Stephen writes, “I have three teachers I go back to whenever I feel overwhelmed or despairing–Tutu, MLK Jr., and Vaclav Havel, all in my lifetime and closer at hand than other long-ago figures who faced times out of joint and full of fear. Havel said “Hope is a state of mind, not the state of the world.” It is very difficult to feel hopeful right now, but we need to remember that we are people of faith, and committed to a path that asks us not to ever succumb to fear. We are not naive, nor dreamy–but we are firm in following the Dream, to being, as King said, “Transformed Nonconformists.” As we close out this regular church year, it is good to be reminded of our task, and our trust in that path.” The Flower Communion service will feature music from harp quintet, Harpeggios.