This Hallowed Ground 
A Prayer of Blessing
A prayer offered as my family recently gathered to inter our father's ashes after COVID's 2-1/2 year interruption following his death. Shared for all who gather in holy remembrance and thanksgiving of loves lost and griefs made long.
Loving God,
  From this hallowed ground
  You scoop us up into life
  And breathe Your Spirit
  Into every living being
  Bearing an imprint Holy
  And beautiful and good.
 
So too, this ground receives
  The residue of lives lived
  Now joined with You as spirit
  Too large for body’s hold
  Held in eternity’s embrace 
  Given space for love’s growth
  In mysteries deeper 
  Than earth can contain.
 
Still, an echo rises,
  Of voices close to heart
  Imprinting in our memories,
  A savoring of lessons 
  And laughter and longing
  All fruit from the tree
  That has born us into life.

So we pause and pray, O Love,
  Trusting that in love and by love
  We are joined together 
  In Your mysterious song
  Sung by ancestors long ago
  And taught by parents
  And grandparents we knew,
  Whose voices now speak
  Through we who gather
  In fond remembrance
  Of Your story formed
  And forming still 
  For generations
  Yet to come.

So hold us, O Love
  Even as You stretch us
  With the gift of this pause
  Giving space for praise
  And thanksgiving to rise
  For lives well-lived 
  And for the cherished inheritance
  That is now ours to share.
 
For by Your grace, 
  We are blessed indeed
  For deeds of blessing
  That Your prayer 
  For love to rise in the world
  May rise anew in us.
 
We pray this
  Trusting your loving promise
  Made known in the Risen One.
 
Amen.

-DMLH, August 2022
Global Ministries Mission Dash 5K: Climate Justice
Join Global Ministries for a 5K for climate justice! 
The theme for the Mission Dash 5K is climate justice. Creation care efforts by international partners evolve with each natural disaster and shift in weather patterns. Partners cope with the negative impacts of climate change by protecting and nurturing the natural world, preserving resources, and seeking to ensure food security.

You are encouraged to walk, roll, run, jog, or spiritually sprint wherever you are! You may choose to do the 5K with neighbors, friends, family, church, or on your own. The cost is $25 per person, and each registrant will receive a collapsible water bottle and magnet.

Throughout the 5K month of August, there will be opportunities to participate in advocacy actions in solidarity with international partners. Part of the registration fee will also support the work of international partners in their climate justice efforts and additional fundraising opportunities are available.
Planned in the spring and fall each year by women of the 
Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ, 
Lantern Fellowship is a time when women of all generations 
come together at Templed Hills to enjoy faith, fun, and friends. 
The Heartland Conference S.A.R.A. partnership will continue to serve as a conduit for aid to partners in Ukraine who are suffering as a result of the war. Daily, our partners are bringing food and water relief to displaced Ukrainians in Transcarpathia. Please know that your gifts of any size make a difference in this critical time.
The work continues! We deeply appreciate your generous donations and will continue to accept funds to help support the folks in Ukraine. 

To date we have received $97,725.29! 


Sometimes it feels like we don’t say “thank you” enough simply because we don’t reply quickly. So many of our friends around the world, churches and service organizations, are generous in their contributions to SARA’s Emergency Fund for Ukraine.

We are grateful for your support of time, money and plain hard work. Sixteen boxes have been sent to Ukraine via Hungary. It was no easy task, at least 20 people sorted, packed and helped the packages on their way.

Your support allows us to focus on our work in Hungary and Transcarpathia, Ukraine. We have been able to supply food and safety items, medical supplies and equipment. We also provide money for the refugees and their families who are beginning the process to relocate.