Take Home Reflections Week of November 23 2008

TAKE HOME REFLECTIONS
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 23-NOVEMBER 30
Our theme for the year: Home


SUNDAY November 23, 2008
In the entranceway of my house, there is a painting from Haiti by a fellow named Casimir. He painted this village market scene, full of bright vibrant colors and triangles and circles in the 1950s. It is one of my prized possessions, because I bought in Washington DC in the early 90s at a Haitian art store. I bought it when I had little business buying anything of value. I had little money. But I scraped the money together and took a chance. I love that painting. It reminds me of my starting out as a young adult in the DC area, all that energy, all that vibrancy, all those new opportunities. In a word, it stands for possibility.

What piece of art work in your house stands for something other than what is in the frame, or on the canvas? Where does it take you? How does it make you feel?


FAMILIES:
If you have children old enough to understand, tell them a story about a piece of art work in your house. Tell them about your life at that time.

What can you and your whole family create together? What are you working on just now?

Remember, I asked in early fall for you to befriend a tree. How is it doing?

MONDAY November 24
All around, you can see the energy building towards the holiday season. Christmas trees are appearing in the local hardware stores. Decorations are out and about. Radio stations are beginning to play the music of this season. It is a festive time.
What will you do to keep yourself in balance this holiday season?

FAMILIES:
Ask your child: What would you like me to teach you about this week? If you ask, they will tell you. Go to the library together and pick out an age appropriate book about what they’d like to learn about!

TUESDAY November 25
In his reflection during the service last week, Our Paths Home, Tyson Danner talked about the healing power of community, and specifically on what he valued about the Unitarian Church community. He said, that he always loved the song, There is a Balm in Gilead to heal a sin sick soul. He said that he doesn’t know if there is a balm in Gilead or not, but he knows there is one in Davenport.
What helps to keep you whole? What helps to heal the wounds that are uniquely yours?

FAMILIES:
There is an opportunity to prepare stockings with stocking stuffers for truly disadvantaged children in the community. Sarah Moulton (sarahmoulton1@yahoo.com) is leading the way. We’ll dedicate those, I think, on December 14th. Share with your children a time when you helped another person and what it meant to you. Go out if you can and buy some stocking stuffers with the kids, and tell them who they are going to help (children of domestic violence and children formerly homeless.)

WEDNESDAY November 26
Thanksgiving Day is nearly here. Some great old church person said: If the only prayer I offered up was thanks, that would be enough.
Say a prayer of thanks today. Take five minutes. Be still. And whether you offer your thanksgiving to God or to the universe or to someone who helped you, offer up thanks!

FAMILIES
Teach your children to say prayers of thanksgiving!

FRIDAY November 28
Today, stores open up at an ungodly early hour. What is your relationship with commercialization and consumerism. Sometimes I buy things to make me feel better. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. What would it be like to adopt an attitude of greater simplicity? On December 14th, the service will be on simplicity. What was a favorite holiday memory that did not include material goods?
FAMILIES
If it is not too cold, take a family walk together. Notice things that you find absolutely beautiful that are absolutely free!


SATURDAY, November 27
Tomorrow at church, the image we’ll lift up is the idea of wild geese. There is a poem by Mary Oliver by that name, Wild Geese, that you can find here
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2002/06/21
Read it and think about what it says to you.
See you in church!