Reflections from Rev. Jeanne Loveless

This past week in some Christian traditions was the celebration of Candlemas or “The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.” In traditional Gaelic cultures this was/is also called Imbolc, or St. Bridgit's (or the more ancient Goddess Brighid’s) Day. St. Bridgit’s day is held between the winter solstice and the spring equinox- and it marks the beginning of spring. This day as new buds pop out in my garden- I’m thinking of a “Note” from my own Spiritual Journey that I want to share with you.

Dear UCH Beloved Community,

I was planning to emerge from my break to write you an encouraging "Thank God 2020 is over" New Year's letter, but my heart and mind are still reeling from the horrific events we witnessed in our nation’s capitol Wednesday. I feel angry, deeply grieved, and exhausted.

Like many of you, there are times lately, I have struggled with things that are far out of my control.

As you know by now, I am a photographer and since that is what I did almost every day on our trip to Scotland- I’m going to talk about it. I love coming around the bend of a trail with my camera on my hip, and realizing that I have wandered into something remarkable- a piercing shaft of light; the deep greenness in the leaves; perfect reflections of sky in water; clouds shaped like a thunderbird holding the moon between her wings. That kind of magic doesn’t happen often. You have to train yourself to slow down and look for it - to teach your eyes, mind, and heart to see it.