Category Archives: faith

Coming together.

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando (and every other recent and incomprehensible tragedy), it is hard to feel anything other than profound sadness. I want to make room for this overwhelming sense of grief and yet I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, faith, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, compassion, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Lasting impressions.

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This week I was blessed to spend time with folks from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. In spite of our differences, we share a common desire to live in the life-giving flow of the One who … Continue reading →

Posted in community, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, ACPE, Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, hope, radical hospitality, Relationship, spiritual growth, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

A thing of beauty.

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The past few months have been a time of rich movement in my life. I have been engaged on multiple levels, which would not be possible without a willingness to let go. The focus that this season requires has meant … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged community, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, renewal, simple prayer, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Marked by love.

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | 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 | 2 Comments

Young dreams.

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, radical hospitality, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

From expectation to wonder.

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Silenced by love.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Tagged Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, renewal, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“Who are we?”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | 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 | Leave a comment

Made holy.

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | 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 | 3 Comments

A Third Way.

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment