06/05/2026
Pastoral Reflection from Rev. Karen Gatlin
Phillipians 4:4-9
This week in worship, we will celebrate Communion together and Nancy Weimer will share her reflections on “Living a Life Filled with Gratitude.” Paul’s letter to the people of Phillipi forms the backdrop and the foundation for our reflections: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I’m so looking forward to hearing what Nancy has learned in her life about gratitude.
I thought this somewhat summer-y Mary Oliver poem about mindfulness might help us to get into a grateful mindset as we move towards Sunday. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Mindful by Mary Oliver
Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It is what I was born for—
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world—
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant—
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these—
the untrimmable light,
of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
