Read and listen to Twinkle’s June’s Calling poem on Substack!
June’s Calling remembered
Category Archives: Twinkle’s Musings
Thought for Contemplation
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day
is the rest we take between two deep breaths,
or the turning inwards in prayer for five short minutes.”
-Etty Hillesum
This week’s Thought for Contemplation centers us on the power of the pause between one breath and the next. So often life’s circumstances are out of one’s control. Personal circumstances, as well as the larger landscape of the world around us, can easily sweep us up into what can feel like an undertow. Yet, when we take even a moment to focus on the rest between two deep breaths, we actively engage our nervous system toward calmer, more centered feelings. Let us keep this in mind in the days and week ahead.
#LivingLifeAsAPrayer
#PulpitOfPeace
#PiecesOfPeaceOnEarth
“Hold On” 35th Anniversary Gatsby-style!!
For 35 years “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips has been an inspiration in joyous times and a great comfort in challenging times. During a Gatsby-themed party earlier this month, Twinkle recorded this video with her friends Kristin & Lillian! We encourage you to always find ways to celebrate the good in this world and move your body in joy!
“Hold On” 35th Anniversary Gatsby-style!!
Thought for Contemplation
“The Universes doesn’t care what we do, it cares who we help.”” – Caroline Myss
We will see how our Thought for Contemplation ties in with this week’s service
Theme: “Heaven on Earth”
The world stage, and in our country at large, we bear witness daily to the strife and chaos that exist because those in positions of power seek to create divisions and hardships. It can be easy to get caught up in it and allow anxiety and even anger to reign in our hearts and minds.Yet, that gives even more power to oppressors. Now, as ever, it is vital to remember that
we are fortunate to have authority to direct our thoughts and our actions towards the kinds of outcomes we desire. More importantly, we must remember that we are not alone. That we, together, have the ability to create Heaven on Earth.
Join us Sunday, February 16th at 10:00 AM
UPDATE: Due to weather warnings our service will be online this week. JOIN US via ZOOM:
May we love our neighbors as we would want them to love us.
Conceivably, the most important decision we make in the days ahead is Not which boxes we check behind the curtain tomorrow, but, rather, how we react afterwards when the results are announced.
Now is the time to Decide who we will be in the aftermath of the election!
Today, please decide how you will react if your candidate wins;
decide how you will react if your candidate loses.
Envision the best version of yourself, and be that.
I believe the best version of you is gracious in victory;
the best version of you is calm in defeat.
The best version of you, in any circumstance, is respectful, kind, peaceable and compassionate.
Before gloating, mocking, and ridicule usher forth from those who are victors, and before disbelief, contempt, anger and rage set in from the defeated, Choose Now to have rational thinking, courage and benevolence guide your actions….and your words.
Our children and grandchildren are watching – yours and mine.
We owe it to them to lead by example and to win, or lose, with grace.
We instruct our children to be good sports.
We teach them to set aside their pride and shake hands with the opposing team and say “good game” after the final score.
This preserves the integrity of the game and demonstrates there is unity in the love of the sport.
We have the opportunity every election cycle to demonstrate there is unity in the love for peace. To demonstrate that we love our neighbors, even if – and especially when – we do not agree. We need not vote alike to love alike.
Tomorrow and the day after, and the days after that, may peace prevail.
May we love our neighbors as we would want them to love us.
May we speak only in ways we would want to be spoken to.
Please be your best self.
I will do my best to do the same.
Love,
Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning
#LivingLifeAsAPrayer
#TwinklesPlace
#Election
#ElectionEvePrayer
Happy International Women’s Day 2024
A gratitude reel from Twinkle for all the amazing women she’s worked with over the years!
19 years ago
Four Years
It has been four years since my sister took this picture. Four years since we were called to the hospital. Four years since we prayed in desperation to Gods that not all of us believe in. Four years since we asked everyone we knew to pray with us. And, by “pray”- I mean beg, bargain and plead to any and all unseen forces that may take pity upon us and change this tragic course that was unfolding swiftly in dazed slow motion. Four years since we waited vigil by his bedside for four days for good news that would never come. Four years since we had to say goodbye to this earth angel. Four years since all our lives were devastated by the loss of Riley. Four years and the anguish still accompanies this week like an unrelenting shadow even in the noontime sun. Four years.
#WhenYourSonDies
#CherishYourLovedOnes
#EveryMomentCounts
#LifeIsPrecious
#YouHavingLivedChangedEverything
#YouHavingDiedChangedEverything
#FSeptember
#Grief
#GriefSpeaksOut
#LivingLifeAsAPrayer
Riley Dai June 9th, 1997-September 20th, 2019
August notes
August has continued to see lots and lots (loads and loads) of rain! Tuesday evening vespers services (Contemplative Services) have grown a bit of a following and it is a delight to watch this small ministry grow. Soon Twinkle will be returning to her regular contract with the Waterville Universalist church where she leads services twice per month September thru June. She is also going to be launching a new Empowering Women Maine Salon Style Gatherings. (more on that in future posts).
Twinkle took this photo one evening. She says, “While on Kineo this beach has the best vantage point for the most gorgeous sunsets!” She and her friends have spent quite a bit of time on-Island as they prepare for the next phases of Melusine’s Haven. Stay tuned for more exciting news to come for Melusine’s Haven as well for new Twinkle’s Place new location plans.
July notes
So far at the lake it has been rainy much of July. Even so, have managed some time on the boat and over to Kineo. Twinkle is delighted to support a Melusine’s Haven being established there and hope to soon have clearing begun and the driveway put in. This picture is the back of Kineo Mountain as viewed from Pebble Beach, just down the road from Melusine’s Haven.
Twinkle’s services at the Historic Log Chapel have been well received. She has one more Sunday service this month and will continue to offer her Tuesday evening Contemplative Services throughout the summer.
#LivingLifeAsAPrayer