Epiphany
6 January 2021
Dear Friends,

Today, on the Feast day of the Epiphany, I walked along the river path, taking a break from the relentless, heart wrenching, (and predictable) drama that unfolds at our nation's capital.

The water is flowing quickly through Mission Farm on this branch of the Ottauquechee River. The moving water is witness to a deep reality that the land holds - a movement of time, of beauty and of abundance. I felt consoled by the steady flow of this river as the sun set. There is chaos in the world - chaos in our politics - chaos in our own lives and in the lives of those we love. There is also beauty - beauty that endures - beauty found in creation that reflects the love from which this cosmos was created. This source of love is found at the center of the headwater and at the top of the mountains - life and energy, joy and reciprocity in the wildness of nature. Love overcomes hate. Robin Wall Kimmerer says, "We spill over into the world and the world spills over into us." (Braiding Sweetgrass, 2013)

On the Feast of the Epiphany, we tell the story of the visit of the magi to see the infant Christ born into a broken and dangerous world. After they gave gifts, the wise ones returned home by another way - the way of Love. I resolve to do this. I chose the way of the river, the way of love. I chose the way of reciprocity and of beauty. I resolve to follow the inspiration of the river to:"do justice, love mercy and walk humbly." (Micah 6.8)

I listened to the work of Nobel Scientist, Frank Wilczek who explores beauty, the deep structure of reality and deep truths in his books Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Realty and A Beautiful Question. He reminds us that time and space, mystery and order, are so much stronger and more generous than we can comprehend. Here is his interview with Krista Tippett.

And of course, this week our Sunday Morning Prayer will be on Zoom at 9:30. Please join us. The link for our Sunday Morning Prayer can be found here. The Morning Prayer order of service can be found here.

Epiphany Blessings,
Lisa+


Zoom Invitation for both Sunday Morning Prayer and Christmas Eve:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88314985530?pwd=M21SclIvWCs2dTZqVXVOemlrZEt5Zz09

Meeting ID: 883 1498 5530
Password: 677252
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,88314985530#,,,,0#,,677252# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,88314985530#,,,,0#,,677252# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 883 1498 5530
Password: 677252
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kedkE6MRQC