 Good evening. Greetings to the 252 volunteer citizen legislators gathered online tonight. Greetings to the public servants of this town watching to journalists witnessing and to neighbors hoping that the needs of our time in this place be met. I am Reverend Marta Flanagan, lead minister of first parish in the center of Arlington, the first church gathered here, but not the first religious people. Before us were those of the Massachusetts tribe, who fished these rivers and ponds, and who worshipped and wondered under a full moon, such as the one on this night. I am honored to offer an invocation at the beginning of this year's town meeting to invoke a reminder of a spirit that moves within us and among us, a spirit called by many names. Adonai, Allah, precious Lord, Father, Mother, God, Goddess, spirit of life and light, amazing grace, mystery that drew elements together after that big bang, that drew life itself from those primordial waters, and that draws each of us to this moment. Righteous love that bends the moral arc of the universe toward justice. You are present in the eyes of children above their masks in the men and women waiting at the food pantry, the ones standing at the bus stop, and the solitary figure pausing in the cemetery. Keep before us the needs of the time we find ourselves, the great inequities, biases of race and class, the loss of life and livelihood thrust upon so many by a pandemic, the vulnerability of this planet changing, warming, and the opportunities to serve and act for good in this place. Keep before us that call that transcends time and place to heal the sick, release the captive, free the oppressed, to love the neighbor, welcome the stranger, and walk gently upon the earth. Help us to play our part well, to speak with boldness and kindness, to listen with curiosity and patience, and to serve the great purposes that have brought us each to this work together. Shalom, salam, blessed be and amen. Let the work begin.