Today's poem is The Coming of the Cold by Theodor Roethke, and you can read it here

The photo is a tree that stands in the centre of paved area where people gather to chat, close to a parade of shops, and overlooking a play park.  It was the stark, near bareness, of the branches that struck me.

And a prayer...

God who created all things,

Who grants the earth its winter rest.

To refresh,

To renew,

To re-create

Even when all seems dark, and stark, and devoid of life...

Grant us, too, the renewing of hope and the re-creation of joy.

Amen

A paper star, upon which to write a message, and three gold star stickers.

I chose to stick the stars onto a candle, which I will light to pray for the three people with whom I meet weekly on Zoom to pray with and for each other.  These three ministers each shine like stars in their own contexts, and it is good to remember to honour and pray for them in this way.