Day Sixteen: Remember your baptism. Place a bowl of water in a visible place in your house. Touch the water and remember that we are linked to Christ and the Christian community through the waters of baptism.
Day Seventeen: Write a letter to God.
Day Eighteen: When attending worship or other gatherings of your faith community pay attention to how the music, liturgy, conversation, and fellowship time affect you. Be open to how God speaks to you through community.
Day Nineteen: Prayer on the move. When in the car be intentional about turning the radio off and not talking on the cell phone. When you are alone in the car, use that quiet time to be in prayer.
Day Twenty: Jesus didn't "convert" Christians, he formed disciples and sent them out to continue the formation process. Reflect on ways you have been shaped by the teachings of Jesus and shared them with others.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Sunday, 4 March 2012
40 Practices for Lent - Part 3
Day Eleven: Circle of gratitude. Before meals invite everyone around the table to share one thing they are grateful for that day.
Day Twelve: Call or visit someone who is lonely. This might include an elderly shut in, stay at home parent, someone who has recently lost their job or is grieving.
Day Thirteen: At the end of the day ask your "Where did I see God today?" Make a list.
Day Fourteen: Caring for others as ourselves take acts of truth-telling and confrontation. Abstain from laughing at jokes or comments that are hurtful to others. Share with that person your commitment to caring for God's children.
Day Fifteen: Keep a prayer journal (can be on the computer or in a paper notebook). Include prayers of joy, concern, and questions. Write down the prayers offered to God for yourself and for others.
Day Twelve: Call or visit someone who is lonely. This might include an elderly shut in, stay at home parent, someone who has recently lost their job or is grieving.
Day Thirteen: At the end of the day ask your "Where did I see God today?" Make a list.
Day Fourteen: Caring for others as ourselves take acts of truth-telling and confrontation. Abstain from laughing at jokes or comments that are hurtful to others. Share with that person your commitment to caring for God's children.
Day Fifteen: Keep a prayer journal (can be on the computer or in a paper notebook). Include prayers of joy, concern, and questions. Write down the prayers offered to God for yourself and for others.
Friday, 2 March 2012
World Day of Prayer
Today is the World Day of Prayer. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.
You don't have to be a woman to want to pray for peace, justice and solidarity in the world. I wonder which part of the world you hear crying out for God's light and love? Is it the political situation in the Middle East? Is it the hungry and sick in Africa? Is it the communities in the north of our country? Is it the people in your own community or family?
Say a prayer and light a candle for whatever situation particularly touches your heart.
A prayer for today:
We believe hat God is present
In the darkness before dawn;
In the waiting and uncertainty
Where fear and courage join hands,
Conflict and caring link arms,
And the sun rises over barbed wire.
We believe in a with-us God
Who sits down in our midst
To share our humanity.
We ffirm a faith
That takes us beyond the safe place:
Into action, into vulnerability
And into the streets.
We commit ourselves on the line;
To bear responsibility, take risks,
Live powerfully and face humiliation;
To stand with those on the edge;
To choose life
And be used by the Spirit
For God's new community of hope.
Amen.
-Iona Community.
For more information about the World Day of Prayer check out www.worlddayofprayer.net
You don't have to be a woman to want to pray for peace, justice and solidarity in the world. I wonder which part of the world you hear crying out for God's light and love? Is it the political situation in the Middle East? Is it the hungry and sick in Africa? Is it the communities in the north of our country? Is it the people in your own community or family?
Say a prayer and light a candle for whatever situation particularly touches your heart.
A prayer for today:
We believe hat God is present
In the darkness before dawn;
In the waiting and uncertainty
Where fear and courage join hands,
Conflict and caring link arms,
And the sun rises over barbed wire.
We believe in a with-us God
Who sits down in our midst
To share our humanity.
We ffirm a faith
That takes us beyond the safe place:
Into action, into vulnerability
And into the streets.
We commit ourselves on the line;
To bear responsibility, take risks,
Live powerfully and face humiliation;
To stand with those on the edge;
To choose life
And be used by the Spirit
For God's new community of hope.
Amen.
-Iona Community.
For more information about the World Day of Prayer check out www.worlddayofprayer.net
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Practices for Lent - Part 2
Day Six: Start seedlings. Plant seeds in small jars and place them in the light. May they be physical reminders that we partner with God in creation.
Day Seven: Open your awareness to those things that are destructive in the world - sources of injustice and oppression that result in destructive behaviours that hurt individuals, communities, and creation.
Day Eight: Practice the Daily Examen. One of the long-established spiritual practices in Christianity, championed by Ignatius of Loyola (a Spanish reformer and contemporary of John Calvin, who soudht to reform the Roman church from within), is a discipline of self-examination and repentance Ignatius called exmen. For more information: http://norprov.org/spirituality/ignatianprayer.htm
Day Nine: Make a joyful noise to the Lord. Make music by singing a song you have memorized or put on a CD and sing along. Let your voice praise God.
Day Ten: Journey with Jesus. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John from beginning to end during Lent and journey with him from the manger to the empty grave.
Day Seven: Open your awareness to those things that are destructive in the world - sources of injustice and oppression that result in destructive behaviours that hurt individuals, communities, and creation.
Day Eight: Practice the Daily Examen. One of the long-established spiritual practices in Christianity, championed by Ignatius of Loyola (a Spanish reformer and contemporary of John Calvin, who soudht to reform the Roman church from within), is a discipline of self-examination and repentance Ignatius called exmen. For more information: http://norprov.org/spirituality/ignatianprayer.htm
Day Nine: Make a joyful noise to the Lord. Make music by singing a song you have memorized or put on a CD and sing along. Let your voice praise God.
