesn’t have to happen on a Sunday morning but could be held at another time to welcome people from your community to join you. You could hold a “Blessing of the Motorcycles” at the beginning of your riding season or a “Blessing of the Bikes” at the beginning of the summer to include all the children and bicyclists enjoying the good weather. You could design a service for boaters if you live in an area with many lakes and boaters.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and the needs of your community to share God's love with others. Let’s face it: We can all use a little more blessings in our lives.

The Church is not a Building: Outdoor Worship

Gathering on our front lawn has become popular for our church to worship. Living in Florida, we have many wonderfully cool sunny days in winter and spring. We often worship on our church lawn to enjoy the beautiful weather. On the days designated for “Worship on the Lawn”, members are invited to bring their lawn chairs and those with physical needs can sit on the paved area. We have a portable microphone system so that everyone can hear. One great advantage to worshipping outdoors in front of the church is that we bring our worship into the public square. Our church is in front of a city park, and when we worship on our lawn, we invite them to join us. We have also had several members cook hotdogs and hamburgers, asked members to bring pot-luck salads to share, and offered those in the park to join us for a picnic after worship.

Besides worshipping on our lawn, we rent a pavilion at a local park several times a year and hold “Worship in the Park.” When we hold worship under the pavilion, I get there early and arrange the picnic table in a “U” shape so that all of us can face each other. When planning worship for these Sundays, I usually try to incorporate a “camp” feel. Singing old favorites such as “Jesus Loves Me”, “Jesus Love the Little Children,” and other vacation bible songs brings a lightness to the service. There is also something sacred about worshipping among the birds, flowers, trees, and nature.

Picture from my sabbatical in Sedona, AZ.

Keeping in mind the different learning styles within the congregation, I have designed Maundy Thursday services that invite the worshippers to travel from table to table as they reflect upon the last hours of Jesus' life. Each table has a scripture reading, arts and crafts project, or meditative writing experience. I have used clay, paint, paper, and other materials to help enhance this experience. The worshipper is encouraged to travel for each table at their own pace. Quiet, somber music is played in the background, and the mood is one of reflection. The story unfolds as the worshipper travels from each table, and the walk to the cross becomes clear. After all the tables have been visited, the congregation joins together in the sanctuary for communion. Then, a soloist sings “ Were You There” as the cross is covered in black cloth. The room is then dimmed safely, and all leave in silence. I have also offered a Maundy Thursday experience that invited the congregation to gather in our fellowship hall to wash each other’s hands, pray together, share a simple meal, read the stations of the cross, share communion, and extinguish candles until finally, the Christ Candle is extinguished and the cross is covered with a black cross. After sitting silently for several moments, the congregation recites the Lord’s Prayer and then leaves in silence with the lights safely dimmed.

Several times a year, I offer healing services for those facing challenges, grieving, or needing to reconnect with the divine. In front of the sanctuary, I place stations for journaling, meditating, coloring mandalas, completing a pen labyrinth, painting rocks, and doing quiet prayers. I usually offer a brief homily or guided meditation. There is also a station for those who wish to pray quietly with me or a deacon. Many people commented that they enjoyed it when I gave each a bottle of bubbles, went outside as a group, offered a prayer, and invited them to release their prayer bubbles to God.

Service As Worship

I would be remiss if I didn’t remind all of us that service to others is a powerful way to worship God. Without putting our faith into action to help spread the love of God to others and bring healing to the world, we lose our focus. We are called to be living examples of God’s love in the world, seek justice, and love as Christ loved. Simply put, we are called to be disciples of the living Lord and not just hide our faith and light under baskets. By feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely, befriending those who feel isolated, tending to the sick, helping those who are grieving, reaching out to elders, helping those in crisis, and answering the needs of others, we share the love of Christ and our actions become acts of worship. Find what you are passionate about and get involved. We each have our own gifts that are given to be used for the work of the kin-dom. The key is to find what touches your heart, connects your faith, and helps you answer the call to discipleship.

