a morning workshop with Rev. Brigid Beckman

As October comes to its close, where might we find wisdom in the waning light, the brightness of leaves, the cooling temperatures, the gifts of nature?  In this two hour workshop, we’ll explore that wisdom through poetry, conversation, silence, and gently guided meditation and writing.

Participation is offered both in person in the church sanctuary and live on Zoom*. In either case:

• Wear something comfy and cozy! 🙂
• Please have a notebook/paper and something to write/doodle with on hand.
• You’re invited to bring a small sign of nature’s bounty with you in person, or to have with you at home.

*For the Zoom link, see our Email Newsletter for Tuesday, October 26 or simply write unityalbany@unityalbany.org or call 518-453-3603 to request it.

REGISTRATION for in-person attendance

We are requesting that those attending either Rev. Brigid’s Saturday Workshop or the 10:00 am Sunday service register by calling the church at 518-453-3603 and either speaking with our office staff or selecting extension 20.

Rev. Brigid will share the following poem during the workshop:

Listening to Autumn   by Macrina Wiederkehr      Download PDF

Autumn is slipping through summer’s branches
and I am listening,
I am listening to the dying
flowing forth from autumn’s being.
I am listening to the life
hidden in the dying.
I am listening.

I am listening to the trees taking off their lush
green garments.
I am listening to the leaves turning, turning,
ever turning.
I am listening to the burning bush of autumn.
I am listening to the falling of this season.
I am listening

I am listening to the song of transformation
to the wisdom of the season,
to the losses and the grieving,
to the turning loose and letting go.
I am listening to the surrender of autumn.
I am listening.

I am listening to the music of the forest’s undergrowth
to the crunch of leaves beneath my feet,
to the miracle of crumbling leaves
becoming earth again.
I am listening to the beauty and the fragility of aging.
I am listening.

I am listening to the wheel of the year turning,
to the cycle of the seasons,
to the call for harmony and balance.
I am listening to the circle of life.
I am listening.

I am listening to the days growing shorter,
to the air turning crisp and cool,
to the slow waning of the light,
to the stars that shine in cold, dark nights.
I am listening to the growing harvest moon.
I am listening.

I am listening to happy harvest cries,
to hearts overflowing with thanksgiving,
to tables laden with gifts from the earth,
to baskets overflowing with fruit.
I am listening to the bountiful gift of autumn.
I am listening.

I am listening to a call for inner growth,
to my need to let go of material possessions,
to my need to reach out for invisible gifts,
I am listening to a call for transformation.
I am listening.

I am listening to the death of old ways.
I am listening to the life force turning inward.
I am listening to the renewal of the earth.
I am listening.

I am listening to summer handing over autumn.
I am listening to the poetry of autumn.
I am listening.

From “The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons” by Joyce Rupp
and Macrina Wiederkehr. 2005.

Reverend Brigid Beckman was ordained in 2016 through One Spirit Interfaith Learning Alliance, an international program based in NYC. A heart-centered minister and teacher, Brigid leads from relationships and embraces experiential interactions. For decades, Brigid has dedicated herself to helping others find their joy through creating opportunities for deep reflection on their own journeys and shared communal experiences. She has officiated close to 150 weddings, funerals, and baby blessings, has worked in both public and independent schools, and has led retreats and workshops for students, teachers, and people of all ages. A longtime Albany resident, Brigid recently returned to the area after living in Beverly, MA for the past four years where she was the Campus Minister and Director of Spiritual Life at an all-girls high school. She recently became grandmother to two wonderful grandbabies, just over a week apart: Keeley Brigid and Elias Martin.