Day Ten: Journey with Jesus. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John from beginning to end during Lent and journey with him from the manger to the empty grave.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
40 Practices for LENT - Part 1
Day One: Ask for help. Lent begins when we recognize that we can't do everything ourselves and we depend on God's grace for our lives. Experience God's grace by asking for and receiving help for something we can't do on our own.
Day Two: Follow "Journey to the Cross" www.d365.org an online special devotional for Lent/Easter. Journey to the Cross features specially composed music, daily scripture reading and brief reflections.
Day Three: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). Turn off the TV, computer, phone and rest in the stillness. Even if it is just for 5 minutes.
Day Four: Prayer walk in the neighbourhood (where you live or work). Simply walk around and pray for what you see, hear, touch and smell.
Day Five: Prepare and cook a "simple meal" of rice and beans for lunch or dinner. Give the money you save in preparing this meal to an organization that feeds the hungry. Pray before the meal and be reflective about those for whom this is their only meal.
Day Two: Follow "Journey to the Cross" www.d365.org an online special devotional for Lent/Easter. Journey to the Cross features specially composed music, daily scripture reading and brief reflections.
Day Three: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). Turn off the TV, computer, phone and rest in the stillness. Even if it is just for 5 minutes.
Day Four: Prayer walk in the neighbourhood (where you live or work). Simply walk around and pray for what you see, hear, touch and smell.
Day Five: Prepare and cook a "simple meal" of rice and beans for lunch or dinner. Give the money you save in preparing this meal to an organization that feeds the hungry. Pray before the meal and be reflective about those for whom this is their only meal.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Spring Events
Swell:SuRF Weekend Retreat - there is still time to register!
Take all the best ingredients of London Conference Youth Forum, The Swell, and November Rally, mash them together, and shablam!, you've got Swell SuRF Weekend. SuRF is a four day weekend retreat where high school aged peeps from across London Conference create content for upcoming Swell worship services. Be part of the brainstorming, set the theme, and add your signature to what happens at The Swell.
Feb 23-26, 2012
Lambton Centre
www.theswell.ca
Youth Forum
Do you love to be inspire, challenged to think, meet new people and hang out with good friends? Do you enjoy being in an open and welcoming community where you are free to be completely yourself? Faith, fellowship and connection is what Youth Forum is all about. Come and join the crew at YF 2012.
Theme: "Walking the Plank"
Speaker: David Giuliano (former moderator of the United Church)
April 12-15, 2012 @ Pearce Williams Christian Centre
Registrations available at www.londonconference.ca
Registrations for Young Adults in Transition and Children at Conference are also available at www.londonconference.ca. Register before it is too late!
Take all the best ingredients of London Conference Youth Forum, The Swell, and November Rally, mash them together, and shablam!, you've got Swell SuRF Weekend. SuRF is a four day weekend retreat where high school aged peeps from across London Conference create content for upcoming Swell worship services. Be part of the brainstorming, set the theme, and add your signature to what happens at The Swell.
Feb 23-26, 2012
Lambton Centre
www.theswell.ca
Youth Forum
Do you love to be inspire, challenged to think, meet new people and hang out with good friends? Do you enjoy being in an open and welcoming community where you are free to be completely yourself? Faith, fellowship and connection is what Youth Forum is all about. Come and join the crew at YF 2012.
Theme: "Walking the Plank"
Speaker: David Giuliano (former moderator of the United Church)
April 12-15, 2012 @ Pearce Williams Christian Centre
Registrations available at www.londonconference.ca
Registrations for Young Adults in Transition and Children at Conference are also available at www.londonconference.ca. Register before it is too late!
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Reminders!
Youth Ministry Networking
Want to talk about youth ministry and your congregation?
Wondering how you can engage the youth in your church?
Wondering about new resources, ideas?
Want to connect with other leaders and adults who care about youth?
Let me know! I've set aside time THIS Saturday especially for you! Just let me know!
If you can't come on Saturday, contact me and we can set up another time.
info@kenesserie.com
Swell:SuRF Weekend Retreat
Take all the best ingredients of London Conference Youth Fourm, The Swell, and November Rally, mash them together, and shablam!, you've got Swell SuRF Weekend. SuRF is a four day weekend retreat where high school aged peeps from across London Conference create content for upcoming Swell worship services. Be part of the brainstorming, set the theme, and add your signature to what happens at The Swell.
Feb 23-26, 2012
Lambton Centre
www.theswell.ca
Want to talk about youth ministry and your congregation?
Wondering how you can engage the youth in your church?
Wondering about new resources, ideas?
Want to connect with other leaders and adults who care about youth?
Let me know! I've set aside time THIS Saturday especially for you! Just let me know!
If you can't come on Saturday, contact me and we can set up another time.
info@kenesserie.com
Swell:SuRF Weekend Retreat
Take all the best ingredients of London Conference Youth Fourm, The Swell, and November Rally, mash them together, and shablam!, you've got Swell SuRF Weekend. SuRF is a four day weekend retreat where high school aged peeps from across London Conference create content for upcoming Swell worship services. Be part of the brainstorming, set the theme, and add your signature to what happens at The Swell.
Feb 23-26, 2012
Lambton Centre
www.theswell.ca
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