All posts by twinkle

Vapor – teacher of magic, meaning and life

Blog, Twinkle's Musings

Vapor is a liturgy by The Liturgists based on the teachings of Kohelet (The Teacher) in Ecclesiastes about the vapor of all things.

Vapor Lyrics:

Oh the vapor of it all
It’s a chasing of the wind
The powers of the earth so pale and thin
We will set our hearts on you again

Heaven taunts the hearts of men 
We can feel it from within 
The beauty of it all
The mystery
The swelling of a voice 
A rising sea

Holy 
You oh God are Holy
Trees clap their hands for you
Oceans they dance for you
You are holy 

Oh the mystery of it all
I can never peer within 
I’ll never find the words or understand 
The fullness of a God
Become a man

Holy 
You oh God are Holy
Trees clap their hands for you
Oceans they dance for you

You are holy 
Infinite and holy
A billion suns rise for you
Clouds paint the skies for you
Mountains stand tall for you
Valleys bow down to you
Everything rising to 
Sing all our songs for you

Holy 
The impossible and holy
Kings become fools for you
Kingdoms to ruins for you
Vapor finds ground in you
Music finds sound for you
Everything rising 
Everything rising 

Come like dawn 
Like waves
Like sunlight 
Bring this world to life 

Come like rain 
Like breath 
Like springtime
Bring this world to life

Inspired? Support this work by donating here.

http://www.theliturgists.com/donations/

she stood there no more

Blog, Twinkle's Musings

“She Stood There”

In the midst of the shadows

In a darkness that haunted

She stood there still, silent, sorry, sad.

sacred symbol women green

Plenty of time to think of days gone by

Loves lost, loves gained; her sorrow remembered

She stood there still, silent, sorry.

sacred symbol women green

The seconds ticked to minutes

The minutes onto hours

She stood there still, silent.

sacred symbol women green

She realized she could not have it all

So she settled for less; but yet only the best

She stood there still.

sacred symbol women green

With her eyes wide open, her head held high

With a decision in mind

She stood there no more.

sacred symbol women green

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/

She Stood There

This. This. This!

Blog, Promotions for Friends and Colleagues, Twinkle's Musings, , , , ,

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.

 

Pittsfield’s 45th Egg Festival 2017

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July 10th – July 15th, 2017 Pittsfield Maine

The Central Maine Egg Festival has traditionally been a celebration of the brown egg industry and is held annually in July at Manson Park. Activities are held in and around the downtown area for the five days preceding the festival, with a parade and the Kiwanis Karnival held on Saturday. Local civic groups collaborate by participating to host events or as vendors in Manson Park. The Kiwanis Karnival is a highlight of the event.  The week’s fun  also includes an Early Bird Breakfast, cheesecake and quiche contest (judged by Pittsfield’s Town Councilors), a lively street dance, music in Hawthorne and Manson Park, craft fair, fireworks and parades.  Be sure to look for the rainbow flag as Pittsfield’s own Rev. Scott Jones walks each year in solidarity in support of the LGB community.

This may be the last official Egg Festival for Pittsfield as many residents are requesting the creation of a new theme for the entire July event.  So be sure to visit Pittsfield this week to join in the festivities. And if you have any ideas about a fun theme that will appeal to the community and engage economic development, please contact one of Pittsfield’s Town Councilors. At THIS LINK

In the meantime, for more information about the Egg Festival:

http://centralmaineeggfestival.org/events.php

http://centralmaineeggfestival.org/history.php

https://www.facebook.com/EggFestival/

Let the Light Enter

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        The Dying Words of Goethe
“Light! more light! the shadows deepen,
        And my life is ebbing low,
Throw the windows widely open:
        Light! more light! before I go.
“Softly let the balmy sunshine
        Play around my dying bed,
E’er the dimly lighted valley
        I with lonely feet must tread.
“Light! more light! for Death is weaving
        Shadows ‘round my waning sight,
And I fain would gaze upon him
        Through a stream of earthly light.”
Not for greater gifts of genius;
        Not for thoughts more grandly bright,
All the dying poet whispers
        Is a prayer for light, more light.
Heeds he not the gathered laurels,
        Fading slowly from his sight;
All the poet’s aspirations
        Centre in that prayer for light.
Gracious Saviour, when life’s day-dreams
        Melt and vanish from the sight,
May our dim and longing vision
        Then be blessed with light, more light.
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) was active in both African Methodist Episcopalian and Unitarian Universalist churches.  She was a prolific writer and poet, as well as a leader in the abolitionist movement. She helped slaves escape through the Underground Railroad and wrote frequently for anti-slavery newspapers, earning her a reputation as the mother of African American journalism.
As we enter into reflection about our Nation’s independence, may we ever be mindful of the blessings and responsibilities of freedom. May we seek to embrace the light, and be blessed by the light.
Happy Independence Day,
~ “Twinkle” Marie Manning
 

 

How We Gather + On Being + Sue Phillips!

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So excited for Sue Phillips! She is joining the How We Gather team which addresses social isolation and spiritual poverty among millennials. And On Being joins the effort as core partners.  On Being is a social enterprise with an award winning radio show at its heart that opens up the animating questions at the center of human life: What does it mean to be human, and how do we want to live?

http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=9ab8e3135a56f9b5acb9c04dd&id=d8d73be44c

https://onbeing.org/

 

Churched?

Blog, Twinkle's Musings, , , ,
Above pictured UU Church in Sangerville, Maine – JOIN US!

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!