Category Archives: faith

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

Fresh perspective.

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This week I am blessed to be able to attend a CREDO conference for Episcopal clergy. We have already done a heap of pre-work, taking stock of physical, spiritual, emotional, vocational and financial health. (That’s some pretty comprehensive inventory-taking.) As … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, CREDO, hope, reflection | Leave a comment

Together, a dwelling place for God.

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night, a cadre of folks who have been participating in various aspects of our “church without walls” ministry came together to reflect on what God might be doing in us. We took time to think and share about how … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Interfaith, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Grace happens.

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Over and over again, I am humbled, amazed and touched at what God does to bring healing, connection and meaning into our broken world. A couple of days ago I was at a local shelter where I serve as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church without walls, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, street ministry, vulnerability | 1 Comment

Better late than never.

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

For a moment today, I was upset with myself for overlooking the Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi (yesterday, August 11). For Pete’s sake, this blog is named for Clare, about whom I became curious and to whom I found … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, St. Clare of Assisi | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, radical hospitality, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Camp “do-over.”

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past week I was blessed with a doozy of a “do-over.” I spent a week at camp, serving as chaplain for a group of 97 beautiful kids, ranging in age from middle-school through high-school. It wasn’t until the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Ministry, peace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, grace, healing, holy ground, mercy, mission, vulnerability, youth ministry | 4 Comments

Abbey cats.

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This week I have been enjoying much-needed downtime at a Roman Catholic Abbey. I don’t like the term “self-directed retreat” — my hope is to get out of myself — but my time here is essentially unstructured. If I want … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Interfaith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged Contemplation, holy ground, hospitality, silence, spiritual growth | 3 Comments

Banishing loneliness.

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Lately I have been struggling with various forms of media, and more specifically with the amount of time I spend scanning online news, and social media feeds. Fortunately I think I am too old to “get” Twitter though I do … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, faith, Grace, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, church without walls, community, grace, healing, hope, inner darkness, mercy, social media, vulnerability | 2 Comments