Category Archives: faith

Two nickels.

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past Sunday a man, whom I don’t recall meeting before, approached me during the peace. “Mother Beth,” he said with a sense of purpose that made me wonder what he wanted. He held up his hand. “When is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church without walls, community, compassion, generosity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, street ministry, vulnerability | 5 Comments

To be despised.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Sometimes laws are used to push people aside, to get rid of people we don’t like. To make them go away.” At Bible study this morning one of our friends from the street made this observation as we reflected on … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Becoming friends.

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past Wednesday morning was one of our coldest yet this year. It was drizzly and the wind blew right through the patio area outside Clara White Mission, where we host a weekly Morning Prayer and coffee fellowship. “Good morning,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Ministry | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, gratitude, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, street ministry | Leave a comment

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