Category Archives: Blog
she stood there no more
“She Stood There”
In the midst of the shadows
In a darkness that haunted
She stood there still, silent, sorry, sad.
Plenty of time to think of days gone by
Loves lost, loves gained; her sorrow remembered
She stood there still, silent, sorry.
The seconds ticked to minutes
The minutes onto hours
She stood there still, silent.
She realized she could not have it all
So she settled for less; but yet only the best
She stood there still.
With her eyes wide open, her head held high
With a decision in mind
She stood there no more.
By: “Twinkle” Marie Manning
Originally penned in 1989 on Prince Edward Island, Canada
First Published in 2009 in Poetry to Feed the Spirit, Poets of Central Florida Anthology
https://mariemanning.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/she-stood-there/
This. This. This!
Regardless of how we personally interpret or experience the Holy. Regardless of which individual causes we are most inspired to dedicate time to. Regardless of where we place our priorities on our day-to-day lives. When any among our human family are adrift in turbulent waters of life, spiritually or physically, we are each Called to form such a chain as this. Because we are each other’s saviors. That is why we are here together on this planet.
sending love to Santa Barbara
Sending love to our family of friends in Santa Barbara. Be safe.
http://www.independent.com/news/2017/jul/08/highway-154-area-evacuating/
courage to give and receive love
Churched?
More than a social club, Church can be one of our spiritual homes. Intentionally it can be where we find the most sacred place of belonging, where our inner light recognizes and is recognized by those in our presence. It is where our whole-broken selves, our gifts and our flaws, are accepted and rejoiced in. It can be where our Beloved Community resides and grow from. Where, with our chosen actions and activities, we can bless and be blessings to each other, and to our larger community. Not just the principle or ideal of “belonging” but the active creation and cultivation of an environment that allows genuine belonging to occur. The place where we bear witness to each other, are held tenderly in difficult times and are accompanied during celebratory occasions. It is where we not merely know of each other, but, rather, have the opportunity and responsibility to really know each other.
This applies wherever you gather in spiritual community, by whichever name you call it.
Join us! in Sangerville and at TwinklesPlace for services!
this is what a Minister looks like
As ordained interfaith clergy, I am honored to claim my place among female ministers in solidarity with Baptist Women in Ministry where each week they introduce and feature a female minister.
On Facebook over the past week I have felt my heart leap with joy as my clergy colleagues of many denominations and Faiths have joined in this movement.
Remarkable women. Amazing ministers. Beloved friends.
Sisters in Service to that which we each call Holy.
May our ministries reveal the true nature of our hearts.
May we support and mentor each other.
May we be of good service to those seeking.
May we say “yes” every day to our callings.
May we usher in ways of being that honor our souls.
Sending love,
~ Twinkle
Best Wishes to Sue Phillips!!!
We received an email from our New England Regional Lead, Sue Phillips, with the message that she is moving on from the UUA to become a Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School.
Sue was the key person behind many of our denominations most creative innovations, including spearheading the FAITHIFY crowd funding platform that was launched at General Assembly 2014 and to date has more than $1 million pledged to over 200 campaigns. The UU Talks entrepreneurial project “Twinkle” Marie Manning is the founder of was one of those successful FAITHIFY campaigns and will ever be grateful to Sue for making that possible.
What a wonderful exemplar of innovative leadership Sue Phillips has been for us. May we follow her example of following our passionate callings. And may we heed her advice to be committed to each other and to our Faith. 
❤️
🙏🏼
To view her letter, click the link below:
Music for the Soul – Downtown by Rising Appalachia!
A birthday delight!!
Voting Day Pittsfield June 13th, 2017
Today is a voting day in Pittsfield, and while it may not have all the allure and intensity of November’s election, I feel it is important to vote.
I vote because I appreciate the teachers and staff who care for our children in our local schools and cast a vote to support their salaries and programs. I vote because I appreciate that we have a publicly funded education system available to our children and my ballot adds to the voices of all those who value it. I vote because I would have been vocal in the suffragist movement, so in solidarity and gratitude, I vote today.
#suffragist