August 1 is Emancipation Day (the end of slavery in the English Empire), and is celebrated as a part of Carnival in the Caribbean. August 2 is Lammas, Freyasblot, or Lughnasadh, a festival to recognize the first harvest gathered after long and hard work.

In this service, we explore the ways we can “snatch joy from the jaws of despair.” How have painful times and loss invited us into moments of joy? And how has joy and celebration helped us through times of no hope? Our work is not done, but we must take time to celebrate!

BIO – Reverend Amy Beltaine provides a UU ministry of spiritual mentoring through individual and group appointments, Sunday services, rites, and rituals. Helping friends and family of the oppressed to break open instead of being broken by the pain in the world.

When (spouse) Hawthorne and Amy are not pulling their little home behind them, they are at home in Portugal or in Portland, Oregon. A graduate of Meadville Lombard School for the Ministry, Amy is on the coordinating committee of the UU Spiritual Directors’ Network and chair of the Spiritual Direction program at Cherry Hill Seminary. Amy is a nearly life-long earth-honoring Process Pan-en-theist, and aspires to become a Love-Ninja. Connect with Amy at http://amybeltaine.info.