Thematic Resources: Questions

The theme for the month of February 2025 is Inclusion.  Spend some time reflecting on your answers to these questions.  As always, let me know what you think. 

1. When were you first included by someone who widened a circle to let you in? If you could talk to them today, what would they say to them?
2. What aspect of your personality and/or who you are do you need to do a better job of embracing and welcoming in?
3. Do you belong to a community or relationship that demands a version of you that no longer is true? Or requires you to remove parts of yourself to be included?  
4. Have you ever invited and included something or someone in your life that unexpectedly and wonderfully altered the trajectory of it?

Here are some additional resources for your home chalice: 

Lighting: We light this chalice as an invitation to  “Step into the center and  come in from the margins.” Its light reminds us we are one.  (Adapted from Rev. Marta Valentin )

Extinguishing: We extinguish the chalice, but not our offer of welcome.  We carry this invitation with us always, doing the best we can to offer it to ourselves and others. 

MONTHLY MEDITATION  

Say “Welcome” to your joy, your hope, your pride. Say “Welcome” to your grief, your fear, your anger. And the parts of you that are not yet ready to be seen and heard—
Welcome to them as well… (adapted from Rev. Monica Jacobson-Tennessen )

OPENING WORDS

You hardly knew / how hungry you were / to be gathered in, /to receive the welcome / that invited you to enter /entirely… / You began to breathe again… /You learned to sing. /But the deal with this blessing / is that it will not leave you alone, / will not let you linger… /this blessing will ask you to leave, not because it has tired of you / but because it desires for you / to become the sanctuary /that you have found...         - Jan Richardson