At our May Praying Without Words meeting our friend Beryl shared a prayer inviting us to learn from the Owl. In response our friend Joy wrote Owl-Like and then The Comforter, prompted by reflections shared amongst us.
Read MoreReflections
Updates from Whirlow
i thank you God
At our regular Praying Without Words gathering in March we reflected on the poem “i thank you God for most this amazing day” by e.e.cummings. Joy Tobler wrote the poem “I Thank You God” in response.
What do you feel thankful for?
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Chalking the Door
There is a tradition of blessing chalk at Epiphany to mark the threshold of our homes with a new year blessing. It’s been common in parts of Europe – especially Catholic countries – for a long time and has spread to the UK and the US in recent years.
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Hope is the thing with Feathers
As we move into the winter season in the Northern hemisphere we may be finding the darker, shorter days in tune with concern and despair about matters that trouble us. It might be the presidential election in the United States or ongoing warfare and conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, or something that troubles us closer to home.
Read MoreUnshakable
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Read MoreReflections from Praying without Words
Someone from the group will provide a prompt to aid us in our reflection. This in turn may lead to written as well as spoken responses.
In September we shared a prayer by Mother Teresa and Joy Tobler wrote in response.
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Photo by Zaur Ibrahimov on Unsplash
Make me an instrument of your peace
As I write, bombing and violent attacks are increasing around the Middle East. As one side bombs or assassinates so the other feels compelled to respond in kind and the violence escalates and spreads. On each occasion those who have no power or control are killed, injured and made homeless. I don’t have to look far around the world to see the same cycles playing out, even if not covered so intensively by the media.
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Photo by John Jennings via Unplash
Stones and Stars
Autumn can remind us of aging, decay and endings. It can feel like a turning away from the light and into the dark. It can be a good time for slowing down and reflecting. As the evenings draw in we perhaps have more time to reflect and notice what is around us and within us in the darkness.
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A coat of hopes
What would your prayer or hope be for our world?
Image taken from Simply Living Well blog
Slow down...
There are many mentions in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures of the need to take time to reflect and meditate.
Read More“Hope” is the thing with feathers
How do we keep praying and hoping when faced with seemingly unresolvable situations?
Read MoreDoing and Being
It’s easy to think that the natural world indicates the virtue of busyness and activity. We live in a culture where doing is prized and where we may well have learnt that we have to strive to thrive, but Jesus saw things differently.
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Jesus and the two disciples On the Road to Emmaus, by Duccio, 1308–1311, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena
Walking Together
How might we offer accompaniment to those who are going through difficult times?
How might we share our experience or understanding of the risen Christ?
How might we offer hospitality to a stranger?
The Coming of the Light - Video Recordings
Following our winter Zoom series, you are invited to join us in listening to conversations between our Chaplain Alison, and friends.
Read MoreThe Coming of the Light
Candlemas is the mid-point between the winter and spring equinoxes when we start to have a sense of turning again to the light.
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Another way home...?
Pieter Breughel the Elder
Watching and Waiting
Advent is the season when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. In the world we live in it can be a busy and full time, with parties, shows and lots of shopping. It can be hard to find the time and space to watch and wait for signs that God is with us and to listen to the promptings of the Spirit.
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A Candle in the Dark
Jerome Jones, 2002. Image found on Sundays with CWM (17 Jul): Be Still and know that I am God - Council for World Mission (cwmission.org)
Sister Act
“Martha-work” can be repetitive and unexciting. Whether it’s cleaning, cooking and caring in our own homes or tasks that feel repetitive and humdrum in our workplaces. So how do we feel when Jesus responds to Martha’s frustration at the lack of help from Mary by commending Mary’s choice to prioritise sitting and listening to him?
Read MoreEbb and Flow
The natural tidal rhythm of ebb and flow can be a metaphor for the rhythm of our lives.
Do you feel you have a balance between business and quietness in your life?
Do you find times for quiet and reflection?
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