December 2016 meeting for reverence joins us together in recognizing the art of grief #unitarians

With the slow cold of winter starting to set in, and the long darkness growing, death and passing are natural reflections at this time.  For some in our little community these are very real experiences right now, so this month we took readings and shared space around the topic of "Grief - there is no 'ought' to feeling."

The service was opened with a prayer titled ‘Hunted’ by our own Lucy Harris from the book Through the Prism.  It was especially poignant lighting the chalice candle, as an act of drawing close as a community, in a month when distance and commitments are keeping us apart.

Our readings were W H Auden's 'Stop all the Clocks', and Don Jon's speech from Act 1 Scene 3 of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.  Both run the gamut of emotions at a time of loss.  Some gentle and edifying, some wild and raging; but all sincere, all honest, all valid.

 

Between the readings we took a reflection on the ‘Beginning of Winter’ from A Pagan Ritual Prayer Book by Ceisiwr Serith.  It ended with the poignant line 'teach...who has only fought for what I love'.

Our shared reflection was about not always comforting, not always counselling, sometimes just being there and sitting by, while we feel what we need to feel, whatever that is, for now.  It was time well spent and I know I speak for everyone in our little community when I say our thoughts are with those for whom this is a difficult time.