BLUE CHRISTMAS TAIZÉ SERVICE
In Person & Online

Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. 

Matthew 11:28

A service for all of us who are feeling loss, loneliness, or sadness at Christmas time. This time and place offer you the safety you need to come into Presence not just with feelings of joy, but with your whole Beloved Self.  

Taizé is a simple and beautiful meditative candlelight service of sung prayers, scripture, and silence. You may participate as much or as little as is comfortable to you. There is no right or wrong way to be part of this service. 

During these long, dark winter nights, Christmas can feel like it’s everywhere. Simply walking  down the street, we see the sparkle of Christmas lights, hear the laughter of people gathering to celebrate, smell the familiar foods of the season in the air. 

This can feel reassuring, exciting, special.
It can also feel painful.

For some, it the pain of loss - loved ones, health, a sense of safety, the losses of the world.
For some, it is the end of a relationship or a way of life. And we aren't sure how we will go on. 
For some, we long for lost traditions and we haven’t yet found our way to new ones.
For some, we are isolated by distance of miles or the heart.
And there is so much more.

We set aside a special night to honor the sacred feelings that may come with the season of Christmas and the upcoming new year…

Pain. Grief. Longing. Sorrow. Loneliness.

Friends, we welcome whatever comes.

Taizé Services 2nd Tuesday of the Month
Hybrid

ARE YOU…

• Spiritual but not religious?

• Religious but not quite finding what you are looking for?

• Frustrated, but not quite sure where to look for answers?

• Feeling stuck, and not quite sure how to get unstuck?

• Coming to a crossroads in life, and struggling to decide which path to take?

• Seeking a community without religious dogma and without the pressure to conform at the expense of your individual autonomy?

• Looking to connect with your deeper sense of meaning and purpose?

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION

MEET OTHERS WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND INTENTION,
MAYBE EVEN GET A LITTLE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

WHO WE ARE:
A BUDDING COMMUNITY OF SEEKERS

• We are looking for community, connection, and wisdom in an era defined by distraction and separation.

• We are open to the possibility deep truths exist, but instinctively resist the shallow spirituality typically offered by religious institutions.

• We don’t like being told what to believe or how to behave, and commit to not imposing our beliefs and expectations on others.

• Our preference would be to identify tools that help us find the answers we seek for ourselves, but do so in a community of fellow seekers.

• Our group is explicitly irreligious, though we welcome the religious and irreligious alike.

• All are welcome who support and honor our commitment
  not to impose beliefs on others.

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson & Beth Wylie
First and Third Wednesday Afternoons 3PM

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, LGBTQIA+ allyship, fighting Christian nationalism and promoting human rights for Palestinians. If you are passionate about these or topics, drop in to Justice Cafe – we would love to hear from you.

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact with more joy as we work for justice. Learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community we can make a difference.

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson & Beth Wylie
First and Third Wednesday Afternoons 3PM

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, LGBTQIA+ allyship, fighting Christian nationalism and promoting human rights for Palestinians. If you are passionate about these or topics, drop in to Justice Cafe – we would love to hear from you.

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact with more joy as we work for justice. Learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community we can make a difference.

ARE YOU…

• Spiritual but not religious?

• Religious but not quite finding what you are looking for?

• Frustrated, but not quite sure where to look for answers?

• Feeling stuck, and not quite sure how to get unstuck?

• Coming to a crossroads in life, and struggling to decide which path to take?

• Seeking a community without religious dogma and without the pressure to conform at the expense of your individual autonomy?

• Looking to connect with your deeper sense of meaning and purpose?

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION

MEET OTHERS WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND INTENTION,
MAYBE EVEN GET A LITTLE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

WHO WE ARE:
A BUDDING COMMUNITY OF SEEKERS

• We are looking for community, connection, and wisdom in an era defined by distraction and separation.

• We are open to the possibility deep truths exist, but instinctively resist the shallow spirituality typically offered by religious institutions.

• We don’t like being told what to believe or how to behave, and commit to not imposing our beliefs and expectations on others.

• Our preference would be to identify tools that help us find the answers we seek for ourselves, but do so in a community of fellow seekers.

• Our group is explicitly irreligious, though we welcome the religious and irreligious alike.

• All are welcome who support and honor our commitment
  not to impose beliefs on others.

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson and Beth Wylie

Co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson & Beth Wylie
First and Third Wednesday Afternoons 3PM

Our current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, LGBTQIA+ allyship, fighting Christian nationalism and promoting human rights for Palestinians. If you are passionate about these or topics, drop in to Justice Cafe – we would love to hear from you.

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact with more joy as we work for justice. Learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community we can make a difference.