The Poetry of Mary Oliver
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Contact Reggie Holder at reggie@highlandsumc.net

The Lenten Group that explored the poetry of Mary Oliver will continue to meet this summer on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm at the church, beginning on June 4. The group welcomes new participants and invites you to join us as we read a new poem and short passage of scripture each week and reflect upon it. Members of the group will take turns selecting the poems we will use and leading the discussion.

We know folks travel during the summer so even your limited participation is welcomed. Our text is the Mary Oliver collection of poems entitled Devotions by Mary Oliver.

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The Poetry of Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver almost always stretches one’s mind, grounds one’s heart, and animates one’s spirit.

During these days of people hammering on each other with their personal "certainties,” Oliver draws our attention to life's mysteries.

We’re all hip-deep in mysteries at which we can only marvel. Might mystery be the common ground that seems to elude us in our divided and divisive times? 

You are invited to join us on Tuesday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. as we explore Oliver’s poem – Mysteries, Yes in the Griffin Williams Room.   For more information, contact Reggie Holder.

Mysteries, Yes
Mary Oliver

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
   to be understood.

How grass can be nourishing in the
   mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
   in allegiance with gravity
      while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
   never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
   scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those
   who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say
   “Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
   and bow their heads.