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We are still in need a little optimism, and so we open our latest Words of Connection with a delightful offering from the Irish poet Derek Mahon. It is so apt for the moment, although it was written around 10 years ago. We follow this with a traditional Irish blessing, reminding us of the poetic […]

Today’s Words of Connection are an intriguing mix, and yet they all have something in common… they remind us how very special is our country, our world and the mystery of the human spirit and the Divine. Our contributions today were written 5 months ago, 1,000 years ago,  2,500 years ago and 800 years ago, […]

The pandemic seems to have taught us so much about the importance of supporting each other, even if we still can’t get close to each other. Spiritual connection has become more and more important. And so, we open the latest Words of Connection with a heartwarming music film from Ali Youssefi entitled One Tree with words by […]

Gratitude is powerful. Some of the greatest prayers, hymns and poems are just giving thanks in the words of many faiths. At a time of frustration, it may be the moment to enjoy the pleasure of giving thanks. It’s accepted that the receiver of gratitude feels happier for the token of appreciation, but the one […]

Spiritual harmony is to be found everywhere. This week’s Words of Connection opens with a superb short poem from the gifted poet Grace Nichols. Grace lives in Lewes and wrote this compassionate poem only last month. It comes from the website Write Where we are Now –   which we have used as a source of inspiration on […]

Words of Connection opens this week with a deeply spiritual blessing by José Argüelles. A recent suggestion that Words of Connection need not avoid challenging contributions is acknowledged with two exceptional poems. The first is a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement, and our BME community. It was written by the great Maya Angelou – […]

This week we are featuring two very current prayers. The first was the prayer that inspired the IFCG to set up Words of Connection on an ongoing basis. It is Prayer for the Corona Virus Crisis written by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah, of the Progressive Synagogue; it has been widely used since the outbreak of […]

As dwellers of a coastal City we tend to have a real appreciation of the call and inspiration of the sea, and the sea features in the first two of this week’s offerings. The first went viral in India. It was widely commented on when published in The Times of India; it is quite astonishing. […]

Taking a look at Words of Connection in Week 10 of Lockdown… One can understand the feelings of anger and frustration experienced by so many of us, so we’re offering readings of reassurance, light and harmony. The first comes from a volume entitled Healing Prayers, Meditations and Sermons in the time of COVID-19, from Leo Baeck […]

  Ramadan is in the minds and lives of so many, and will remain so until Sunday May 24th.  For this reason we open with an amazing poem by Rumi (Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī) about Ramadan. Written about 800 years ago, it’s as fresh as if it was written today. Also a radiant and lyrical […]