There are many ways to answer the call to discipleship and stand up for justice. As you serve food to the hungry, collect socks for children, send letters of encouragement to those facing challenges, engage in a missions project, or stand up for social justice, remember that you are worshipping God by answering the call to spread the Good News throughout the world, uniting with other faithful followers, strengthening the kin-dom, and loving others as Christ has loved us.

Ecology Justice: Earth Day

Earth Day is a perfect way to engage the congregation in ecological justice and bring their awareness to the need to care for our planet and each other. The decisions we make each day have consequences for the health of our planet and our relationships with others who share this beautiful planet with us. Getting the children of your church involved in ecology justice is a great way to educate and inspire the adults to get involved and build intergenerational relationships. There are many different ways to engage the congregation in ecological justice ministries. Still, I have found that getting them involved with something that has a specific meaning to them is always easier.

In my church, a retired minister was passionate about saving monarch butterflies. He grew native milkweed plants and shared seeds and seedlings with anyone who wanted to help the monarch butterflies. Children and adults are fascinated with the life cycle of a caterpillar to a butterfly, which has much theological symbolism for the resurrection of Jesus. Using the story of the endangered monarch, build a hands-on ecology justice ministry project by contacting your local extension service to find out where you can obtain native milkweed seeds and plants. Share the story of the need to protect the food source for the monarch butterfly since people have taken over so much of their land and pesticides have hurt their population. Teach the children and adults to be good stewards of the planet and help protect one of God’s most delicate creatures.

Consider discussing ways that your church building can become more ecologically friendly. Ask your leadership team to review the use of paper, plastic, and other resources within your building. Are there ways you can recycle, cut down on plastic, and/or reduce the waste produced by your congregation? By encouraging the church's leadership to explore these questions, you can help build awareness of ecological justice within your congregation.

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Sermons and Dramatizations

The weekly sermon is the perfect opportunity for the pastor or worship leader to engage the congregation and build a relationship. I remember watching an old “Mr. Bean” skit that highlighted a parishioner bored out of his mind during worship. While this was a humorous skit, it also portrayed the experience of too many parishioners. Worship should be engaging, nurturing, interactive, inspirational, and intergenerational. Sunday mornings are great opportunities for the worship leader to bring the sacred stories alive through drama and vibrant illustrations and to connect the words of Holy Scripture to the lives of those living today. When preparing my messages, I look for illustrations from advertisements, movies, songs, and common experiences, making the messages relevant to the listener.

A few weeks ago, I was preaching about sitting quietly and listening for God’s still, small voice. During the message, I shared with the congregation that I had accidentally turned off the ringer on my phone. Throughout the message, I kept referring to ensuring that our “notification buttons” are turned on. We must be ready to receive “God winks” and divine guidance by spending time in prayer, study, and service. As a result of this illustration, parishioners kept coming up to me during the next week to let me know that they hadn’t turned off their notification button. That serves as proof to me that they were listening and got the message.

Palm Sunday Sermon ( recorded by a parishioner)

Christmas Eve Dramatization

Stone Soup: Intergenerational Stewardship Lesson

Introduction

While on sabbatical in Sedona, Arizona, I visited Slide Rock State Park. An old tree on the river’s bank caught my eye as my daughter played in the water. Somehow, I knew that this tree had a life lesson to teach. Finding a comfortable resting place at the tree's roots, I allowed myself to listen deeply. Over the gentle gurgling of the water that tumbled and caressed the canyon’s rocks, the whispers of the universe touched my soul. Entering the flow of creation, I pulled out my cell phone and began writing. There before my eyes, delicate foamy white bubbles sprang to life and danced upon the creek’s surface, bringing the gift of oxygen to the fish below. A petite brown and black speckled lizard stretched out on a jagged brick red rock, eagerly soaking up the sun's rays.

The rhythmic “Bthrr…Bthrr” of a downy woodpecker as it drilled into the bark of a tree filled the air. Flying insects softly hummed as they dipped into the small pools of stagnant water dotting the river’s edge. Birthed with the stars, forming an invisible bridge that unites the eons, the ancient song of the river drew my soul into the vibrational flow of creation, calling me to share my experience with others. Our lives are so full of noise. The noise from our modern-day lives threatens to smother our souls. The following is a collection of meditations designed to reconnect worshippers with the divine by reminding them to slow down. God’s holy presence is always with us if we are willing to stop, look, and listen.

