Author Archives: Mother Beth Tjoflat

About Mother Beth Tjoflat

Episcopal priest, urban contemplative, playwright, lover of hounds, American of Chilean-Norwegian-Moravian descent. Interests include transformational ministry with the forgotten and marginalized; church planting and congregational development; 12-step spirituality; Hispanic ministry; radical hospitality, and spending time with dear friends.

In the moment.

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night I had dinner with a friend, and we chatted about a number of significant life events. My friend has taken a new job after spending many years at the same non-profit. Times like these tend to inspire us … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged church without walls, community, compassion, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hospitality, vulnerability | Leave a comment

The light shines.

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following is a sermon preached at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. First Sunday after Christmas St. John’s Cathedral, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 Judges 6:36-40; Ps. 147:13-21; Gal 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18 May I speak in the name of God, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, option for the poor, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Falling away.

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Yesterday, the first day of winter, it was warm enough for Evening Prayer in the backyard and then for Morning Prayer this morning. We will need ice water for outdoor church with an expected high of 81 degrees. In a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Finding family.

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This afternoon I had a challenging phone conversation with a woman I met at a shelter several months ago. She has struggled to find stability, moving from shelter to street to couch-surfing and back again. She has done many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“hungry feeding hungry”

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following is a sermon preached on Thanksgiving morning 2013 at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. (Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Ps 100; Phil 4:4-9; John 6:25-25) May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church plant, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, reconciliation, renewal | Leave a comment

“Where are you?”

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Adam and Eve hide in the garden, ashamed of their nakedness – of the naked truth about themselves. God calls to Adam, inviting him to reveal himself. The irony is that God knows precisely where Adam and Eve are. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Public trust.

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning I woke up just after 4 a.m., with the words “public trust” clearly in mind. I asked God what this was about and immediately my cousin Fred came to mind. Fred has a deep and abiding love for … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Ministry | Tagged 12-step spirituality, All Saints Day, church planting, church without walls, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, option for the poor, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Love and company.

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Love and company,” said Bear, “are the adornments that change everything.” These are the words from a beloved dog, as imagined or otherwise interpreted by poet Mary Oliver (Dog Songs, p 13). A simple statement — endearing and enduring — … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, radical hospitality, street ministry, welcome | Leave a comment

“Be still.”

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This is what my new friend told me this morning, as we were wrapping things up at our Morning Prayer & Coffee Fellowship. Several weeks ago, I met this humble man by chance, in a Winn Dixie. Noticing his gentle … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, church planting, community, contemplative prayer, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, silence, simple prayer, vulnerability | 6 Comments

Marvelously made.

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Some weeks ago, a colleague suggested that I read Psalm 139 every day for a while. “How long,” I asked (not meaning to imitate the psalmist). “Read it until you believe that God cares about the details of your life. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged holy ground, hope, inner darkness, inner growth, mercy, prayer walk, renewal | 6 Comments