Celebrating Solstice

 

All Summer Solstice celebrations should involve an absolutely gorgeous night, bare feet, bubbles, live music, lantern light and s'mores. We hope your Summer Solstice was as blessed and as lovely as ours! Happy Summer, friends!  xo

Happy Father's Day

On this Father's Day we would like to take time to honor all the amazing, hands-on dads that we are fortunate to count among our friends and family, but most importantly the girls and I would like to take a moment to honor my dad, David and David's dad. Three men who possess a quiet strength, lots of wisdom and so much love for their families (those they created as well as those that they were born into). They are our biggest champions, and without them life as I know it would not be possible. It is due to their hard work and dedication that we are able to live these amazing lives. Thank you, gentlemen, for all you do. We are truly blessed beyond measure. xo

Recital Day

And so ends another incredible year of dance! Today's recital was absolutely stellar (and may be my most favorite one yet)! All of the girls danced so beautifully, and I was definitely teary a few times during the show. Thank you to everyone who makes CSDS the amazing dance community it is! Special thanks to Lauri and Nicole for being the girls dance teachers this year. Their dancing truly improved so much this year and it's all thanks to your hard work and dedication. We are so blessed to be part of the Center Stage family and cannot wait to see all that next year brings! xo

At Reherasl

Recital weekend is almost here and we couldn't be more excited! xo

For Such A Time As This

"But when the hateful rhetoric in our country is getting louder and louder, and more people are dying or being abused because of their color, religion, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity/gender expression, then we as a people of faith need to stop sitting in our cozy corners and get ourselves out into the world.

For such a time as this, we are called to listen to stories without judgement.

For such a time as this, we are called to open our mouths and speak out every single time we hear hate.

For such a time as this, we are called to be the voice of love in our world. "

-Rev. Michelle L. Torigian

Pastor, Saint Paul United Church of Christ

To read the rest of  Rev. Torigian's post click here.

"And The Fruit Of Your Labor Will Come Back To You"

What you sow you will reap, reap what you sow,
What you plant in your life will surely grow, 

And what you grow with love will surely bloom 

and the fruit of your labor will come back to you.

Come back to you, do not tire from doing good,
And never give up when the road gets rough, 

For one day soon a great reward you'll see,

From the good you've done

When the harvest comes, 

When the harvest comes...

What you sow you will reap, reap what you sow,

What you plant in your life will surely keep,

Until you achieve the things you're striving for

And taste the joy,

And taste the joy, 

And you'll taste the joy of your reward, 

Come taste the joy of your reward....

What you sow you will reap, reap what you sow, 

What you plant in your life will surely grow,

And what you grow with love will surely bloom,
And the fruit of your labor will come back to you. 

-Pepper Choplin

The girls and I traveled to Connecticut on Friday to attend the final concert conducted by Amity High School's beloved music teacher Mr. Christopher Hickerson. I had the privilege of being part of the concert band during my time at Amity (back then Mr. Hickerson was the band director). He moved to "the dark side" shortly after I graduated, becoming the choir director from then until his retirement (at the end of this school year). One year ago, with his retirement on the horizon, he made one simple request: he wanted a final concert with all of his students (past and present). And while he wouldn't be conducting us band kids again we were encouraged to become part of the choir and sing that night. I'm not sure if anyone from band took him up on that (my friends and I did not) but it was an incredible night nonetheless.

Walking into that building after so many years, seeing people I hadn't seen in a couple of decades (outside of Facebook), getting to introduce my girls to Mr. Hickerson, and seeing how many people came back to experience this incredible night made me rather emotional. He spent thirty-six years teaching at that school and the impact he made on his students was lasting and obvious. So many people returned. I have no idea of the actual number in attendance that night, but according to the Facebook event 181 said they'd be there. I don't doubt that it was closer to (or even over) 200.

The song selection could not have been any more perfect. The lyrics I shared above (which you can hear in this link) were from one of the songs sung by the combined "past and present choir". Every one of those words felt like they had been written for this incredible educator. I found myself wishing that I had been part of the choir singing those beautiful words that night. As the concert was drawing to a close, Mr. Hickerson shared that the final song he'd be conducting that night would be the first song he ever conducted at Amity. He'd come full circle.

He arrived as a student teacher, quickly became the veteran teacher, and now passes the baton on to whomever comes next. Regardless of who fills that role next year there will always be only one Christopher Hickerson. The fruit of your labor indeed came back to you that night, Mr. Hickerson. May you continue to taste the joy of your reward, and I wish you all the best as you begin what is sure to be an incredible second act. xo

Pride

We spent the better part of Saturday in Boston at the Pride parade. It was glorious to be able to join with others from our beloved faith community (both Plymouth Church and other member churches within the MA UCC) as well as countless other groups in support of the LGBTQ community. Our day started with worship at Old South Church where Senator Elizabeth Warren and Pastor Judy Hanlon were honored and gave wonderful speeches. Afterward, we made our way to the MA UCC section and waited for the parade to begin. Once the parade began we were treated to Boston in all her rainbow glory and easily the best crowd of parade goers I've ever seen. Everyone was so happy and supportive and encouraging that it made the long walk in the (gentle) rain all the easier! The girls had a fabulous time handing out candy as they walked along. By the time we reached the end we were all happily tired and ready to head home.

Sadly, for all the joy and happiness that Saturday brought with it, it was shattered by the news out of Orlando on Sunday about the horrific events at Pulse nightclub in the early morning hours. Our hearts are broken but our spirit is not. We will continue to stand up and support our friends, family members and the entire LGBTQ community in the wake of this senseless tragedy. Friends, I know I've said it a thousand times on Facebook and Instagram and I will say it (at least) a thousand more: We in the UCC truly mean it when we say "all are welcome here." If you need a safe place to go or someone to listen, please know that if you find your closest UCC church (especially one who is listed as Open And Affirming) you will be safe and welcome there. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who are affected by this tragedy. xo