Dear Montgomery Place residents, families and staff,
Here are two spiritual resources I’ve found reassuring and inspiring this week. The first is from Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. You may remember him as the preacher at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
Please click here and take four minutes to watch and listen to Bishop Curry’s reflection.
And, Phyllis Booth kindly shared this poem by Unitarian minister Lynn Ungar. It’s been going viral (so to speak)!
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath–
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You can hardly deny it now).
Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, this has come clear).
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
Others of you have sent me reflections that help you make sense of things or focus on what matters most. I appreciate that, and look forward to more of this mutual sharing.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves and those around you. Stay strong and well. We’ll be in touch.
In peace,
Laura
The Rev. Laura Gottardi-Littell, M.Div.
Episcopal Priest | Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care
lgottardi-littell@churchhomechicago.org
Learn more at www.churchhomechicago.org
