Veteran Rites invites the community to step in to circle this Sunday, December 20th at 4:30pm PST for a Community Holiday Circle.

All are welcomed to participate in this uplifting and inspiring Circle of Return where we share stories, songs, and spirit of the season as we prepare for solstice and the darker days of winter. The whole community is invited to bring the talents and fire inside of them to share as your gift this holiday season.

All are welcomed here with Love and Honor

Zoom Link RSVP and Registration https://bit.ly/3h6CVsR

Invitation: Take the intention of gratitude into nature and listen from the heart to what she mirrors back to you. Carry that story into circle as a blessing for all of us.

For Courage by John O’ Donahue

When the light around lessens
And your thoughts darken until
Your body feels fear turn
Cold as a stone inside,

When you find yourself bereft
Of any belief in yourself
And all you unknowingly
Leaned on has fallen,

When one voice commands
Your whole heart,
And it is raven dark,

Steady yourself and see
That it is your own thinking
That darkens your world.

Search and you will find
A diamond-thought of light,

Know that you are not alone,
And that this darkness has purpose;
Gradually it will school your eyes,
To find the one gift your life requires
Hidden within this night-corner.

Invoke the learning
Of every suffering
You have suffered.

Close your eyes.
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark
That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of its weight of festered fear.

A new confidence will come alive
To urge you towards higher ground
Where your imagination
will learn to engage difficulty
As its most rewarding threshold!

This space is held for any adult in the military family, including survivors of veteran suicide loss, Gold Star families, active duty, reserve, guard, dependents, and our civilian angels.  

Contact Ryan Mielcarek, Executive Director, at council@veteranrites.org with any questions or requests.