Blessed Are You, Holy are You – Pastoral Letter

Dearest Community,

After the last few weeks, where it seems we cannot get a break from the news of another violent situation, I was reminded of how important it is to center ourselves in our own belovedness. I’m grateful to my friend and colleague Katie L. for reminding us of this at the close of our UMC Annual Clergy Session. What follows is inspired by that blessing ritual.

Being centered in our own belovedness as children of the Divine helps us to then respond to the world, rather than react to what we see happening.

At the end of each “for those …” mindfully list people and events. As you pray through the following, feel free to add your own blessings.

For those who are starting something new …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are graduating …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are engaged in creative endeavors …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are finding themselves and loved ones at the end of life …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are recovering …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who standing up for justice with compassion …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those speaking for those who cannot …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are seeking housing, and those who are offering it …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are finding their faith renewed …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

For those who are oh so tired …
Holy are you. Blessed are you.

Blessings to each of you,

Rev. Joel

______(\____________/)______

The art for the thumbnail and this post is from Rev. Joel’s Instagram feed: Rev.Joel’s_art. Feel free to give the feed a like and a follow.

Joel is currently using the Moleskin Art Collection Sketchbook and the Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher’s Pocket Box set with the Pentel Water Brush. Joel is also using an Extra Fine nibbed fountain pen (a Wing Sung 698) with deArtimentis ink.

If you’d like to see the go-to art supplies Rev. Joel is using as he started his second sketchbook of 2021, check this link: Current Art Supplies (7 Aug 2021).

If you’d like to see what Rev. Joel started the year using for art supplies, check this link Collection of Art Supplies at the Beginning of the Year (2021).

The above links are affiliate links (manly through Blick Art Materials) for your convenience. If you were to purchase something by following the links, we would get a small commission at no extra expense to you. Thank you for the support.

Scroll to top