February 11, 2026
I was surprised to see the woodchips on the snow this morning. Someone was hungry.
The holes were probably made by a pileated woodpecker, the largest woodpecker in the U.S. at 19 inches tall with a wingspan of up to 30 inches. According to an article in Smithsonian magazine (read HERE) a typical woodpecker drills their beak into a tree 12,000 times each day in search of food. The pileated can peck 17 times each second! We should admire their tenacity. They inspire me to exercise the same persistence in my spiritual life, the same kind of determination and commitment in sticking with a healthy daily routine of devotions, prayer, and walking. Some days I don’t want to do it. Some days I don’t do it, even though I know I feel better when I make myself.
The early Christians knew that it was important to practice; they wrote about it frequently. As the season of Lent comes onto the horizon (it begins a week from today), I invite you to join me in identifying a practice…something to add in to our lives or something to lay down. Let’s make a positive change in our lives and learn some lessons from the difficulties and challenges that come along with change. Jesus gave his life; we can give something of ourselves.
“…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 5: 3-5
Ash Wednesday Open Sanctuary
6:30-8
Wednesday February 18th
All are welcome to come and sit in the sanctuary, light a candle, and receive ashes if you wish on hand or forehead.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 6 week season of Lententide, in which the theme is change/repentance. Now is a great time to consider a lenten practice. HERE is a list of ideas to get you thinking.
I just concluded a zoom call with 20 other NH Clergy concerning the detention center site in Merrimack, NH. HERE is an open letter that we are working on, drafted by a colleague. As clergy, we are considering appropriate responses to yet another detention center being constructed in our state. I will keep you updated.
If you would like to register an opinion about the detention center, you can visit https://www.governor.nh.gov/
Under the Governor’s picture, there are two options. The first says “I am looking to”
Click on the down arrow at the right edge of the blank and choose “share my opinion.” That will take you to a new page.
Enter name/address/county as asked.
At the end of some of the blanks, there is a down arrow. Clicking on the down arrow will give options. Under Category, choose the down arrow and choose “Federal Issue”
Leave a comment if you wish, then click on SUBMIT
Our Nourishing Peace Through Understanding: A Lenten Lunch Series begins on Wednesday Feb. 25 from 11-12. All are invited to learn about Quakerism. Bring a lunch if you wish; coffee and water will be provided.
Please join me in prayer if you wish.
God of our hearts and minds, I pray for all of humanity in this moment. In this modern age we are aware of so much violence and injustice in the world and it is a heavy burden to bear. It can be easy to feel hopeless and apathetic. Stir in our spirits, I pray, that we may be energized with your love and concern. Remind us to look for the goodness that is around us and within us. I pray that we take every opportunity to celebrate what we can, to have meaningful interactions when we can, and to share kindnesses when we can. May we not lose heart and not give in to despair. Raise our awareness. Raise our spirits. Remind us that love is stronger than fear and that humanity’s hunger for fairness and justice is insatiable. May we remember that we do not need to fix everything, but we can have a positive influence in every single interaction with another person. May we bring light, understanding, curiosity, and a willingness to listen and to empathize. This I pray with all my heart, and in the name of Christ. Amen.
“May your hearts be comforted and well-equipped in charity.” -Colossians 2: 2-3
With love and tenderness,
Traceymay
603-715-0990
Traceymaykalvaitis@gmail.com
603-563-8139 | DublinChurch@myfairpoint.net
Our mailing address is:
Dublin Community Church and the Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham
295 Cobb Meadow Rd
Dublin, NH 03444-8217
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