This week's authors are Anne and Tim Hughes, Co-Directors of Silver Lake Conference Center for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
Glimpses of The Road,
The Entranceway,
Right after snowfall at Silver Lake... All less-travelled terrain, this time
of year.
The Cross from a different perspective:
The photo above shows the cross at the Hubbell Chapel at Silver Lake from a
different perspective. And at a different time of year than most of us see
it. Look at the photo for a moment and see what comes to you. We invite you
to be open to whatever images, messages surface.
Here's what came up for me:
Us reaching out, cold, bent...
Re-turning to Jesus, always reaching out to us -- Arms of the cross never stop
being open to us, inviting us to re-connect with God.
Winter quiet. Christmas is over now. Christmas with its warm hands holding
us, embraces with loved ones, full, so full of hope and gifts from God and
each other. Laughter, anticipation and finally joy and the ultimate
reassurance of Jesus among us.
Now that time has passed and we are in Winter. Now the woods bare their
skeletal patterns through the snow, the rhythm and repetition in Creation's
composition displayed for all: the animals foraging and hunting; birds
Huddling; and people venturing forth in snowshoes, hiking boots or skis.
Greenery is hidden under blankets of snow, branches bare to the bone, stark
cold clarity. The comfortable clutter which insulates us is swept away and
it is blinding in its starkness. This time of crystal clear, cold emptiness
is a time for God to see us fully, revealed in our starkness, like the walls
of stone under the snow, an opportunity for God to wipe our vision clear, to
give us a glimpse of the things to come.
Silver Lake is quite full on weekends, hosting many retreat groups, flocking
to this 'place apart,' for mid-winter community, renewal, to clear their
busy schedules, rest the weary minds, to enjoy this unplugged space and time
and yes, to try out some superb mattress sledding!
Even as we struggle in our busy lives, to "get it all done in time," new
life is awakening. Not yet visible. Not a thing yet even, but a feeling...
Not even a feeling, really. The hope for a feeling...
But there, tangible and felt, none the less. Present in people who say,
"Yes, I'll dean this summer!" Present in the meetings of the loving
stewards, still willing to keep at it, still encouraging one another to hope
and to pray. Present in the anticipation of young people waiting and
receiving that summer conference brochure in the mail. Waiting to hear if
they'll be on staff, if they'll be a counselor. Present in the leaders
putting on event after event after event to raise money, awareness, and
resources for Silver Lake -- a place they have seen miracles happen and
believe that they can help miracles happen again, as they can and will by
the grace of God.
We are blessed even in the midst of the crystal clear, cold, harsh,
bleakness of the ice and snow.
God, may each one who reads this know your love and acceptance this moment
and each moment. As we blink our eyes to see through the blinding light,
help us to see those around us and to take hands as we walk together into
life you have in store for us, poised ready to spring up with each
hesitant step we take. Amen.
Please remember our Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, as she continues treatment for breast cancer. You can follow her progress and leave messages for her at this site:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidacrabtree
Please also remember:
Peg Zappulla, wife of the Rev. Jon T. Zappulla, interim pastor of Bunker Hill Congregational Church, UCC, of Waterbury, who is seriously ill with cancer and receiving care at a rehabilitation facility;
Cheryl McNamee, daughter of the Rev. Al Turner, pastor of South Congregational Church UCC in East Hartford, who had breast cancer surgery on Jan. 21st;
the loved ones of MaryAnn Halibozek, church secretary at Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, who died after a short struggle with a malignant brain tumor;
Alden Tyrol, retired Director of Silver Lake, who is recovering from pneumonia at home;
members of the Conference staff who are ill or recovering from broken bones;
the Rev. M. J. Hinchliff, pastor of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC of East Haddam, who is being treated for breast cancer;
the leaders of this nation, especially newly inaugurated President Barack Obama that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, confronting the loss of a job, or working to find just resolutions to the crisis; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck, particularly in Gaza, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia, India, Pakistan, and the Sudan.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to your Regional Minister or to webmaster@ctucc.org.
Hartford
Amistad UCC
P The Rev. John L. Selders Jr.
Hartford
Asylum Hill Cong'l Ch
P The Rev. Gary L. Miller
PE The Rev. James L. Kidd
AP The Rev. Erica Ann Thompson
AP The Rev. Peter B. Grandy
AP The Rev. Sara Holly Capen Salomons
CE Ms. Kathleen Graham
Hartford
Broadview Community Church
P The Rev. Karen Jodice
CE Ms. Carol Staron
MM Pat Hopkins
Hartford
Liberty Christian Center International
P The Rev. Keith A. Bolton
Hartford
Faith Cong'l Ch
AP The Rev. Michael C. Williams
The Spirit Calendar: January 26, 2009 by Anne Hughes, Co-Director of Silver Lake Conference Center
