Thoughts From Cascadia

Let’s Connect Week of June 21, 2020 Center…breathe…invite the Spirit in… Prayer O Living God of past and future, we praise you for this present moment. Fill us with your joy and empower us with your Holy Spirit, that our strength may be renewed to sing a new song of your glory in a world which longs for your justice and peace. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, in whom we become your new creation. Amen. ~ from All Things New, written by Rev. Susan A. Blain and Rev. Scott Ressman. Posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/50/pdfs/worship-resources.pdf Revelation 21: 1-5a (CEB) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "Look! God's dwelling is here with humankind.

Let’s Connect Week of June 14, 2020 Center…breathe…invite the Spirit in… How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would [God] be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin? But [God’s] already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously.   - Micah 6:6-8 (The Message) In a time such as this we need to focus, center and remember what it is we are called to be and do. Whether or not we are talking about the Covid-19 pandemic or the spike in the racism/white privilege pandemic we must focus and center. Broken chain on the Statue of Liberty - symbolizin

Let's Connect Week of June 7, 2020 OPENING PRAYER At the starting line of this day, we called on your name, at the ending of this day we call on your name again, God of grace. We run the race you have set before us, help us to keep our eyes on your goals, not our own. When we falter, give us fresh strength and courage. When we are fleet-footed, let us give you the glory. Keep us from wanting to win at other’s expense or to count ourselves better than those at our side. All runners are your children. In the race You imagine, each one is a winner. Amen. ~ written by Carol Penner, and posted on The Contemplative Network. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contemplative-Network/219806301435597 SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12: 1-3 & 14-15 (CEB) So then let's also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let's throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus

Let’s Connect – Week of May 31, 2020 Opening Prayer: Breathe… Holy One, for all of the ways you speak to us – in rushing wind…in dancing flames …in words we understand …and in all that transcends language, we give thanks. Give us courage to speak your love, everywhere we go, to everyone we meet. Amen. ~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Practicing Families. http://practicingfamilies.com/ Scripture 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 CEB There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. Breathe… Musing This week we are faced with two crises, one we have been living with for 3 months and the other for centuries. One we want so desperately to move beyond, the other we ha