On Monday I attended the Legislative Forum for the Chittenden County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force and KidSafe Collaborative.  This was an opportunity for our local legislators to hear concerns about issues of child, individual, and family safety.  Last year I spoke as a survivor from my experience of assault and sexual violence.  This year I attended as a supporter and helped with the set-up and clean-up duties for the event.  I wore my 'clergy collar' as a witness to the faith community's interest in these issues.

I must admit that this year I found the event much more relaxing than last year.  Last year I was pleased to share my story, but very nervous.  It was the first time I shared my story with a room full of strangers.  It ended up being a healing experience, but one filled with trepidation.

This year I was able to sit back and take it all in with a feeling of gratitude.   While sitting in the audience, I prayed for those presenting.  I felt blessed to be in a room filled with people who care about issues of violence in our community.  In the wake of tragedies such as Sandy Hook, it is easy to get discouraged and think that violence will have the last word.   On Monday morning I was reminded that hope abounds, that light always overcomes darkness.   This was a God Moment for me!

Brrr.... This is the coldest week in my recent memory!  The temperature on our three-season porch was -11 this morning.  Wow!  This week my thoughts have turned to those who don't have adequate heat or shelter and those living on the streets.  I thank God that our community has resources in place to bring people in off of the streets during these cold winter nights.  Cold days like these bring the issues of homelessness and housing security to the forefront of our minds. 

It seems to me that God Moments can come from anywhere and be inspired by anything.  This morning our local ABC 22 news interviewed a homeless man in Burlington.  He lives in a tent in the woods and prefers to be homeless.  He said he likes the flexibility.  While I don't understand his preference, I can accept his feelings. 

Homeless living can be dangerous when extreme weather hits.  When asked if he had lost any friends to the cold he nodded and shared a couple of names.  This week, though, outreach workers found him a place to stay in a local hotel.  He is safe, at least for this cold stretch.  Even though I am a stranger to him, I can thank God for that. 

Seeing this on the news was a God Moment for me because it inspired me to want to learn more about the homelessness issues in our community.  The Burlington Area Ministers Association has been in communication with the community about expanding the shelter programs.  Seeing this interview put a face on the issue for me. 

What God Moments have you experienced this week?  How have God Moments inspired you to learn more or get involved in issues or concerns? 

Our Natural Church Development Team has been encouraging us to notice the God Moments in our lives.  A God Moment can happen anywhere, anytime.  It is simply an experience of feeling close, connected or thankful to God.  This week God Moments have been springing up everywhere!

1.  Sunday in Worship I experienced a God Moment as we blessed Tricia for her trip to Nashville for the 2013 Quadrennial Training.  In that moment I knew in my heart that God had chosen Tricia for this ministry and we, as a congregation, are blessed through her.  Amen!

2.  Later on Sunday our Confirmation Class gathered for the first time.  I admit that I was nervous!  I was worried about connecting with the youth, but it was the youth who set me at ease.  They shared themselves, their God Moments and their humor in our hour and a half together.  God was definitely with us!

3.  On Monday I had lunch with several clergy women in Montpelier.  We came with our struggles, our joys, our griefs, our celebrations, and our challenges.  We also came with brown-bag lunches and lots of laughter.  I believe we lived out St. Francis' prayer, "Where there is hatred, let me sow love.  Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith.  Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness, joy." 

There have been several other God Moments in my life this week.  Some I am not at liberty to share.  Others are of the mundane stuff of life ~ shared meals, good sleep.  For all of these God Moments I give thanks.  What God Moments have you experienced this week?  When have you felt close, connected and thankful to God? 

Happy New Year!  Gary and I enjoyed some wonderful days of vacation between Christmas and New Year's Day.  We traveled to Maine where we visited with family and just relaxed with nothing on our to-do lists.

The day after we arrived the snow began to fall.  It fell all day long accumulating to about a foot before the next morning.  Since we didn't have anywhere to go the snow felt like a wonderful blessing.  It reminded me of the diversity of God's creation ~ white snow covering brown grass ~ and how God calls us to moments of stillness and rest.  I slept 12 full hours that night! 

During our vacation days I experienced many God moments. The change of pace reminded me that God doesn't value me for how much I get done or what I accomplish.  God values all of us because God created us.  God created us for love and joy and worship.  It was great to have a week when those three things were my top-priorities!