Hello, Starr King family. Did you find a state of mind that kept “thanks” firmly embedded in Thanksgiving? It’s perhaps my favorite holiday and its glow of well-being generally lingers; rat-a-tat-tatting out a list of my gratitudes is always good practice. One of my foremost gratitudes is belonging to this spiritual community. You give me … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – December 2012
November greetings! It’s going to be a full month! Keep your eyes out for news of the Welcoming Congregation Refresher Program, which will examine how we are doing with “inclusive language.” And November kicks off with Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, giving us the opportunity to remember and appreciate those who … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – November 2012
October greetings! I love the autumn months, and by October the season has generally begun in earnest, with the appearances of winter squash and pomegranates, perhaps even a few early persimmons. A season of savor and depth. In autumn we tend to move indoors, gather together and take stock of our lives and relationships. The … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – October 2012
Greetings! Many of you will have had the opportunity by now to greet and welcome two special people to our congregational life: Ministerial Intern Roy King and Director of Religious Exploration Darcy Baxter. They both took up the reins of their new roles in mid-August. They come with splendid talents and we are delighted that … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – September 2012
Greetings to you. Gee, it’s amazing that August has already rolled around; how quickly time passes! I hope that your August includes some end-of-summer treats like another picnic or barbeque, a bit of vacation, extra time with children and pets or perhaps some peace and quiet to contemplate the beauty around you or dig into … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – August 2012
July greetings! We are entering the famous “Dog Days” of summer, often a very warm period variously counted from early July to late August or even September. I always associated “Dog Days” with a blood hound snoozing on a shaded porch: an example worth emulating! In fact, the term “Dog Days” honors Sirius, the celestial … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – July 2012
June greetings! It is the Northern Solstice on June 20th, and we enjoy noting it as the longest day of the year. Whose heart hasn’t cheered at the thought of darkness at bay, then saddened a bit to know the days already grow shorter? The psychosocial difference between darkness and light is perhaps less for … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – June 2012
When that April with his showers sweet The drought of March hath pierced to the root And bathed every vine in such liquor Of which virtue engendered is the flower…. Opening lines of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Greetings. As has become my wont in composing these notes to you, I’ve spent a Sunday … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – April Column
“I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” Wm. Wordsworth Greetings, and welcome to March. It’s time to welcome the coming of spring in … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – March Column
February greetings! I always enjoy February, a rather whimsical month of Aquarians and Pisceans that is leaping this year to a 29th day. February celebrates the mysterious prognostication of the Groundhog, the sturdy virtues of Presidents Lincoln and Washington, the romantic (if historically unattested) honoring of St. Valentine. February is named for the Latin term … Continue reading Andy’s Flaming Chalice – February Column
