Shelter in This Place: Meditations on 2020

by Meg Riley

2020 was a year unlike any other. A year of masks and marches. A tale of two pandemics, COVID-19 and the deep-rooted pandemic of white supremacy and structural racism. Shelter in This Place, the 2021 volume of the inSpirit Series, is an anthology of poems, prayers, and reflections from Unitarian Universalists about their experiences of 2020—offered as a testament to our collective grit and grief, rage and resistance, love and loneliness.With readings that come from a variety of perspectives, identities, and geographies, and were written throughout the long year, Shelter in This Place captures the complex reality of 2020. Editor Meg Riley writes in her introduction, “My deep hope is that this collection of writings allows each one of us to know that, even in the separateness of our masked and socially distanced grief, we are not mourning alone.” And yet despite the grief and loss collected in these pages, the writers describe resilience and joy too. They take solace in the birth of ducklings and the unfurling of new leaves. They persevere.May this book contain words that heal, comfort, and inspire you in the days ahead.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2021

Reviews

[Rrshively · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of poems, short essays, and other meditations takes us back to all the uncertainty and courage of the year 2020. I read a couple a day as a sort of meditation, and others could use it the same way. Not only was that the first year of COVID, but also the year of shootings of unarmed African Americans. Little did we know at the time how long this would drag on or whether vaccinations would only help. It's good to look back, but many of the writings are truly inspirational at any time.

[Correen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good-- leaders shared their thoughts during the pandemic. Some of the poems and other writings were insightful, others a sharing of experience, and others finished the task to the best of their ability.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quotable:

There will be celebration in our pandemic story, along with chaos, when the time comes to make of this time in our lives a story.

If you pay attention, this world will break your heart.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skinner books Inner Spirit book of poetry and meditations, written for 2020. Reflections on the pandemic, the racial reckoning, and how we keep faith and community in such challenging times. A lot of pieces I will read again, as their relevance goes beyond just that year.