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Journeying e-news
The Thanksgiving Edition
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November 2011
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Greetings!
 Gratitude takes Time
Most nights we pause before eating dinner to name our gratitude. Last night was going to be a challenge for Soren, I could tell. He was in a surly mood already, and the broccoli in front of him didn't help things any.
We worked our way around the table, coming to him last:
"Anything you are grateful for today?" I asked. Silence. "Anything good happen at school?" Silence. "How about your play date with Adam?" More silence. By then I was getting angry because my food was getting cold. I was steamed, but my broccoli had cooled off.
There is an adult version of this gratitude deficit disorder. To be a good model, I always say something in this pre-dinner ritual. But on some evenings I rattle off something without thought or feeling so we can get to the food while it is warm. If I say I am grateful for the nice day when I'm really not, is that gratitude? I might as well be silent.
On the other hand, sometimes it just takes a little time. If I am willing to spend another minute or two reflecting on the day, I can usually find some good thing I had already forgotten.
All of this has me thinking that "saying grace" might work better in our family if we gave thanks over dinner, rather than rushing through it before dinner.
Sometimes it takes a few moments to count your blessings.
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A Wisdom Story from the Field
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Twelve women from the United Church of Christ Santa Barbara, CA, gathered together at St. Mary's Retreat House, November 4-6, 2011. After a year of planning, the women left behind the cares of the busy world and "treated" themselves to a time of quiet and reflection in a safe sacred space. They connected their stores with God's story and discerned ways to respond to life's complexities using a lens of wisdom and faith.
Here are some pictures from a recent Women's Retreat in California:
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Retreat leaders, Myrna Tuttle & Betsy Perry, holding the "Tie Quilt" representing Women's Wisdom Stories.
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12 UCC women surround by God's beauty in the Santa Ynez mountains of Santa Barbara, CA.
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A Tribute to Susan Fischer
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We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved friend and Board member, Susan Fischer of New York City. Susan was one of those wonderful board members who was exceptionally fluent whether speaking about the mission of Lumunos or the budgets, spreadsheets, and cash flow reports required to propel the ministry forward. She invested deeply in the relationships and purpose of Lumunos. Susan made us a better organization. The gifts she shared with Lumunos in her 16 years on the board are like "Loaves and Fishes" multiplied and shared with countless others.
You may watch a video (here) of an interview Susan gave for the HealthCare Chaplaincy Oral History Project.
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Wisdom for the Sages
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 | YOUNG@HEART: An Interview
With Bob Cilman |
"The riders in a race do not stop short when they reach the goal. There is a little finishing canter before coming to a standstill. There is time to hear the kind voice of friends and to say to one's self: "The work is done."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
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| UPCOMING MINI RETREATS! | There are two upcoming
Light For Your Journey Mini-Retreats: December 3rd: Montview Blvd Presbyterian Church Denver, CO December 10th: St John's Episcopal Church Walpole, NH | |
For more information about holding a mini-retreat at your church, please feel free to contact us!
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Blogs you may
have missed...
Prayer After Liberating a Tree | |
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Enough
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| Music For the Month |
 | Come Ye Thankful
People Come |
 | We Gather Together
Celtic Women |
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Mary Chapin Carpenter - Thanksgiving Song (with Lyrics)
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| Coming Up! |  | |
Besides our great December e-News, you'll be receiving our Weekly Advent Devotionals by Angier Brock.
Through the month, we'll help you pause in your busy moments to reflect on the meanings of Advent through the season.
If you know someone who would like to receive these, please have them sign up so they don't miss any.
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Christmas is coming: We have books For Sale
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Our popular workbook, Looking Back and Giving Forward: Finding Ground for Positive Aging, is also available in a Community Edition to complement the original faith-grounded edition.
This highly-requested edition brings our unique and practical workbook to the wider community of senior centers, retirement communities, and other groups of people and individuals searching for greater understanding of their purpose in everyday life as they age.
Please check out these other offerings: (click on each book for more info & to order)
    
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From all of us at Lumunos!
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we want you to contact us to let us know what we can do for you.
And, this is YOUR E-Newsletter:
So, what do you want to see here? Email Andi and let us know.
We hope you will forward this to a friend.
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