Monthly Archives: June 2014

Sacred Space

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Maren

Buddha under the cross, rice grains, lotus, incense balanced on a rack of hymnals. The funeral is prepared in the congregational church for the man who taught Tai chi, and his students do their forms in the aisles, the chancel, … Continue reading →

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Morning Walk … Thank you for the rainbow

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Maren

“Ever, indeed, … never enough.” Mark Rideout’s words. Mark of Somersworth, New Hampshire, writes a reflection on one morning walk and combines — awe, praise, wonder, trust and call — a modern-day psalmist. Isobel DeGruchy of South Africa follows with … Continue reading →

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Rachel sits on her father’s gods

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Maren

There are texts which never make their way into the Revised Common Lectionary and yet call to me with some contemporary significance. Genesis 31: 19-35 is such a story and one that I have been thinking about since U.S. Father’s … Continue reading →

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Dayenu … it would have been enough, a poem

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Maren

This gift comes from Dee Ledger who offers the following as her brief biography: “I joyfully serve a congregation in Bethesda, Maryland — Bethesda United Church of Christ and am a widowed mother of two precious twin boys, age 21 … Continue reading →

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Praising the Playful God

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Maren

Playing with God a poem that began with Psalm 104 and turned to the Fifa World Cup Bless the God who plays legos snow forts, frisbee and sand castles soap bubbles and badminton, and dress-up in an old wedding gown, … Continue reading →

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Reading the Bible for Iraq

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Maren

The first page I read about Iraq it was called Eden, a place God planted and loved a place where pomegranate and fox were named, but all too soon there were brothers fighting. And the second page, Iraq was Nineveh. … Continue reading →

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A prayer to the Father who never leaves us, from Mexico (two languages)

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Maren

Ruhama Pedroza, of Mexico, published this heartfelt prayer through the kindness of Red Crearte and gave me permission to ask Lucy Berrios Taveras for a translation. This is an incredible gift. Please share it further as you know people whose … Continue reading →

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Call to worship and blessings for Trinity Sunday from Aotearoa / New Zealand, Canada and the United States

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Maren

Elaine Bolitho of Aotearoa / New Zealand sends this blessing for Trinity Sunday. In many ways, such a blessing could be for any Sunday but Trinity Sunday — this year June 15 — is an occasion to reflect on this … Continue reading →

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An invocation based on Psalm 8

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Maren

Aware that next Sunday’s lectionary asks for Psalm 8 (responsive): O God, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Your glory — light-years old in galaxies, is also the waking cry of infants, the “twinkle, twinkle” song of … Continue reading →

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Ode’imin Giizis, Heartberry moon — Finding a voice, lending a voice

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Maren

With this morning, the day after Pentecost, I begin another year of this blog “Gifts in Open Hands: A Blog for a Pentecost Year.” This blog began two years ago as a way to share prayers, poems and liturgical resources … Continue reading →

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