Guardian of Galaxies, Mother of the cosmos, Father of the stars beyond counting...may we celebrate the connection and union we have with God within as emerging humanity, God between as intimate experiences of love and God beyond in all that is. We receive each other again this morning and celebrate the beauty and delight in this feasting season. May the original blessing of "very good" echo in our beings as we continue the human journey.

May we in our varied paces - some frantic, some depressed - gain new glimpses of what might be. In this season of generosity and committing, may we, who have failed to be living examples of love and justice, be filled with the challenge and possibility of enfleshing kindness, hospitality, welcoming the stranger in all we do and with everyone we meet today.

A "thanks" is upon our lips in this harvest season. May a spirit of gratitude begin to invade all our days instead of one day or week. May the meals we share this day and in these weeks be true adventures of taste. May we delight in every flavor as a special gift of the moment. May we feast our eyes and take in the vast range of the colors, forms and textures we see. May we be gifted with fresh-cleansed eyes, open to the beauty of birth and baptism and bread for a hungry world. [We celebrate Jack this day as well as Dawn and Marti, Patrick and Amanda...and all others who surround and support and raise him up in this world.

In this feasting season, may our ears feast as well. May they be unplugged of habit, the deafness of routine - that the whisper of the wind, the soft sounds of gentleness, the magic of human speech, and the healing laughter of humor enter our minds and hearts.

We draw upon the life-giving energy of the universe as we take care of ourselves and this family of people called Christ Community. May we care about laughing and crying, and learning and talking honestly - at least a little. We commit our caring for those in hospital and those recovering - those who are gaining in strength and with those whose physical strength ebbs away - and all others coping with and adjusting to great strain and stress.

With all the energy in this place, with all the honest inquiry, may there be great care for our neighbors, near and far, and for the things that would make it better and perhaps easier to live together. May we care about the hard decisions and the risks and sacrifices it takes to make this happen. May justice and hospitality emerge, may it surface - even a little or at a distance. May we care about the joy we feel which flickers and flares at times when we touch hands...or eyes...or minds...or sexes...or souls. May we tend to those things that make us restless, make us reach for welcoming words, for dreams, for other people. May this community take on new talents, new commitments, new values, new care, the stranger in our midst; may this community be safe and secure, may it be risky and dangerous as well. We pray in honor of what is possible, what is beautiful, what is essential and honest. Amen.

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