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.
Today many of us will participate in Ash Wednesday services, offering ourselves – our brokenness and failure and our highest hopes — to the One who created us all. Today we enter the penitential and reflective season of Lent. Church … Continue reading →
Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized
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Tagged #ashestogo, 12-step spirituality, Ash Wednesday, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, unity, vulnerability
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This beautiful picture was created by the son of a friend and former colleague. His inspired interpretation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech captures the best of humanity and speaks to the best in each … Continue reading →
Posted in Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Uncategorized
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Tagged Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, radical hospitality, unity, vulnerability
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This year I have approached the holidays by deciding to take pleasure in small things. By moving from a place of expectation to a place of wonder. We talk a lot at Church Without Walls about how, while there is … Continue reading →
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery
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Tagged 12-step spirituality, Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, street ministry, vulnerability
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Last night during our Church Without Walls Advent bible study, we reviewed the scripture for the third week of Advent. As we read from Zephaniah, we noticed a marked difference between translations. One stated that God will renew us in … Continue reading →
Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, love
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Tagged Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, renewal, street ministry, vulnerability
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This sermon was preached this morning at Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville, FL Christ the King Sunday 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 93; Rev 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Today we are invited to be boisterous and jubilant as we celebrate Christ the … Continue reading →
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace
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Tagged 12-step spirituality, baptism, Christ the King, church without walls, community, compassion, Ecclesia, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability
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At Church Without Walls, we often end the service with a blessing attributed to St. Clare. It includes the words: “Your Creator loves you, made you holy…” What does it mean to be loved, to be made holy? And how … Continue reading →
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy
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Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, renewal, simple prayer, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, street ministry, vulnerability
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My tendency is often to sort things out, deciding what fits where, as I attempt to order my own life and seek to make sense of the world around me. I know I am not alone in this endeavor. I … Continue reading →
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized
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Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, unity, vulnerability
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This past week I was reminded that rushing is not necessary. It is not life-giving. It is not healthy. On Maui, no one seems to be in a hurry, even folks going through the motions and routine of day-to-day life. … Continue reading →
Posted in 12-step spirituality, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized
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Tagged 12-step spirituality, grace, gratitude, holy ground, hope, Maui, mercy, renewal, simple prayer, vulnerability
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I am blessed to be staying in Kula, a tiny town nestled 3500 feet up, on the island of Maui. For me, this time away represents a much-needed and long overdue respite — a time to reflect on what has … Continue reading →
Posted in Grace, Recovery
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Tagged 12-step spirituality, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Maui, mercy, simple prayer
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Last night I dreamt I was travelling somewhere – with my former roommate Lisa and our friend Ashley and possibly one other soul or two. We arrived at our initial destination by what means I know not. A plane? A … Continue reading →
Posted in faith, Grace, Recovery
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Tagged community, compassion, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, recovery, vulnerability
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