Today many in the congregation were snowed in. 13 people gathered around the table in the fellowship hall.  We lit the candle which sat in the glass which held a rainbow of colors.  Elizabeth Meade recited Maya Angelou’s poem, Human Family (http://allpoetry.com/poem/8511441-Human-Family-by-Maya-Angelou) about how while our skins are many colors, “we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”  We thanked Jim Derby for keeping our sidewalks and the sidewalks of our neighbors plowed.  Joan Ebbeson played the piano starting with Sweet Hour of Prayer.   Blake read Matthew 5:21-26 and Evelyn and Alethe did a dramatic reading on the same text.  I told the story of Corrie Ten Boom who was imprisoned in a concentration camp during World War II due to her efforts to hide Jews.  Ten Bloom wrote of being unable to forgive the guard at the concentration camp until she asked God for forgiveness for her inability to forgive.  And she discovered that it is God who allows us to forgive.

And then we talked and prayed.  About forgiveness.  About challenges families–especially adopted families face.  We prayed for and with each of you.

The tea kettle boiled and Claire brought cheese and crackers as the conversation continued.

Each of you were missed.  Each of you were with us in spirit.

Blessings to all on this sunny, snowy day.  (and blessings to Ginny on her 95th birthday tomorrow).