We gather now in Optimism’s glow, universal grace, God within, between and indeed beyond each of us - all around us in this place of comfort, inspiration, challenge and growth. Our experiences with the pain, sadness and unfairness of life mingle with our delight in conveniences, wealth and freedom - and now we sit side by side, stranger and friend to think again...to find new questions, learning and change our dancing partners once again. We are grateful for Summer sun, for abundant growth; for early garden goods to eat and enjoy – and even for lawns to move and weeds to pull. All these invite a different pace and awareness...to listen, to appreciate, to wonder – to work in balance....to be at peace with ourselves and others in the harried world we create. We are grateful for opportunities to affirm common ground with and between each other and the ability to carve out our lives with thoughtfulness, active response and intention.

As Summer days unfold, we continue emerging into persons and community dedicated to enhancing this world. To assist others in making adaptations and dealing with life’s difficulties; to say words that heal and encourage; to initiate gestures that warm, transform and welcome. Today, let us acknowledge God within as self worth and a fundamental affirmation of our importance to others and to life. Through it all, might we recognize God between us in intimate exchange, in love received and given, in the daily, the humdrum, in parenting and playing –filling the hours with awareness, vision and passion. May we affirm and celebrate God beyond – beyond our understanding, in mystery and marvel - in nature, in what is known and unknown.

As we pray, listen and meditate, we open ourselves to be different, to be more in tune, involved with each other and the world – to integrate all that is emerging – and all that has been. We sense our greater connection to the sacred within all, and yet are seduced within old models that would place us at the egotistical center - with the world revolving around us.

We think we know it all. We make assumptions and close off so much that is possible. May we inquire. May we learn more of what we need. May we respect others enough to learn, to be open, to gain new information before rushing into misunderstanding, assessment or judgment. May we move beyond gossip, half truths and the arrogance of knowing more than we know. We are humbled by the multitude of perspectives and information not yet known - about ourselves, others, this amazing world we share.

We commit to learning, changing, thinking again...doing our theology and daring again to imagine how faith, common sense and tradition lead us inevitably to each other and all things beautiful and united. We remember people of all stripes, all histories, all conditions this morning –those here and those elsewhere. We commit to new depths of what it means to be human, to be neighbor, to love, to include, to laugh, to be free. We gather in the presence of the Holy, within, between and beyond....remembering Jesus, prophets, sages and leaders of all ages and traditions who lived and live the way of peace and inclusion. Amen.

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