We hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas! Our Burning Bowl Service is this Sunday at 11:00. We continue in the Holiday Season, with today (December 26) being the first day of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa, as many of you know, began in the United States in 1966 through activist and humanist Dr. Maulana Karenga; it was created for the African American community as a response to the commercialism of Christmas, but it was also created as a means of uniting and empowering this minority community during the Civil Rights Movement as it overcame (and in many ways, is still overcoming) great adversity. Kwanzaa, which derives from a Swahili phrase meaning "the first fruits of the harvest," celebrates seven Principles, called the Nguzo Saba. The Seven Principles are: Umoja (Unity)Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)Ujamaa (Cooperative economics)Nia (Purpose)Kuumba (Creativity)Imani (Faith) I invite you to hold these Principles, and the spirit of Kwanzaa, in your minds and hearts in preparation for this Sunday's Burning Bowl Service. What is it that you would like to release, to leave behind? What attitudes, belief systems, behaviors are supporting your Highest Good, and which are not? This Sunday will be your opportunity to eliminate those ideas and precepts that no longer serve you. When we do this, we make room for limitless good in our lives. Following the Burning Bowl ceremony, we will continue our tradition of "Letters To God," wherein we visualize our lives six months to a year from now, and write a letter, expressing gratitude for all that we will have accomplished by that time - as if it has already happened. It is a powerful experience, and it is a means by which the Creative Process of Divine Mind will find expression through you! Finally, I will share a message, in alignment with our 2020 Ministry Theme, entitled "Perfect Vision: Seeing Through A Spiritual Lens," in which I discuss some of the plans for our ministry in this New Year. Starting a new decade off with a clean slate, we will be prepared, open, and receptive to next Sunday's (January 5, 2020) White Stone Service, with Rev. Jan Seward. This will be an amazing service, supported by music from Laura Adair and Jim Maneri! I look forward to supporting you in your spiritual growth this Sunday, and beyond. Happy Holidays, dear friends! Yours In Unity, Daryn L. Wells
