Urban Prayer [71]

Driving home via Park Street I heard some very amplified Christian Music. At the corner of Washington and Park there was a mission activity going on. Under banners proclaiming 'Cristo Te Amo' [Christ loves you!] there a was musical group set up. Joyous Christian music was being sent out into the community and through the traffic. Pastor José Vega preached between each set of musical selections.

To the side of the music there were several booths set up. One had free food, one free clean clothing all sorted by size/gender and one offering individual prayer and prayer books. I meditated, prayed left a card with a donation to the cause. What a beautiful sight showing there are so many caring people in the city of Hartford.

blognote: The activity was sponsored by the Iglesia Pentecostal de Díos on 1841 Broad Street.

St Patrick Cemetery [70]

This little cemetery is next to the St Patrick Church in East Hampton. My uncle and aunt, Jack and Ruby, are buried here; one tragic after another. Jack was Major in the Nathan Hale Fife and Drums. Aunt Ruby's funeral procession walked from the church to the cemetery with the entire fife and drum company playing. It was a very moving ceremony. At Uncle Jack's funeral his mace was put to rest along with the interment of his body. I will always remember the drums beating. They are  buried here together.

St John Fisher Church [69]

I have driven by this church, St John Fisher, so many times and admired the architecture. Was not able to enter it today but did pray at the statue of St John Fisher.

Angel Roadside Memorial [68]

Caught this one the other day but couldn't stop so went there on Wednesday. A beautiful sunny day and a very personal message on this roadside memorial. Would love to hear the story behind this. I pray for the lost soul.

The First Unitarian Society of Schenectady [67]

Took a tour of The First Unitarian Society building designed by Edward Durrell Stone. What a beautiful building, circular and peaceful. The facade is striking.

The plans to restore it to its original shape show an entrance way that incorporates structure and nature. I hope they will be able to manage the restoration.

Grafton Peace Pagoda [66]

Meditated today at the Grafton Peace Pagoda in upstate New York. It was a long journey on a gorgeous sunny day. The road to the pagoda was washed out so the only way up there was on a long, winding, dangerously muddy path dotted with many man-made rock meditative structures.

The stupa was immense and I walked around it clockwise three times: ground, terrace and sculpture level. There were bas-relief sculptures telling the story of Buddha and his lifetime.

After leaving my card with a carving in the meditation garden, I meditated in the temple itself which was in a nearby building.

This was a terrific experience and well worth the trip. Sometime I would like to return and take part in one of the services.

blognote: I heard about the Peace Pagoda from someone I met on my Central Europe trip in October. I was able to visit and share a tasteful Japanese lunch.

Roadside Memorial in the Woods [65]

Passed by this roadside memorial driving through the backwoods of Connecticut going from hither to yon. It is so simple and fits in beautifully in the nature setting. It makes you wonder who this person was and how special his family/friends thought him to be. What a wonderful statement.