Reflections of holden village in winter

By Joan Mahoney, Council Vice President

Cruising over the waters of Lake Chelan,
past snow-capped mountains at one with the land,
docking at Lucerne as the snowflakes gently caress my face,
so begins a journey of faith and grace.

O God, how silent and cold is the darkness,
how inviting is the sunshine;
The beauty of your creation rings out as avalanches cascade
down the mountainside and pine trees are laden with snow.

O God, how great is the fellowship of a village,
singing your praises, reflecting on your words, 
and praying for your guidance;
Your presence is felt throughout each day and night, 
reminding us of your power and the grace 
we have been given through the death of your Son.

O God, how amazing is the community 
called to be a beacon in the wilderness;
to allow us to speak to you, to listen to you, 
to be free to be uncertain, and to strengthen our faith in you.

O God, as the sun rises through the sun-covered branches
to signal the dawning of a new day,
grant us the ability to listen to one another, to connect 
with each other, and to share our gifts with any community.

O God, may we follow the tracks in the road of certainty, 
but, like the clouds that roll in to cover the mountaintops 
without warning, may we be open to going off 
the trail of uncertainty to make new tracks
O God, let the warmth of your love remind us
of the cold, quiet solitude in our life
and bring us comfort on dark, snowy nights
and days of uncertainty. ​