Gratitude
- “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- “Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.”
- Rumi
- “When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.”
- Asian proverb
- “Enough is a feast.”
- Buddhist proverb
- “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
- Maya Angelou
- “Gratitude goes beyond the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift.”
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
- “I lie in bed at night, after ending my prayers with the words ‘Ich danke dir für all das Gute und Liebe und Schöne.’ (Thank you, God, for all that is good and dear and beautiful.)”
- Anne Frank
- “O give thanks to God for God is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
- Psalmist
Bethany United Church of Christ community, our families, our brothers, our sisters, our neighbors, our friends around the country, send big love, and deep breaths, huge long-distance hugs, and faithful perseverance, open arms, and wide margins of grace to you.
The following you can breathe, sing, and pray to:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I AM.
Be still and know. Be still. BE.
.
- Psalm 46:10
God, grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference
.
- Serenity Prayer by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr
Justice is what love looks like in public
.
- from Dr. Cornel West, author of
“Race Matters” and “Democracy Matters”
“How Beautiful, Our Spacious Skies”
How beautiful, our spacious skies, our amber waves of grain,
our purple mountains as they rise, above the fruitful plain.
America! America! God’s gracious gifts abound,
and more and more we’re grateful for, life’s bounty all around.
Indigenous and immigrant, our daughters and our sons:
Oh, may we never rest content, ’till all are truly one.
America! America! God grant that we may be
A sisterhood and brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
.
- Miriam Therese Winter
adapted from “America the Beautiful,” a poem
written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893.
By 1900, at least 75 different melodies had been written.
A hymn tune composed, in 1882, by Samuel A. Ward, the
organist and choir director at Grace Church, Newark, was
generally considered the best fit for the music, by 1910.
You are beloved. I am beloved.
Our neighbor is beloved. We are beloved.
All are beloved of God.
Thanks be to God for each one of you.
.
- Rev. Angela Ying
Quotes for our racial, economic,
LGBTQ+, and climate justice needs.
- “Denial is the heartbeat of racism, beating across ideologies, races, and nations … What’s the problem with being “not racist?” It is a claim that a signifies neutrality … But there is no neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist.” It is “anti-racist.” What’s the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an antiracist.”
- Ibram X. Kendi, author
“How To Be An Antiracist”
- “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and it does seem to me that notwithstanding all these social agencies and activities there is not that vigilance which should be exercised in the preservation of our rights.”
- Ida B. Wells, author “Crusade for Justice:
The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells”
- “Every generation makes mistakes. Sometimes these errors are relatively harmless or easily fixed. But every so often, a misstep is so damaging that future generations are left shaking their heads in disbelief. ‘What were they thinking?’ we ask each other. ‘How did they not see what they were doing?’ We gaze out at the wreckage we’ve inherited, the failed policies and broken lives, and we think, ‘This was avoidable.’ ”
- James Forman, Jr, author “Locking Up Our Own:
Crime and Punishment in Black America”
- “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
- Scripture from Amos 5:24
- “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
- Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican cleric.
Received the Nobel Prize for Peace (1984)
Anti-apartheid and human rights activist.
- “I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
- Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist for the education
of women, and youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
- “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”
- The 14th Dalai Lama. Current spiritual leader of the
Tibetan people, and inspiration to Buddhists
and many others around the world.
- “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”
- Audre Lorde (February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992).
American writer, feminist, and civil rights activist. Self-
described as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.”
- “There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”
- Adeline Virginia Woolf (January 25, 1882 – March 28, 1941), English writer,
one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors. Pioneer
in use of stream-of-consciousness as a narrative device.
- “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”
- Angela Y. Davis, law professor, author, social activist
Celebrate Juneteenth
- “When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity of others.”
- Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican cleric.
Received the Nobel Prize for Peace (1984)
Anti-apartheid and human rights activist.
- “Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
- Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996).
Most popular American female jazz singer
in the U.S. for more than 50 years.
- “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
- Audre Lorde (February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992).
American writer, feminist, and civil rights activist. Self-
described as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.”
- “You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.”
- Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965). American
Muslim minister and human rights activist.
- “The outside world told black kids when I was growing up that we weren’t worth anything. But our parents said it wasn’t so, and our churches and our schoolteachers said it wasn’t so. They believed in us, and we, therefore, believed in ourselves.”
- Marian Wright Edelman, American activist for children’s rights.
Has advocated for disadvantaged Americans for her
entire professional life. She is founder and president
emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.
- “As long as there is poverty in the world I can never be rich, even if I have a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions of people in this world cannot expect to live more than twenty-eight or thirty years, I can never be totally healthy even if I just got a good checkup at Mayo Clinic. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way our world is made. No individual or nation can stand out boasting of being independent. We are interdependent.”
- The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968).
