Message by Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman

In an article entitled “Living in the Real World,” Mark Nepo writes:

This is what the great choice comes down to—the great conflict between first-hand experience and tradition, between spontaneity and decorum, between compassion and obligation. Other life forms have no part in this. It’s strictly a human affair.
The sapling doesn’t look to its elders for approval. It just grows toward the light.
The bee feels its hunger and finds its honey. It doesn’t embark out of any sense of duty.
When I speak of these things, distrustful minds, against all intention of getting involved, blurt out but we have to live in the real world.
After a long silence, I offer, you must meet the outer world with your inner world or existence will crush you.

When Our Heart is in a Holy Place
Congregational Hymn
Words and Music: Joyce Poley
Keyboard Arr. Lorne Kellett
Permission Granted

There is More Love Somewhere
Congregational Hymn
African American Hymn
Public domain

Go Now in Peace
Congregational Hymn
Words and Music: Natalie Sleeth (OneLicense)

Our final reading is The Daring of Our Intentions by Rev. Scott Tayler

May we dare to live from the center of our being.
May we make our own choices before others’ choices make us*
May the fire that burns in our belly light our way.
May our collective intention make the world shine anew.