Joy Beyond Measure
December 15, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert On this third Sunday of Advent, we continue to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the hymn, Joy to the World. As we listen to those words in a new way, “heaven and nature sing,” we may ask, how do we join in with this song? How do […]
Surprised by Joy
December 8, 2019 – Rev. Paula Norbert As we gather on this second Sunday of Advent, we hear this lovely reading from Isaiah, which presents these images which have been depicted in religious art over time. It was called the “Peaceable Kingdom” and we imagine that picture of the various animals coming together in […]
Signs of Hope
December 1, 2019 – Rev. Paula Norbert I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving with family, friends, good food and time to relax. So quickly after, we find ourselves in the first Sunday of Advent today as we begin this cycle once again and look to the birth of Jesus at Christmastime. Last […]
Walking Home
November 24, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert The lovely reflection today on Listening to Autumn is part of an earlier reading we shared back in October. It reminds us of the gifts that come to us in this season if we open our hearts and truly listen to the gifts that come to us. […]
Reflection on All Saints Day
November 3, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert Last Friday, the day after Halloween, was All Saints Day, when the Christian church has historically honored those who have died as witnesses to their faith. All Saints Day originated sometime in the 4th Century, most likely in Ireland, and was originally celebrated on the first Sunday […]
Making Room for the Divine Within
October 27, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, […]
The Rituals of Autumn
October 20, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert We are now a full month into the season of autumn, a beautiful season in New England as we enjoy the spectacular foliage, the slightly cooler days, the chores we undertake to prepare our yards for the coming of winter as well as the traditional fall cleaning […]
On the Meaning of Life
October 13, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert Today’s passage from Jeremiah presents some advice to the community of that day for how to live a full life. I imagine that there are countless books that have been written on the search for the meaning of life. Great minds have pondered this question over the centuries, […]
Meditations for World Communion
October 6, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope […]
Everyday Grace
September 29, 2019 — Rev. Paula Norbert We have often called the writings in the New Testament the Good News, because they speak of the words and actions of Jesus that brought good news to a people desperately in need of hope, of healing, and mercy. In a writing from Isaiah (52:6-8), we hear […]