Empty bowls and thinking of ways to give back!

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on Our Journey!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and wonder-filled Wednesday so that the remaining parts of your week will be smooth and happy. Today I attended the Empty Bowls fundraiser to benefit the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. A very important event that helps feed our homeless and hungry population. Yesterday we talked about avoiding the pre- holiday hype, today we talk about giving back to our communities and not just at church. This is the time of year when everyone needs extra help with the many projects that are in need of extra assistance. Just look around at the many organizations that are in need of your special gifts and talents. If you don't know what those are I  invite you to write a list and ask yourselves "What am I good at?", "What things to I like to do?" ,"What are the community organizations appeal to me? Take time tonight to write you lists and go to your phone book and look up community organizations that appeal to you.  Here is a thumbnail sketch for you to consider;:

I like to                                                   Then I can help out this way.
Read books                              Read to children in schools or at story time
Be out in nature                       See what you can do in the area of conservation
History                                    See if you can work as a docent in museums or historical society
Be with the elderly                  Deliver meals on wheels, drive to doctor's appointments, etc
Be a caregiver                          Do respite care
Be involved with children's issues  Join the various organizations that help children

The above is just a sampler.

This is our meditative task for this evening. We will travel to the center and have our usual conversation with God and see what God wants us to do to help heal God's fragile and broken world and the entire Family of God.


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God of abundance help us to be helpful towards all of our family members.

We pray that we may offer our time and our best selves in your service and in the service of others.

We pray that we may offer help to organizations that go against our grain to help those who differ from us.

We pray that we may learn to give of ourselves freely and gracefully.

We pray that our works may be pleasing to you.

We pray that we may find community within the many aid agencies that need our help.

We pray that we may help comfort our family members who mourn.

We pray that we may be of help to our family members who are ill.

We pray that we may work for justice and peace and speak truth to power.

We pray that we may seek to end hunger, homelessness, bullying, economic injustice, and hatred.

We pray that we may find ways to serve when we don't feel like serving.

We pray for peace in the war torn areas of the world.

We pray for sensible policing and gun laws.

We pray for equality for all and universal human rights.

We pray for our family members who have died.

We pray for our family members who are ill.

We pray for refugees, all victims of violence and oppression, victims of human trafficking.

We offer our own prayers in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

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Good Night Dear Family! I love you! I give thanks to God for you this night and always! Tomorrow is Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! It is?  Yes it  is!   Have a blessed and lovely night.


With love and blessings and joy because of your presence in my life,

Sara

Christ has no Body- Talbot