On very cold December 21, 2008 over forty people gathered for the Ministry Outreach Annual Winter Solstice Celebration at The Catholic Renewal Center in Fort Worth Texas. Many old friends brought each other up to date on their busy lives and also shared stories with new friends.

After a plentiful and delicious potluck dinner, Lenore M. Thompson led us in a beautiful and meaningful program she had arranged for the evening. Lenore also accompanied Kathleen McAninch, the Cantor, on the piano and later led us in singing Christmas Carols

The words of the hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, provided the theme and lead into readings excerpts taken from “Winter Solstice at the MOAB Slough” by Terry Tempest Williams and Daily Meditations from Henri Nouwen Society. The assembly reading from The Psalms preceded each Reading.

The longest night of the year was aglow as bright as the candles on the tables in all of us as we enjoyed our evening together.