A Positively Poetic Priest

  One of the things we do in the Worship Together service is teach the children words for the littlest children, its very basic words, because they are just beginning to talk for the older children, it is teaching them bigger words, Like the special words we use for the cup and plate we use for our meal with Jesus Do you all know what those words are? This is a (chalice) this is a (Paten). Well done. Can you say, conversation? Let me hear you say, conversation. Do you know what a conversation is? Raise your hand, How many of you think you know what a conversation is? Learning how to have a conversation is an important aspect of socialization for children, and adults. Which I know all of you are rolling your eyes and thinking to yourself, "Mother Elizabeth, I'm ...(insert random number, you can be honest with yourself) years old, I know how to have a conversation." Hmmm....  In our recent clergy meeting with the Bishop, she told us  That we need to take the summer time as ...

"Spiritual direction is a relationship that allows one to assist another in discerning God's activity and presence in his or her life. This relationship assumes that we all need help to listen to God and live out his call." (p. 116 Spiritual Disciplines Handbook) Many people experience spiritual direction for the first time at a retreat. They are scheduled time with a priest, monk, nun, or other spiritual director where they are to talk about where God is in their life at that time during the retreat. Spiritual direction is a God centered relationship requiring trust and maturity. The spiritual director gives a new perspective to the life story of the directee by helping them see God at work through conversation, reflection, and exercises. Find a spiritual director with whom you can have a good relationship some times takes a while. Many retreat centers, diocesan centers, and some churches have lists of trained spiritual directors, however, as a relationship, it is i...