The Ancient One: Tree Wisdom

Deep dark crevices carved into the ancient cedar tree marked its age to anyone who took the time to notice. The once handsome king of the woods was now in his declining years. Many would dismiss this wise elder, preferring youth and beauty over the ancient one, but not I. I recognized a true warrior of the woods in the mutilated husk of the old, twisted trunk. One who had gone to battle with the forces of nature: rain, wind, snow, sun, and time. Each adversary had done their best to bring the warrior to his knees. Yet, the ancient one did not allow defeat to claim him. Instead, he displayed his battle scars like a powerful monarch wearing his crown of gold with pride, authority, and wisdom. Making a note of each broken limb, I suddenly realized this tree had a message to share with humanity. Although the years had taken their toll, the ancient tree still boldly raised its branches toward heaven.

Making the Connection: Life is full of challenges. It takes pure soul courage and spiritual determination to stand strong when the negative forces of life have placed you squarely within their crosshairs. Sometimes, all the strength we need is to rely upon the deep eternal light that shines within us and raise our hands toward heaven.

Take a few moments to sit quietly. Allow your breathing to become slow and rhythmic. Close your eyes and ask the Holy Spirit to enter your consciousness. When you are comfortable, allow your inner self to enter the universal flow within you. Reclaim your connection to the divine Creator, remembering you are made of stardust and love. Embrace the healing, loving, and accepting power that flows from your soul. Now, name the challenges that you are facing. Allow yourself to feel uncomfortable. Then, taking a deep breath, remind yourself that you are not alone: God is with you. Take another breath, and as you exhale, release your worries and fears to the Giver of Life. Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the gifts of wisdom, guidance, and healing you need to overcome. When you are ready, open your eyes, breathe deeply, and in a firm voice, proclaim, “ I am a warrior connected to the divine power of the universe. God is with me, always. I am going to overcome. All is well.”

The Winter’s Storm

Plop, splatter, splash, the footsteps of the marching troops thundered across the heavens. Greedily, the approaching storm swallowed the sun, blanketing the world in eerie gray-blue darkness. Instantly, the raindrops transformed into great iron fists, pummeling the earth with their angry assault. The pounding wind mimicked the sound of drummers on the battlefield, whipping the storm into a chaotic frenzy. Southern Live Oak trees, with curtains of Spanish moss, billowed in the wind, clinging desperately to their leaves. The storm savagely ripped them from their grasp, scattering torn leaves across the land and creating a sea of debris. Great golden swords pierced the darkened sky, filling the land with fear, dread, and destruction. Hearing the battle cry, the peaceful waters of the Suwannee River boiled and churned. Fierce, enraged waves sprang to life, sinking their vicious teeth into the soft sands of the river’s bank. With the razor-sharp precision of a surgeon’s knife, new inlets and pathways are created, reshaping the river's course.

On and on, the battle raged as wind, rain, and lightning brutally assaulted the once peaceful earth. The storm’s temper tantrum, having burned brightly, began to wane. Steel bullet raindrops faded into feathery soft kisses that nurtured the ground with the gift of life. Sensing the subtle shift, the wind gentled into a soft breeze. The once ear-throbbing thunder roars echoed in the distance as the great swords of lighting melted into the calming shadows of dusk. With an audible sigh, serenity seeped back into the deep crevices of the earth. The relief-filled cry of a hoot owl echoed throughout the woods, proclaiming the passing of the storm’s violence.

Still raging from the unwelcomed intrusion, the engorged river churns, bubbles, and boils. Frothy white peaks emerge from the gray-green depths, creating water mountains upon the river’s surface. The angry frenzy will eventually give way to calmness, for even the mighty river must bow to its maker: the Creator of universal peace and love.

