&&&
Winter 2020/2021
“Blue Christmas” (and Other Blue Holidays) Issue
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” ~Maya Angelou
The most recent string of nine days of our “Beaded Street Novena for Racial Justice” concluded yesterday, December 20th, the day before the winter solstice. For the next seven days, we will reflect on what happened, before beginning our next nine days of prayer, from December 28th through January 5th (the day Georgia will be holding two runoff elections for U.S. Senate, and one day before the Feast of Epiphany and when Congress will formalize the Presidential nomination), and so on, through March (and beyond).
Our suggested intentions for the “Winter Novena” are:
& Equity in Education (January)
& Safe Working Conditions and Equal Employment Opportunities (February)
BLUE CHRISTMAS (& Other Blue Holidays)
From &&&’s “Orange is the New Blues: Healing Practices”
“I will give you the treasures of darkness
and riches hidden in secret places, ….” ~ Is. 45:3
Solstice, from sol sun + sistere to stand still: as the earth spins us into the longest night, may we pause, having with us:
& A Chair
& Four Candles
& A Tangerine or Orange
In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is at its lowest point.
We bring to mind some of our low points this year, as well as the low points of others, human and other-than-human.
As we light our first candle, we share aloud our concerns for ourselves and for others.
Long night.
Dark winter.
How are our material and spiritual reserves?
Have we sufficient warmth and nourishment to get us through the long night, the dark winter?
What needs are met? What needs are unmet? Whose needs are met more than others? What will we do to make iniquities as right as possible?
As we light our second candle, we share aloud one concrete action we will take toward getting everyone’s basic needs met.
Could we gather safely in person,
we would grieve together our loved ones, lost.
Whom or what are we grieving tonight?
As we gaze upon the empty chair before us, we bring to mind and heart those who have died - family, friends, and other loved ones missing at the table - and we give thanks for having had them in our lives. We especially remember people of color, who continue to die disproportionately of illness- and violence-related deaths.
As we light our third candle, we say their names.
Tonight will be a first quarter moon. Perhaps we will go to a window to contemplate the night sky. How are we being birthed and re-birthed in the womb of the cosmos? How are we participating in the ever-evolving journey of the universe, a story that ends not in death but in New Life?
We reflect on our losses, our own and others, including lost jobs, lost trust, lost faith. We consider ways that we can work toward equity in education, in safe working conditions, and in equal employment and other opportunities, particularly for people of color.
As we light our fourth candle, we commit ourselves to a more just world.
‘Tis the Citrus Season!
Not only are tangerines and oranges rich sources of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, their bright aroma also has aromatherapeutic benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety and uplifting spirits.
… As we mindfully partake in the miracle of this fruit, we savor every moment, seeing, touching, smelling, and tasting the tree, the flower, the rain, the fog, the sunshine, and the juice of the whole cosmos, as it nourishes us in body, mind, and spirit.
May such a simple yet abundant experience be available to everyone.
Woman Clothed with the Sun,
even as you dip below the horizon tonight,
may you continue to light our way
to a more just, equitable, and compassionate world.
And, we sing:
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® sings Nina Simone's "Come Ye", recorded in isolation as part of "THIS MOMENT", a virtual rally and artistic uprising for an inclusive America. Featuring Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Rochelle Rice, Romeir Mendez, and Barbara Hunt. Edited and produced by Kyle Homstead, Laudable Productions.