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.

Calling them all by name.

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. (Isaiah 40:26) … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged community, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer | 3 Comments

In our midst.

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church plant, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, street ministry | Leave a comment

With power and great glory.

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

God has always been coming. He came in the creation of light, and he came yet more in Adam. He came in Abraham but was to come more fully in Moses. He came in Elijah, but was to come even … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church planting, community, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, option for the poor, radical hospitality, street ministry | Leave a comment

Without walls.

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Below is a sermon I was privileged to share at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL, on Thanksgiving Day. I share it here because it helps describe and capture the spirit of new urban ministry as we strive to “build a … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, holy ground, homelessness, mercy, option for the poor, recovery, street ministry | 6 Comments

Equality.

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This reflection was written by guest blogger Dawn Leskoske, a new participant in our “church without walls” ministry in Jacksonville, FL. Thank you, Dawn for sharing your gifts! “Or what woman who has 10 silver coins, if she loses one … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, congregational development, faith, Ministry, peace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church planting, community, equality, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, option for the poor, radical hospitality, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

A program of action.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last Thursday afternoon, the folks who planned to show up for a devotional time at a local shelter didn’t. That is not particularly unusual. My job is to show up, I remind myself, and then to adjust accordingly. So, after … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, faith, Ministry, Recovery | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, option for the poor, recovery, spiritual growth | 2 Comments

The generous cross.

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This reflection first appeared in the Fall 2012 issue of St. John’s Cathedral Quarterly, published by St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. For several months, I worked as an on-call chaplain at an urban Level 1 trauma center. A typical … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Episcopal church, faith, Ministry, peace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged community, holy ground, hope, Julian of Norwich, mercy, new ministry, option for the poor, radical hospitality, street ministry | 2 Comments

To thee all angels cry aloud.

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

I met a man recently whose bangs and forehead were laced with a silvery dust. At first glance, you might think he’d been sprinkled with fairy dust or brushed by the wings of an angel. But such benevolent thoughts are … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Recovery | Tagged addiction, Christianity, grace, healing, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, recovery, street ministry | Leave a comment

A glorious final movement.

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning my cousin Beverly (actually my mother’s cousin Beverly) walked me to my car as I prepared to drive back to Florida. She and her family graciously hosted me for two nights as family gathered this week to celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, peace, unity | Tagged Christianity, community, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Moravian, mourning, spiritual growth, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Withholding nothing.

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In my early twenties, I dropped a rock that I fully intended to carry with me to the grave. On this particular evening, I was riding around in my beater car (the “Red Rocket”) with one of my friends. Suddenly … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Interfaith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, 5th Step, Christianity, community, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, recovery, spiritual growth, vulnerability | 3 Comments