Our November Theme is Nurturing GratitudeAs the leaves turn and the light softens, November invites us into the quiet rhythm of gratitude—not the kind that demands cheerfulness or perfection, but the kind that listens deeply to what is already here. Gratitude is not about ignoring what hurts or pretending everything is okay. It’s about pausing long enough to notice the small miracles that persist in the midst of it all: the warmth of a mug between our hands, the laughter of a friend, the beauty of a community that keeps showing up for one another.
This month, our worship invites us to practice gratitude as a form of resistance—against scarcity, against despair, against the myth that we are never enough. Together, we will explore how gratitude can soften us, ground us, and remind us that even in complicated times, there is grace to be found in simply being alive, together.
May this be a season of noticing and belonging
May we give thanks for what has been, for what is, and for what is still unfolding.
In gratitude and love,
Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs
(All services begin at 10:30 AM unless otherwise noted.)
November 2 – Blessed Be Cheryl Parsons
What can the movie White Christmas, the Christian holy day All Souls Day, and Jesus’s words found in the Beatitudes teach us about living a life rich in blessings? With a fresh look at these familiar words based on Jesus’s original Aramaic, the Beatitudes provide multiple layers of depth worth considering.
November 9 – The Practice of Enough Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs
In a world that constantly urges us to strive for more—more success, more productivity, more perfection—what does it mean to say, enough? This service invites us into the spiritual practice of sufficiency: of noticing what is already here, already whole, already worthy. Together, we’ll explore the grace in setting down scarcity, the courage in embracing limits, and the freedom that comes when we realize we are already enough—and so is this moment.
November 16 – Seeds of Gratitude Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs
Every act of gratitude is a seed—planted in our hearts, our community, and the world. Sometimes the soil is rich, sometimes it is rocky, but still the seeds take root. This service explores how gratitude grows in unexpected places, teaching us resilience, humility, and hope.
November 20 – Trans Day of Remembrance @ 6:00 pm @ Dickerson College
Community LeadersJoin us for a sacred gathering to honor the lives of transgender and gender-expansive people lost to anti-trans violence. Through ritual, prayer, and community witness, we will remember, grieve, and recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of justice and liberation.
November 23 – “The Gratitude Jar: Holding It All” Rev. Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs
Sometimes saying “thank you” is easy — like when someone bakes your favorite pie or gives you a big hug. But other times, it’s harder. The world can feel messy, our hearts can feel heavy, and gratitude doesn’t always come naturally.
In this all-ages service, we’ll explore how we can give thanks even when life is complicated. Together, we’ll share stories, songs, and reflections that remind us we can hold both joy and sadness, hope and honesty — and still find love shining through it all.
November 30 – Cultural Gratitude Rick Sollman
Religious syncretism—the blending of faiths when cultures meet—is often overlooked when it is close to home, yet it can be embraced with gratitude for the diverse traditions that have shaped our own. This service celebrates the ways spiritual and cultural exchange have enriched our collective understanding of the sacred and invites us to honor the faiths that helped form our shared story.
Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10:30 am or on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 550 751 6685