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December 2020

Hello Everyone,
Here we are less than ten days away from Christmas. Even though Covid-19 is keeping us more confined, I imagine you are still finding more than enough to occupy your time and presence. For that reason, I am going to save quite a bit of the resources and other information for the January newsletter. Each item below is one that I consider to be especially relevant for this time of year, or something that you will be glad to post on your 2021 calendar. Thank you for taking time to browse through the news below.

Wherever you are, I trust you will be able to find numerous reasons for gratitude and joy this Christmas, in spite of continuing to experience the great amount of sorrow that weaves through our country and across the planet, keeping us constantly mindful of the need for compassion to accompany our every prayer.
May peace abide with you,
Joyce
Advent/Christmas Videos

I recently discovered this music group, The Many.  Compassion flows through their graphics and lyrics. I find these videos very inspiring. I hope they enhance your personal reflection this time of year.

“Waiting for You”  

“We are waiting for that Gloria in Excelsis Deo”

“Those Who Dream”

it’s time to dream / Fierce Dreams / like Mary did

Brave Dreams / like Joseph did

New Dreams / like Jesus did

those who dream change everything…

“Longest Night”

An Advent/Christmas song about how God is with us, always where the hurting are, always in our longest nights.

“Lovely Needy People”

From the 2017 album “All Belong Here”, “Lovely Needy People” includes the refrain: “Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison” – some of the most ancient words that have survived from the earliest church liturgies.

“Waiting for You”

“We are waiting for that Gloria in Excelsis Deo”

“Waiting For You” was originally written to capture the paradox of the Advent season.

New Book… Just published!

Letting Go Of The Edge, by Patty Forsberg. A book of poetry by our own BCF and Core Team member in Lincoln Nebraska. I feel confident you’ll find yourself in many of these honest, hope-filled poems, many of which include a touch of humor to accompany the personal growth being described. To learn more and to order a copy of this inspiring book that is guaranteed to speak to your own heart’s journey visit Patty’s website.  At the very bottom of the homepage you will find an exquisite video based on a poem of hers.  It could serve as a reflection piece and/or a conversation starter about what you perceive as the precious “diamonds” of your life. If used with retreatants you could view the video and then invite them to write their own poem of creation as they envision it and how it currently flows on for them now. (I like the video because it moves slowly and allows for “taking in” what is being shown along with the words to the poem).

BCF Zoom First Circle of Compassion

 Thursday, Feb 18, 2021 5 – 6 PM PST (8-9 PM EST)

Mark your calendars! All BCF’s are invited to join Wendy Mospan & Colleen Shepard who are coordinating and leading the first facilitators’ Circle of Compassion. This informal one-hour Zoom will include a self-compassion meditation, a brief presentation on one aspect of compassion, and time for personal sharing. No advance preparation is needed – please just come as you are! The plan is to gather quarterly, and rotate the brief compassion presentation time each quarter among interested group members.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85619440669?pwd=K25MRUpnUEtZcWIyVUFlaEQ2bnVJUT09

Meeting ID: 856 1944 0669   Passcode: 747432

Please RSVP to Colleen Shepard [email protected]

Birds and the Season of Advent

“In the Company of Birds,” article by Maggie Beaudette. Maggie is one of our BCF. She lives in the Northwest Territory of Canada. I really enjoyed this reflection of Maggie’s. I wonder what aspect of nature is speaking to your heart at this time of year.

Remember to stay in touch. It’s always great to hear from you.

Joyce

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Go to: BCF Resources and click on it; this takes you to: BCF Programs
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Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with the eyes of compassion.
~  Thich Nhat Hanh