Dear friends,
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
                                                                                                                          -2 Corinthians 4:16

The new year fills us with opportunities to set goals and to assess where we are in achieving current and past resolutions.  With last year being a sabbatical year and having the time to focus on some of my goals, I am pleased with where I am as we head into 2026.

I attribute this not to just reaching my goals, but to formulating a “Way of Life” that has helped me to stay in balance with my spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. My simple rule of life (which I renamed “way of life”) follows a focus on eating, praying, moving, loving and resting. When a way of life becomes a rhythm it is no longer about resolutions or goals, but a means to staying in tune with God.

I have formulated a “Rule of Life” for myself many times in the past. What I realized is that I made them too restrictive and too precise to work for me. This time is different in that I made my areas of focus general enough to accomplish, but specific enough to require my attention.

On January 25 during the Family Forum at 9 AM, I will share the importance of having a Rule (or Way) of Life and how to formulate one that works for you. I will share resources to help direct us in getting started. Hopefully, we can set a pace that will help us look back this time next year and feel pleased with where we are in our spiritual, physical and emotional health.

Blessings,
Gini+

Dear friends,
We have now entered the liturgical season of Advent as our church calendar begins again. One big difference that you will notice in our worship this year is that the color of the altar hangings and my stole have changed. Instead of the traditional color of purple we now have Sarum blue. (From the Medieval Sarum rite)

I am particularly excited about this change as it has been a growing practice that has its roots deep in our heritage. Records of inventories from the medieval diocese of Salisbury (Sarum) from the 13th and 16th centuries show that blue silk vestments, altar cloths and chasubles were part of the liturgical attire. Today the practice of using blue during Advent is mostly seen in Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopal congregations. This became more prevalent during the Victorian era as a way to distinguish between Advent and Lent. Many Christian churches are shifting the emphasis of Advent from a penitential season, such as Lent, to a celebration of hope and anticipation. We will not neglect that it is also a time of introspection and preparation.

The color blue has several symbolic meanings: royalty, the coming of the King, the night sky before the dawn, the sea as God’s creation, hope and of course, the mother of Jesus, Mary.

This all would not have happened without the leadership of Halsey Dillard and Lisa McCue and their team Stephany Breed, Bea Gates, Jean Hillsman, Betsy Moore and Martha Redstrom-Plourd. In observance of our 325th Anniversary they have gifted their time and talent to make these new adornments for our worship for which we are truly appreciative. The symbols on the hangings represent the Huguenot Cross, the fleur de lis and the dove of peace. The cross with the dove on it was seen while on our pilgrimage in France!

I hope that you enjoy the new hangings and all that they symbolize. May we use this opportunity to reflect on this season of hope.

Blessings,

Gini+

Dear friends,

“Lord, make us instruments of your peace.” (BCP p. 833, A Prayer attributed to St. Francis)

This week I attended Clergy Conference at Chanco where Br. James Dowd, Monk in Residence in the Diocese of Nebraska and Founding Prior of The Benedictine Way, spoke to us about centering prayer. I have practiced centering prayer for over twenty years, sometimes better than others. One thing that resonated with me during this conference was the realization that when I focus on my centering prayer life, I don’t just feel peace, I am at peace. I had not distinguished the difference before.

My prayer life of late has become what I have shared with you on Sundays, a laundry list of requests for God. The petitions and intercessions have become long. Of course, I pray the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer but on some days, I just check it off as done. I have not been dwelling in Christ and inviting him to dwell in me.

In centering prayer, I leave the words alone. My hope is to just be with God giving him the time and presence that I yearn from him. If we strive to be Christ in the world then we need to take the time to be with the one who will show us how.

I find comfort in the words of Parker Palmer: “It takes no special talent to look around our world and point out things that are numbing, depressing or death-dealing. But becoming aware of what’s good, true and beautiful demands that we open our eyes, minds and hearts and keep them open.

Then we’ll begin to see the beauty everywhere, not only in nature but in human nature. Then we’ll have the inspiration, strength and courage to resist what’s wrong and work for what’s right.”

May I suggest that we cut back on worldly influences and focus on the Good News. Let us look and see how Christ is working in the world and through us. Let us set our goal for each day to be a blessing to someone in need and in the words of St. Francis may we be an instrument of God’s peace.

Blessings,
Gini+