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Sunday, May 25th,2025
When we look at our world these troubling days, we see war and hunger, derision and divisiveness, democracy eroding, the very earth -our home – threatened. And we do what we can.
But we also must consider smaller moments, worthy in themselves, that hearten and encourage us, that gladden us, that give us strength and joy and gratitude as we relate to others in generosity and care. Those moments matter.
I will share some personal experiences of simple gifts in which I have been embraced, both as giver and receiver. In some, the giving and receiving may have been so inseparably close that they feel as one. I’ll mention some other gifting acts by other folks, and I hope that in our conversation people with us at our Sunday Meeting will also share some memories as well.
And we can think about the ways in which simple gifts may ripple outward endlessly.
Bob Berson will soon retire after 38 years as part-time Leader of the Ethical Society of Northern Westchester. He is also a retired clinical psychologist who maintained a part-time practice in Manhattan and worked in the counseling services of several colleges and universities. He grew up in Ethical Culture—attended the Children’s Sunday Assembly of the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture, and graduated from the Ethical Culture Fieldston School.”