Autumn Prayer

It is our custom at Board meetings for me to offer a reading or poem to start our meeting.  This month on the eve of the last full day of summer and the Autumn Equinox, I found this poem by Edward Hays in the book Earth Prayers.

O sacred season of Autumn, be my teacher,
for I wish to  learn the virtue of contentment.
As I gaze upon your full-colored beauty,
I sense all about you
an at-homeness with your amber riches.

You are the season of retirement,
of full barns and harvested fields.
The cycle of growth has ceased,
and the busy work of giving life
is now completed.
I sense in you no regrets:
you’ve lived a full life.

I live in a society that is ever-restless,
always eager for more mountains to climb,
seeking happiness through more and more possessions.
As a child of my culture,
I am seldom truly at peace with what I have.
Teach me to take stock of what I have given and received,
may I know that it’s enough,
that my striving can cease
in the abundance of Life’s grace.
May I know the contentment
that allows the totality of my energies
to come to full flower.
May I know that like you I am rich beyond measure.

As you, O Autumn, take pleasure in your great bounty,
let me also take delight
in the abundance of the simple things in life
which are the true source of joy.
With the golden glow of peaceful contentment
may I truly appreciate this autumn day.

On a more business-oriented note from the Board, please note that both the monthly Agenda and Minutes of the Board meetings will now be posted on the web for your perusal.  You can find them under ABOUT US, GOVERNANCE, AGENDAS AND MINUTES.

May your Autumn days be filled with color and vitality, gratitude and grace.

Looking forward to seeing you in church and around town,
Rev joan