American Christian minister and activist, who became the most visible
spokesperson, and leader, in the Civil Rights Movement during
the 50s and 60s. His legacy and inspirational writings continue
to inform modern progressive movements.
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- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
- Matthew 11: 28-29
- “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you undertake.”
- Deuteronomy 15:10
- “God is not unjust; God will not overlook your work and the love you have shown God, as you have helped God's people and continue to help them.”
- Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 6:10
- “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. … When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
- Matthew 10 - Jesus authorizes his disciples to cast out
evil spirits, and to heal all disease and illness.
- “Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”
- The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968).
American Christian minister and activist, who became the most visible
spokesperson, and leader, in the Civil Rights Movement during
the 50s and 60s. His legacy and inspirational writings continue
to inform modern progressive movements.
- “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
- Frederick Douglass
- “When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
- Audre Lorde
- “The time is always right to do what is right.”
- The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.”
- Dr. Cornel Ronald West, American philosopher, political activist, social
critic, author. Quote from “Hope on a Tightrope : Words and Wisdom.”
- “When did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
- Gospel According to Matthew 25:37-40
- “We have to recognize that there cannot be relationships unless there is commitment, unless there is loyalty, unless there is love, patience, persistence.”
- Dr. Cornel West from “Breaking Bread:
Insurgent Black Intellectual Life”
- “Beloved, let us love one another because love comes from God.”
- First John 4:7.
- “Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Gospel of Luke 10:27, also in the Hebrew Scriptures, and other Gospels
- “I can make a difference by loving myself and others as God loves us and treating others respectfully and fairly.
I can make a difference by being courageous. I can make a difference by aiming high and holding on to my ideals.
I can make a difference by caring and serving. I can make a difference by being honest and telling the truth. I can make a difference by persevering and not giving up.
I can make a difference by being determined and resourceful. I can make a difference by working together with others. I can make a difference by being compassionate and kind.
I can make a difference by being alive and working for peace. I can make a difference by being faithful and struggling for what I believe.”
- Marian Wright Edelman, American activist for children’s rights.
Has advocated for disadvantaged Americans for her
entire professional life. She is founder and president
emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.
- “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
- Book of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- “I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.”
- Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965). American
Muslim minister and human rights activist.
- “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
- Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965). American
Muslim minister and human rights activist.
- “The only way we’ll get freedom for ourselves is to identify ourselves with every oppressed people in the world. We are blood brothers to the people of Brazil, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba — yes Cuba too.”
- Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965). American
Muslim minister and human rights activist.
- “I believe that there will be ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those who do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the system of exploitation. I believe that there will be that kind of clash, but I don’t think it will be based on the color of the skin.”
- Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965). American
Muslim minister and human rights activist.
- “Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”
- The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968).
American Christian minister and activist, who became the most visible
spokesperson, and leader, in the Civil Rights Movement during
the 50s and 60s. His legacy and inspirational writings continue
to inform modern progressive movements.
- “The time is always right to do what is right.”
- The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968).
American Christian minister and activist, who became the most visible
spokesperson, and leader, in the Civil Rights Movement during
the 50s and 60s. His legacy and inspirational writings continue
to inform modern progressive movements.
- “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
- Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, February 14,
1818-February 20, 1895), American social reformer, abolitionist, suffragist,
author, orator, statesman. Born into slavery. Without his approval he,
became the first African American nominated for U.S. Vice President,
running mate of Victoria Woodhull, for the Equal Rights Party.
- “When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
- Audre Lorde (February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992).
American writer, feminist, and civil rights activist. Self-
described as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.”
- “Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.”
- Susan L. Taylor, American editor, writer, journalist. She
served as editor-in-chief of Essence 1981-2000.
Quotes by Ida B. Wells
- “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
- Ida B. Wells, (July 16, 1862-March 25, 1931), African-American
investigative journalist, educator, a founder of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
- “One had better die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or a rat in a trap.”
- Ida B. Wells, (July 16, 1862-March 25, 1931), African-American
investigative journalist, educator, a founder of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
- “Virtue has no color line.”
- Ida B. Wells, (July 16, 1862-March 25, 1931), African-American
investigative journalist, educator, a founder of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
- “Listen To The Long Stillness:
New life is stirring
New dreams are on the wing
New Hopes Are Being Readied:
Humankind is fashioning a new heart
Humankind is forging a new mind
God is at work.
This is the season of Promise”
- Howard Thurman, (1899 - 1981), American writer,
philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights
leader. From “The Mood of Christmas” (1985)
- “The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making.”
- Howard Thurman, (1899 - 1981), American writer,
philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights
leader. From “Footprints of a Dream: The Story
of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples”
p. 7, (1959)
- “Yesterday is but a dream, Tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”
- Kālidāsa, (c. 4th–5th century CE) writer.
Widely regarded as the greatest poet and
dramatist in the Sanskrit language of India.
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