September 2026

Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

Speaking about important relationships and boundaries in her life, the focus person named her fear: “I’m afraid that when I get super busy… when the meetings end… that I’ll be alone.” 

The tears started to flow.  She, and we, recognized it as a sacred moment.  Later, when there was space in the Clearness Committee for the others to make offerings to help the focus person go deeper spiritually, I was deeply touched by these words shared:

‘Tears are a good thing.  They are a question.  They are healing.  They are release.  They can be lovely.  And they can be okay.  I want to give you the excitement to say “this is okay.  This is part of the process.”  My prayer is that you can embrace all of it, even in this season.’

Another beautiful image for the rainbow, in addition to LGBTQIA Pride, is the affirmation that life is all the colors of the rainbow.  Sometimes we wish that life was all pleasure and no pain; all happiness and no grief.

Life, real life, is all of it- every color of the rainbow.  It is the joy and the sorrow; the pleasure and the pain.  It is the life-changing events like weddings that alter the trajectory of our lives.  It is the seismic events like illnesses or death that rock our world and leave us reeling.  Life is all of this.

And so, Jesus says “blessed are those who mourn,” (Matthew 5:4) not because we invite sorrow into our lives, but because loss is a part of life.  To have lived a full life is to have loved much.  We grieve deeply because we have loved deeply.

Jesus also reminds us: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)  Jesus has reminded the disciples of God’s presence, which is assured.  He wants to make sure the disciples take care of one another and accompany one another amidst all the turbulent times that are to come. 

One of the temptations in our culture is to live on a spiritual island, pretending that we can do it all ourselves.  Life’s lessons teach us that we can’t, much as we try.  And so, we gather to remember God’s constant love and faithfulness, and to be God’s hands and heart to one another.  We gather to be present to one another during the life-changing and seismic events that change everything about our lives.  We cannot go it alone.  As disciples, we are called to walk this journey together.

In that spirit, we are delighted to welcome everyone back to a new program year, one filled with rich opportunities to gather in community this fall. We invite you to explore the many ways to join in spiritual fellowship and practice with other like‑minded souls. Bethany House of Prayer continues to be a sacred space shaped by people who are deeply committed to sharing spiritual depth and nurturing community. For this, we are truly grateful! 

In divine friendship,

Rev. Matt Carriker and LaToya Staine Carriker

*a contemplative Quaker practice to discern and seek clarity around a life situation in a small group.