Monthly Archives: September 2021

I love to tell the story

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Maren

I have wrung every tiny bit of meaningfrom the Good Samaritan story.Preached it, made it into a play,several actually –one with a trans rescuerin what many thought was the“wrong bathroom,”written letters homefrom all the participants,twisted new and special themes – … Continue reading →

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Guest Post from Donna Knutson

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Maren

So many thanks to Donna Knutson for letting me share this beautiful poem. I am taking time to be with family in Colorado and consider all the gifts I have received, all the possibilities for giving. It is a quiet … Continue reading →

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Celebration of Holy Communion for World Communion Sunday October 3, 2021

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Maren

I have been sharing Communion liturgy each month on my blog Gifts in Open Hands since April of 2020. This liturgy is shared freely to churches and all other places where people gather. Please use any piece/s of this service … Continue reading →

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Auld Lang Syne for World Alzheimer Awareness Day September 23

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Maren

(gathered from bits of  friends’ conversation during my fifteen year daily visiting in memory loss units … let’s face it, sentimentality is not a crime there!) Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?To this I would not … Continue reading →

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Blessing for a Child born in Autumn

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Maren

Born into the color of chrysanthemums –umber and amber,purple and gold and bronze, may you have color in life. Born into the leaf-fallingand the life-clarifying time,of the scarlet-chasing of maples,and the dark true silhouettesof oak and elm,bare as bones, may … Continue reading →

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Prayer for Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Maren

God, we pray for fourteen thousand,mostly Haitian,many, many families,fleeing the turmoilafter the assassination,after the earthquake, the storm. Under the bridgeare people who have comefrom very troubled waters. People lay themselves downon squares of cardboard,blankets, under tents made of reedsto wait … Continue reading →

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Gloss on Mark 9: 36-37

Posted on September 19, 2021 by Maren

As Mark tells it,Jesus put a child in the midst of them,but Mark forgot to mention the kidwas a little pudgy, some early acne,playing a hand-held video game.Not a superpower kid.Not even an adorable and hungry childthat makes you want … Continue reading →

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A School Blessing

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Maren

Invite people to bring these objects – a notebook (paper), a tablet or laptop, a soccer ball, a jar of peanut better, an apple, a peach, a mask, either a container of construction paper or enough crayons so everyone can … Continue reading →

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One in Five Hundred

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Maren

Maybe here – the crème colored housewith the bright orange doorand four basketballs in the yard(what child needs four,unless a parent’s trying to fill a hole?) Or the dark stained corner house,with porch, American flag,late roses and early pumpkin,or the … Continue reading →

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Prayer as Tropical Storm Nicolas Approaches

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Maren

God, someone asked for prayersfor a dry bookstore.In your mercy, hear the hopesof those who know disasterhas many pagesand takes different forms. I understand the Houston Zoois closing to customers,please be with employees who stayand so many frightened animals,also with … Continue reading →

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