Weddings

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County

Practicing Patience — Join us Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM at the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen in Teaneck when we will explore practicing patience with words, stillness, and movement. Deb will lead us in meditation and movement while Diane leads us in poetry and prose (see below). We hope that you can join us. “Laozi in Indiana” by William Slaughter Whatever it is presents itself to you, accept it. Beneficence is at work in the universe. Live with it awhile. It has much to teach you. Patience is its first and second virtue. Do not spend yourself carelessly. It requires nothing of you. Be glad. Patience is its third and last virtue. ”You May Leave a Memory, or You Can Be Feted by Crows” by Dick Allen Three years, Huang Gongwang worked on his famous handscroll, Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains. As he put successive applications of ink to paper over the “one burst of creation,” his original design, it is said he often sang like a tree frog and danced on his old bare feet. One day, he adds one hemp fiber stroke, the next a moss dot. What patience he had, like a cat who comes back season after season to a mole’s tunnel. Honors may go to others. Riches may go to others. Huang Gongwang has one great job to do. And he sings like a tree frog, and he dances on old bare feet. Quotations “All of your impatience comes from the push for gain of patience. Let go of the effort and peace will arrive….” ​​​​​Rumi “You must first have a lot of patience to learn to have patience.” ​​​​​Stanislaw J. Lec “It is strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter the time, the greater our capacity for waiting.” ​​​​​Elizabeth Taylor

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture

We hold in our hearts all who have died in war. We hold in our hearts all who live in the shadow of violence. We hold in our hearts all who have sacrificed for the safety of others. We hold in our hearts all who have sacrificed in service of peace, justice, and goodness. We hold in our hearts all the weary and sad, mourning their losses. We hold in our hearts those too angry to feel their sadness. We hold in our hearts the young and innocent. We hold each other, and the future, in our hearts, and in our hands. Shanti, salaam, shalom, peace. Light today the light of peace.