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Walking the Labyrinth
0 Comments | Submitted: 02/16/2010 11:24 PM
It took about seven of us, on our hands and knees, a bunch of rolls of blue gaffer's tape, and about an hour and a half (stopping to enjoy some pizza on the way).
In the end, we did it - a prayer labyrinth.
If you've never experienced a prayer labyrinth before, they look sort of like a maze... at first glance. Except there is only one way in and out - the same way. You begin at the entrance to the labyrinth and walk along its twisting paths until you reach the center, a circle space where you can stand quietly aware of God around you. Then, you return on the same path you entered until you exit the labyrinth.
I admit that it can be a little strange for your first try. I remember the rainy and cold day in Washington DC, October 2004, that I caught my first glimpse of a prayer labyrinth at the National Cathedral. I thought it was kind of strange that these people were wearing socks and walking this giant pattern on the floor. I tried it though and didn't quite get it. It was an interesting experience, but I didn't have a spiritual epiphany or anything.
The second time, again returning to the National Cathedral, was different. I began to get it. It wasn't really about getting anything, but using the labyrinth and its circular pathway as a way to walk toward and with God. You see, walking a labyrinth is like being on a pilgrimage long ago, journeying to a holy place as an act of devotion. At the same time, as you walk it, I would pray simple prayers over and over. By the time I would reach the center, I would be reminded that I didn't really have to walk far to know that God is with me. God was walking with me along the way.
Maybe it sounds a little weird for you, but I invite you to come check it out. We will be using the labyrinth as one of our key images through the season of Lent in the Table worship service, every Sunday at 9:30 AM. After each service, we will put on some soft music, dim the lights, and allow you to walk the labyrinth. Don't worry - we will even have some prayers that you can offer up to God as you walk.
And like me, you may not experience an epiphany on the first time (or the second or third). But as you reach the center, you may realize God's presence all around you. The quiet walk with God could be just the oasis you need in your busy life.
- Rev. Nathan
Guess Who Is Coming to Preach?
1 Comments | Submitted: 02/02/2010 09:43 AM
This Sunday during the 10:50 AM service, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins will be preaching from our pulpit. Dr. Watkins has been in the headlines a lot over the past couple of years. She preached the sermon at President Obama's national prayer service. She also was recently named as one of the top ten most important faith leaders of our time, according to President Obama.
We are delighted to welcome her.
Dr. Watkins preaches with passion and heart of a pastor who cares for her flock. In this case, her flock is bigger than just a local congregation - it includes all of the congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We know that she prays for us daily and is committed to leading this little part of God's church faithfully into the future.
I hope you can make it Sunday. It's going to be a real blessing to have her with us and be able to share in worship as we gather at Christ's table.
- Rev. Nathan
Spirituality for Your Workday
0 Comments | Submitted: 01/26/2010 01:15 PM
Spirituality can be defined in a lot of different ways. One way is to say that being spiritual is being connected to God. Another way is to say that being spiritual is being grounded in the depths of your soul or of who you are. Kind of like breathing then, spirituality is about pausing in a present moment to realize that you are alive and blessed.
Jesus did this in his life by going alone on a mountain to pray. Mountains are often revered as holy places because of the immediacy and beauty of nature. But there wasn't anything particularly holy about the mountains Jesus would climb. Spending time alone or in quiet doesn't necessarily have to be a holy or spiritual act either.
But for Jesus, I think it was a time to push away the aches of his past and the desires of the future... and just be alive and in God's presence. He breathed, knowing he was breathing in the spirit of God. He listened for the still, small voice rising from the depths of creation. He set aside the yearnings of his body to be attentive to the will of God.
We can experience this kind of present moment prayer in our daily life by doing just a couple of practices.
First, stop whatever you are doing, find a comfortable place to sit, stand, or lie down, and begin to breathe. Part of this process is letting your body quiet down for a moment. As you breathe, imagine that you are breathing in the goodness of God.
Second, think or envision those things of your past that may be nagging at you. It could be a recent fight with a friend or spouse. It could be some guilt or anger over what someone said to you. It could be some memory that is weighing on your heart. As you think about these things, offer them to God.
Next, think about the things of the future weighing on you. Deadlines, projects, and impending meetings may top the list. You could be dreading a conversation with a friend. You might even be worrying about paying bills or running errands. Again, as you think about these things, offer them quietly and gently to God.
Third, with past and future offered to God, sit in silence and be. Pay attention to your breathing. Pay attention to what you see around you. Be aware of where you are, what you feel. Be aware of how alive you are.
When the time is right, you might recite the Lord's Prayer, paying special attention to those many verbs that are all present tense. "Give me this day my daily bread." "Forgive me..." "Lead me not..."
As you close your moment of quiet and stillness, just give thanks to God in whatever words you can muster.
This is a practice you could do in the middle of your workday, maybe to refresh you and refocus you on the tasks you have ahead of you.
Let me know if you try this and how it was helpful for you in the comments below.
- Rev. Nathan
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