Prayer

Let us open our hearts to prayer.

In prayer we offer pleas from the depth of our hearts.  We reach for the comfort of peace.   Peace that is in the stillness of the soul.  Such peace is hard to find.  We know the peace that is the lull between storms, the anxious peace unsure of what is coming next, the peace that is the relief after worry.  The peace that is no action.

Let us seek the peace that is deeper.  That is the deep stillness of the soul.   The peace beyond all worries, the peace of gentle breath and no thoughts, a peace that brings close the presence of holiness, where angels seem to be, seeming to wait and comfort and enfold us in a love that is only of this peaceful place.

From this we see the world anew.  Those we love, we love more.  Forgiveness is an act of understanding and love, a gift for which no reward is sought.   There is a calm strength to accept the uncertainty of change.  Wherever we go we take with us the calm strength of our inner selves.  We are who we are.   We take with us the strength of our holiness.

So let our prayers begin with the search for that deep stillness within, to seek that connection to the holiness of God.  Let us walk in the light of that inner stillness.  This is our prayer.

Benediction

Let us go in peace.  Let us care for one another, help one another, be proud of our community of faith.  Let us carry the blessing of God in our hearts and may it touch with care all who seek help on the pathways of their life.

Reflection
Cold January days can be times of sadness and disillusion.  The joy of Christmas has subsided, the warmth of Spring seems days away.
Let us examine this darkness and sadness, recognise the disappointments they hold, and let them go.
Collect up all the regrets into a heap and throw them away into a skip called experience.
Take the hopes that never materialised and let them float away like baloons or Chinese Lanterns in the dusk.
With minds empty again look into the darkness and search for light.
Search for music and melody within our souls.
Look steadily and the spirit of light begins to shine back with a little love and a little joy.
Outside new shoots of life are appearing from the darkness of the soil, seeking light, driven by the spirit of growth.
Mornings are becoming lighter, the sun is lifting off the horizon, dark evenings are retreating.
People can smile within the cold air.
The vibration of life returns to touch the tuning fork within our spirit and we can hum.
There is energy around us and within us, let us feel it. 
Enfold in our hearts the images of those we love and bless them as we turn our eyes outwards.

Introduction - Hello

I have created this blog ro record some of the reflections and prayers I have written during my time as minister of the National Unitarian Fellowship - the NUF.

The NUF is a spiritual roost for many of the people who land on our web site, <nufonline.org.uk>.   Some are Unitaarians who value their individuality and do not want to become involved in the Unitarian organisation of chapels, congregations and fellowships - but they like to see what is going on; some are spiritual seekers who stop by to have a look at us.    They can stay as long as they like and we wish them success in their searching.   We are the fellowship for Unitarians who are unable to be part of a congregation either bcause there isn't one near enough or they are not able to travel easily.  Lastly the web site is a resource for all Unitarians.     There are discussions, worship material including sermons, e learning courses, magazines, poetry and prayers.  I hope you will have a look.  My listening ear is reachable through the NUF website.

As for me, it all started on a civic Sunday when I went to a Chapel in the town to see my daughter on parade as a Brownie.     'Now this is what they should be preaching about in church !'   I thought -  and so went another time on my own.   I enjoyed the freedom the preachers had to say what they liked about faith, whether it was about their own journey or about a world faith.   They could offer readings from any source and develop a discussion on them.  It was a free religion which was vaguely unorthodox Christian.   I stayed and eventually trained as one of their ministers.     I think of myself as a free spirit and in the right place.