Part of our Sunday worship at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas is a Centering Time. These are prepared – and usually presented by Ilene Dunn. They are always wonderful but sometimes they are even better than wonderful – such was the case today. With gratitude to Ilene Dunn – a superb colleague and wonderful friend – with special thanks for these words:

There’s a quiet place that breathes peace, and the peace breathes love, and the love breathes memories heart-cherished forever of people
whose life paths embraced yours,
whose living made yours better
with smiles that warmed away the cold of bitterness,
with soft touches that smoothed away the rawest ragged edges,
with listening into which you could pour the deepest aches and longings
of your heart,
with understanding that soothed still tender wounds,
with courage that inspired you to new hope and new daring,
with wisdom that guided you through wilderness, toward new horizons,
with love that whispered, “I’m here with you.”

Lovely memories of people
      whose life paths entwined with yours,
      whose living made yours brighter
           with smiles that beamed the light of sun and moon and shining stars,
           with laughter that led your heart to dance,
           with an exuberant life-melody that lifted your heart to sing along,
           with playfulness that re-introduced you to your own light-hearted delight,
           with creativity that re-opened the way of your own art.

Come now into sacred space, where beautiful memories linger, living Love’s circle with you always . . . be centered within the encircling communion of ordinary people, who had their own faults and foibles, but whose love and willingness to bless you named them “saints” in your life . . . be centered now in the sacred light of Love.

Amen and Amen.