Dear Friends,

The winter solstice has come and gone. I hope you made space to celebrate the light and warmth that is with us always and especially apparent and appreciated in the cold and dark of this season.

Beginning this Tuesday (30 June 2020), we will trial a simple night prayer at the end of our community meal. All who wish are invited to a brief time of reflection and prayer with candle lighting. If you would like to participate in the prayer time, please arrive by 7:15 pm. If you haven’t been part of the meal (though, of course you are invited to that as well), you may walk into the chaos of clean up and transition. Welcome! We will begin the night prayer at approximately 7:30 pm when all is settled. Alternatively, I will email the prayer we intend to use each week for you to join us at home.

Alongside gathered worship on Sunday mornings beginning on 19 July (detailed letter to follow), Avril and I intend to continue exploring how to integrate prayer into spaces where our community is already gathered. As with everything in this season of transition, things will unfold as we move along the edges with the Spirit of Love.

The Home Worship Guide for this Sunday is available here and the Reflection in Solitude is available here.

Peace to you,

Christine

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you rugged up as we make our way towards the shortest day/longest night of the year.

Here is a little song I heard this week that speaks of the little by little work of love in us. It is called “Slow Action of Love” by Australian singer/songwriter John Coleman. As this uncertain season lingers and we may be experiencing a myriad of feelings, I hope this song brings encouragement or at least a smile to our faces:

The Home Worship Guide for this Sunday is available here and the Reflection in Solitude is available here.

Peace to you,

Christine

Dear Friends,

As we move through our week, I would remind us that Australia is observing Refugee and Asylum Seeker Week and the winter solstice occurs here in the Southern Hemisphere this Sunday.

Last night at the Tuesday community meal, we read together the prayer below. I was touched as the quiet voices offered our shared longings for those who are Refugees and Asylum Seekers, especially in our midst. The prayer opened up several conversations about refugees which was also heartening.

Attached is a document with some poems and prayers for the winter solstice. In speaking with our congregation member Jennifer P yesterday, we questioned whether we should name it as the longest night or the shortest day.

How do you perceive it this year?

Regardless, I hope the attached provide fitting companions today and in the shortening days to come as we make this turning.

Peace to you,

Christine

Dear Friends,

St. Francis of Assisi once said: “The result of prayer is life. Prayer irrigates the earth and heart.” What a lovely image that encourages me to continue finding space in my days to attend to the garden of my heart.

That said, the frigid nights of the last week make it hard to get out and water the pot plants or put seed in the birdfeeder. It’s much easier to stay inside where it’s warm and comfortable. I suppose the same can be true with our prayer practices! Often the intention to “irrigate the heart” necessarily requires interruption and inconvenience. In some ways, this is the gift and grace of prayer – a reminder of who the Source of Life really is. 

So, may we continue to pause in the midst of our work and routines. May the silent stillness bring comfort, renewal and peace to our living.

The Home Worship Guide for this Sunday is available here and the Reflection in Solitude is available here.

Peace to you,

Christine