Inspired by song lyrics, informed by spirit!
New Year’s Blessing:
“May you hold sacred the lessons of 2025.
Treasure it’s joys,
and to the extent possible release its sorrows.
And, allow yourself room to Relax as you greet the new year.
May you cherish every moment you are gifted with.
Soul-deep that you are a blessing to this world!”
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
~ Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning
Click the link to view entire service with Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning and Margaret Stewart.
2024 Winter Solstice
Saturday, December 21st, 2024 (NAUA Zoom)
1:00 PM Eastern
Worship Leaders:
Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning & Margaret Stewart
Thought for contemplation:
“So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able.”
~ Dar Williams
The archive of the FULL SERVICE will be available HERE on December 22nd, 2024.
“It is possible, practical and incumbent to hold these two truths:
~ Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning
– The holidays are wonderful, merry and bright.
– The holidays are hard, dark and dreary.
For some, it’s one or the other.
For most, it’s both.”
“For those who are hurting, lonely or sad this time of year, and for those who wish to support those who are, this service is for you. A time and place to hold grief sacred during the holiday season. Whether it is your Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or Solstice and Yule, the holiday season, while filled with light, can create palpable darkness. Together may we offer comfort and solace.”
Order of Worship for the Service:
This service was recorded at the Universalist Church in Waterville, Maine on December 18th – where Twinkle is the contract minister serving the congregation in worship leadership twice a month until June 2023. Interfaith services such as this are Twinkle’s trademark in a landscape of religious and spiritual diversity. Check Twinkle’s Place Upcoming Events and Gatherings page for information about 2023 Services, Retreats, Workshops and more.
For many years Twinkle has hosted Blue Christmas gatherings during the holiday season. In 2020 she published a Blue Christmas Reflection Book.
For additional Reflection and Blessing books, visit: http://matrikapress.com/blessing-books/
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.
Samhain, Samhain, let the ritual begin,
We call upon our sacred ancestors to come in
Samhain, Samhain, we call upon our kin,
We call upon our dear departed loved ones to come in
The Veil between the worlds is thin
Our hearts reach cross the sea of time
To bring our loved ones in
Samhain, Samhain we honor all our kin
We honor those who’ve gone before
As the Great Wheel turns again
By Lisa Thiel
Music by Peter Gundry.