Making The Connection to Winter’s Storm

Scripture tells us that Jesus rowed out onto the lake. Having preached to the crowds, Jesus slumbered. Suddenly, a great storm appeared. The calm waves transformed into angry fists pummeling the sides of the tiny boat. Howling wind and great splatters of rain hit the faces of the disciples. Tendrils of fear lashed out at the disciples, causing panic to take hold of their minds as their teacher slumbered peacefully. Overcome with anguish and fear, the disciples turned to Jesus. Seeing the raging storm, the teacher gently calmed the seas and brought the little boat to safety.

Sometimes, our lives can become as wild and frightening as a summer storm. Panic, fear, worry, and anxiety threaten to claim our lives. It can be challenging to turn to Jesus and trust that the great teacher will calm the storms of our lives and return us to safety. Yet, when we find the strength to trust in Jesus, we find the true power to overcome the world's problems. Deep within each of us, there is an unbreakable connection with the divine. This lifeline is always in us and always available to us. The challenge is to believe in this lifeline, hold fast, and trust God when the winds blow and the storm rages around us.

Take a few moments to quiet yourself and breathe deeply. Focus on the black space between your eyes as you feel your body relax. Using your imagination, envision a golden cord of light forming around your heart and moving upward to connect with the divine. Allow yourself to feel the peace, comfort, strength, and wisdom this cord offers you. Using this golden cord, allow yourself to share your concerns, fears, worries, or troubles with the divine. Know that God is always with you and that God is always there to guide you and offer comfort. Now, focus on this golden cord and listen for God’s still, small voice speaking to you through the silence. Open yourself to the hope, peace, love, and joy God offers, and welcome these gifts into your heart. When you are ready, open your eyes. Take a few moments to write down your experience. Use this practice anytime you feel overwhelmed or disconnected from God.

Turtle Tales

The chill of the northern Florida winter silently crept through the forest, spreading its tentacles around all things living. Touching the banks of the river, it slithered from the sandy shores into the deep, dark waters. Finding their shells poor protection against the work of winter, the turtles’ bones began to ache from the biting cold. As the early morning sunrays climbed over the horizon, the turtles emerged from their muddy homes, hoping the sun’s kiss would banish the sting of winter. One by one, the aching turtles slowly crawled from the freezing water onto the fallen cypress. Lined nose to tail, they lifted their heads and stretched their chilled webbed feet toward heaven. As more and more turtles arrived, seeking the warmth of the log, they would readjust their bodies, making room for the newcomers. Eagerly soaking up every precious ray of body-warming sun, the turtles formed a blessed community. Each offered the Spirit of life their heartfelt prayers of thanksgiving. Gently, rhythmically, the lapping of the river’s current against the cypress transformed into a hymn of thanksgiving. As pure as the stars, the turtles’ gratitude linked them together as they soothed their souls and warmed their weary bodies. Here, on a fallen log, the precious gift of community was formed.

Making the connection: Community

A hundred or so years ago, people lived in small towns, knew their neighbors, and understood the value of community. With the invention of the internet, cell phones, and the technology to connect with almost everyone on this small planet, many people still yearn for face-to-face conversation. Being technologically connected is very different from being psychologically and socially connected to a community. Laughter shared with a good friend, a hug from a child, the gift of a heartfelt conversation, and the ability to unburden one’s soul to another are more precious than gold. Each of us has a deep spiritual need to connect to others meaningfully.

Spend some time today celebrating the community around you. Reach out to a friend and let them know that they are valued. Call your family and invite them over for dinner or a movie. Send a card of appreciation to someone who brings joy to your life. Celebrate the gift of community that enriches your life and connects you with the love of our Creator.

Ideas for Lent

The sacred season of Lent is an opportunity for the faithful to step back from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives and focus on the radical love of our God. Like all precious things, the days of Lent can often fade into the background of our daily lives. A few years ago, I invited the members of my congregation to create “Lenten Door Decorations.” This family-friendly art project brought everyone together and was a Lenten reminder. We then shared our pictures of our creations. Below are a few photos of my congregation’s creativity, and I hope they will inspire you.