For us in the northern hemisphere, Tuesday was the Winter Solstice. It was a simple planetary rotation like any other twenty-four hour period, except on this spin something changed. The tilt of the plant shifted. We turned a cosmic corner. From now on our days will ever so slowly start to get longer.
On Tuesday, the sanctuary was open to honor the hope that finds us in the shadows, the flame that dances in the dark, and the song our souls long to sing. At the entrance to the sanctuary, were these words of welcome. I share them you because it’s my prayer that they hold true at all times.
In this sanctuary, you are welcome.
You’re welcome as you are.
You’re welcome to take a breath and let your spirit settle.
You’re welcome to release what you’ve been carrying.
You’re welcome to rest.
You’re welcome to listen.
You’re welcome to cry.
You’re welcome to wonder.
You’re welcome to light a candle for a loved one.
You’re welcome to light a candle for a prayer you have.
You’re welcome to light a candle just to watch the flame dance.
You’re welcome to receive the bread and the grape as symbols of God’s holy communion with us.
You’re welcome to be still and know God’s peace.
You’re welcome to read the poem on the back.
You’re welcome to not read it.
You’re welcome to come speak with me,
(I’ll be sitting in a pew near the front.)
You’re welcome to slip in and out without speaking.
You’re welcome in this place,
May it be a sanctuary for you.