Day Twenty-six: Think of persons you haven't heard from you in a while. Give them a call, or send them a card. If there is something that needs mending in your relationship, take the first step.
Day Twenty-seven: Find ways to live more simply, shring God's good gifts with others by protecting the environment and supporting local farmers. Read stickers and labels to see where your food is grown. Make efforts to buy food grown within our community or province.
Day Twenty-eight: Learn the names of individuals contributing to the leadership of the local community. Offer prayers for them. Express your appreciation for their service.
Day Twenty-nine: Make a prayer wall at home. Put up a large peice of paper and encourage famiy members to write or draw pictures of the prayers of joy and concern they have for that day. Pray together for each person and for the prayer tey have expressed.
Day Thirty: Slow down and observe the Sabbath. Whether Sabbath time is one hour in a day or a 24 hour period, take time to intentionally stop "working" and spend time in worship, prayer, and family time.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Confirmation Retreat
I am putting together a confirmation retreat for you on April 20-21. It will be themed around spiritual practices, with a few games and fun thrown it, too!
Let me know if you are interested - nancy_walker@hotmail.com
Let me know if you are interested - nancy_walker@hotmail.com
40 Practices for Lent - Part 5
Day Twenty-one: Find a psalm or hymn text that is meaningful to you. Write the words out and study them. Choose a different portion of the text for each week of Lent and memorize it.
Day Twenty-two: If you consider yourself a spiritual "dropout" reach out to someone you trust and talk about your feelings.
Day Twenty-three: Practice random acts of anonymous kindness.
Day Twenty-four: Pray the scriptures by using the ancient art of Lectio Divina. For more information: http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html
Day Twenty-five: Find the oldest person you know and ask them to teach you something.
Day Twenty-two: If you consider yourself a spiritual "dropout" reach out to someone you trust and talk about your feelings.
Day Twenty-three: Practice random acts of anonymous kindness.
Day Twenty-four: Pray the scriptures by using the ancient art of Lectio Divina. For more information: http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html
Day Twenty-five: Find the oldest person you know and ask them to teach you something.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
International Women's Day
Today is International Women's Day.
The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Women – End Hunger and Poverty. In many countries, International Women's Day is an occasion to honor and praise women for their accomplishments. In 2012, Oxfam America is inviting people to celebrate inspiring women in their lives by sending them a card or honoring a woman whose efforts make a difference in the fight against hunger and poverty.
How are you celebrating the work of women in the world today?
For more information and ideas check out www.internationwomensday.com
The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Women – End Hunger and Poverty. In many countries, International Women's Day is an occasion to honor and praise women for their accomplishments. In 2012, Oxfam America is inviting people to celebrate inspiring women in their lives by sending them a card or honoring a woman whose efforts make a difference in the fight against hunger and poverty.
How are you celebrating the work of women in the world today?
For more information and ideas check out www.internationwomensday.com
40 Practices for Lent -- Part 4
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.
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.
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
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