December 18, 2019

Season’s Greetings to one and all,

Sunday before last, I traveled from GNUUC to the congregation in Lexington which I served for 14 years. I’d been asked to give the eulogy for a long-time member who died in October. She had dementia for several years; hence, the current minister did not know her well. I was a bit apprehensive. I hadn’t been to the church but once in six years. I knew everyone would be at the funeral. I didn’t know how they, or I, would feel after a long absence. 

Of course, my negative expectations were unfounded. I had delightful interactions with many, many members and felt welcome and at home there, even after so much time. The biggest shock was how gray and how much older some folks looked (including, I am sure, me! I was 44 when I arrived) But, as I sat on the podium waiting for my time to speak, I was still nervous. Others spoke. One of them, a member long before my time, came up to share. She paused, however, and greeted me by bending down and giving me a kiss, saying, I love you.

I can’t begin to explain what that small gesture meant to me. As I thought about it later, I realized that it will be one of those moments I cherish as long as I have memory. It was such a simple thing, but it left a large impression. In that moment, she was like an angel to me.

There are all variety of supernatural angels.

But I’m thinking about the people who, in the moments that they are most needed, show up with love, empathy, and kindness. They are everyday angels.

And what they bring, and how they bring it, is timeless, is mystery, and is miraculous: Love.

I hope you will make time to attend our Christmas Eve service. I’ll be taking on the theme of angels, and there will be some fabulous music presented by our Music Director Fran, our choir, and several other members. Feel free to bring family. It won’t be a supernatural service, but it will feel comfortable and welcoming to those of any faith, or of none. 

Here are some words by the theologian and pastor Howard Thurman:

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.

This work is the work each of us must remember to do. And together, we can do.

With Love,

Cynthia