SEPTEMBER 2023

Sun Flowers at “The Mill,” photo by Patrick McCarthy

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! Its 48 degrees on this blue “supermoon” first day of September and nature is reminding us of her ebb and flow of seasons. (And yes, I howled!) Here in Newfield, we are gearing up for a very late second cutting of hay, the sunflowers are glorious, and the blackberries are well worth enduring the attack of thorns when picking, especially when a pie is in mind!

This week the Newfield Community Church will be joining with many other churches in six weeks of celebrating “Creation Time in the Season of Pentecost.” New paraments of burnt orange with red in a rich tapestry have been crafted for our tiny sanctuary. In addition, we will have a smidgen of creation-oriented music augmenting the music that compliments the lectionary lessons. For example, this first week our gathering music will be “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and our opening song of praise, “Many and Great,” also known as “Dakota Hymn” will be rendered with the blessings of Grandmother Drum and vibrations of a resonant rattle created with native Maine clay.

We musicians are so very blessed to share in the creative and holy gift of sound. I might inquire how you are embracing and creating the music of the spheres that God is anointing you with. In the rhythm of life and change of nature and season we have great opportunities to create new and fresh music that leads others into deeper relationship during worship. I trust that you are able to avail yourself of the plethora of resources that are obtainable from your chair of comfort and laptop!

Recording of Dakota Hymn by Steve Bell

The mystery of creation is everywhere, and naturally here at “The Mill” one simply gazes onto the everchanging mill pond to be lost in wonder of our Creator’s vast gifts to us. The Holy One truly blesses us by the gift of nature’s ebb and flow. The genius of creation is revealed in each season and we have a choice to be observant or not. May you open yourself fully to the blessings of the Universe and see with new perspective, listen with holy discernment, and align yourself with the affirming action of sacred sound and sacred silence.

Many and Great are you, O God!

Petah cutting with the Yanmar, photo by Nee Nee Carpenter

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings
and
Heaps of Happiness,

Your Chaplain,
Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney