By Rev. Susan Hendershot, President, Interfaith Power & Light
Anyone who has known me for more than a minute knows of my love for and devotion to drinking tea. Golden Tip Assam, Darjeeling, Sencha, Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Puerh, Chai; you name it, and I have likely enjoyed it. Often in my morning gratitude practice, I include gratitude for tea, for the elements that helped it grow–sun, rain, soil–for the hands that picked it, for all of those who brought it to my cup.
Here at COP27, the Niger Pavilion has set up a beautiful tea ceremony, with strong, minty black tea being served to those who will take the time to sit, talk, and pay attention. Tea is a connector; it is served and drunk throughout the world by people of all walks of life regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, economic status, or any other false divisions we have set up to differentiate ourselves from others.
As you will hear in this video of our host, we are all connected. Our actions, and what we do, impacts everyone and everything. Tea is a contract between me and you. When we drink, we are in a relationship and are one people.
I hope you enjoy this beautiful video (click HERE to view on YouTube), and I look forward to being in a relationship with you over a hot cup of tea.
