This year we did not create our ofrendas and other altars for the dead. Instead during this season that houses two important family traditions, Samhain and Día de los Muertos, we kept our altar space intact as it is everyday with family portraits and pictures of our lost family members posed in celebration with us while they were still alive. We did not single any nor all out for altars dedicated to our deceased loved ones. Not this year. We wanted to keep everyone together, if only in pictures and our memories. Our recent loss is too deep to do otherwise, and impossible to articulate beyond that. There was trick-or-treating on Halloween, and the children did beautiful Day of the Dead arts and crafts. (the skulls below done by Orion and friend). We told stories. We danced. And we rested.
Category Archives: Twinkle’s Musings
Ritual and Prayer on Samhain 2019
May we find comfort in the warm embrace of The Dark Season
the triage of grief
They sat with me for hours in this spot. Sometimes talking. Much of the time just being still, gazing at Autumn’s tranquil beauty and listening to the sounds of the Lake.
For some this may look like healing.
I know with experienced certainty it is not.
Not yet.
This, this is the perpetual triage of raw grief.
Keep the body still.
Regulate the breath.
Quiet the mind.
Assess the wound.
Allow tears, laughter or lethargy to come.
Keep in check the anger.
When there is energy, do something useful, purposeful.
Ardently cradle the sorrow when it assails.
Repeat.
We are each processing Riley’s death in ways we can. Thank you to everyone who has brought us meals, and sent us cards, and held me in your arms or with your spirit. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your love. You are a blessing to us, to me. Thank you.
~ Twinkle
Unitarian Universalism – who can claim it and who is claimed by it?
Rev. Kate Braestrup is an ordained UU Minister residing in Maine. She has helped countless people cope with acute trauma and navigate unimaginable grief. Her viral video on The Moth Radio Hour introduced millions to our Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. She has received many accolades and awards for her work in the mental health field. She has been given an award by the UUA recognizing her contribution to religious liberalism. Recently she has shared this blog post.
Two questions that are paramount: Who can claim Unitarian Universalism as their own…and who is claimed (or rejected) by Unitarian Universalism? What are the standards for UUs in general in regards to how we are to treat each other?
Why is this important? Because for years I (Twinkle) have been serving Unitarian congregations and groups. Lately I am beginning to wonder if the current leaders and most vocal in their ranks are aligned with my credo of Living Life as a Prayer, of treating others with compassion, and of leading with Love. If they (UUs) are amassing to expel or disassociate with such amazing ministers as Kate Braestrup, it is not an organization I can support. Time will tell the answers of these questions.
Anam Ċara & the Divine Echo – VIDEO
On Sunday, October 6th Twinkle led services at Starr King UU Fellowship in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The sermon is entitled: “Anam Ċara & the Divine Echo.” The service was crafted with the Soul Matters Sharing Circle Theme of Belonging+Mysticism in mind. Many thanks to musician Sarah Dan Jones and the SKUUF Worship Team. ((For TEXT click HERE))
Anam Cara & the Divine Echo – October 6, 2019 from SKUUF Plymouth NH on Vimeo.
Turn the World Around
This Sunday many will gather for the Water Communion. The UU Singers choir in the congregation I serve this week will be singing “Turn the World Around” by Harry Belafonte/Robert Freedman. I adore this song! The reminder, and the call, of our unity.
When Harry Belafonte performed this on The Muppet Show, he talked about what makes the world go ‘round, that we are here for a very brief time, and that if we take the time to understand each other that there is not really any difference in any of us. And that, if we get to know each other, to really care about each other, we can turn the world around.
May your Water Communions be beautiful calls to compassionately love one another.
“Turn the World Around”
by Harry Belafonte/Robert Freedman
We come from the fire
Livin’ in the fire
Go back to the fire
Turn the world around
We come from the water
Livin’ in the water
Go back to the water
Turn the world around
We come from the mountain
Livin’ on the mountain
Go back to the mountain
Turn the world around
Oh, oh so is life
Oh, oh so is life
Oh, oh so is life
Oh, oh so is life
Do you know who I am
Do I know who you are
See we one another clearly
Do we know who we are
Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life
Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life
Water make the river
River wash the mountain
Fire make the sunlight
Turn the world around
Heart is of the river
Body is the mountain
Spirit is the sunlight
Turn the world around
We are of the spirit
Truly of the spirit
Only can the spirit
Turn the world around
We are of the spirit
Truly of the spirit
Only can the spirit
Turn the world around
Do you know who I am
Do I know who you are
See we one another clearly
Do we know who we are
Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life
Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life
Come share this land
Most of our UU congregations are beginning their new service year in the next couple of weeks. When you reflect on this song, “We’ll Build a Land,” what is it you hope Unitarian Universalism (and your congregation) will help build in the world? I especially like the new verse in this version:
“We’ll build a land where the forests are fertile
Where the water and wind run clean and clear
And community matters more than positions
Come share this land
Let’s build it right here!”
Note: This song is by Carolyn McDade and is included in the primary Unitarian-Universalist hymnal. However, this version sung by Mo Mack in Concert with John and Cynthia Boeling as a benefit for the First Unitarian church of Portland in 2016 drops two original verses and adds a new one.