Category Archives: Interfaith

We must do better.

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Recently I spent several hours in a pediatric Emergency Department waiting room, seeking care for my son. Many things struck me as I reflected on that evening, but one thing stayed with me: the crowded waiting room included many young … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, compassion, holy, Interfaith, love, Ministry, reconciliation, St. Clare of Assisi, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged community, equality, healing, healthcare, mercy | Leave a comment

A gentle giant.

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Dear One. This dear saint –The Rt. Rev. Charles Lovett Keyser — served as the fourth Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and, upon retirement, served generously in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy, Interfaith, love, reconciliation | Tagged 12-step spirituality, community, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy | 1 Comment

Words matter.

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

After the Christmas break, my son began attending a new elementary school. The decision to move was not made lightly but transitions can be challenging. As we moved through the first few weeks, I prayed a lot and there were … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, community, compassion, Episcopal church, faith, Interfaith, love, Ministry, reconciliation, unity | Tagged healing | Leave a comment

Strength beyond our strength.

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following sermon was offered at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, Fl, on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 31, 2020, by The Rev. Canon Beth Tjoflat. Numbers 11:24-30 Psalm 104:25-35, 37 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 20:19-23 +++++++++++ May … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, community, compassion, Grace, Interfaith, love, Uncategorized | Tagged antiracism, compassion, George Floyd, Justice, Pentecost, prayer, racism, reconciliation, social justice | Leave a comment

The gate.

Posted on May 2, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In this week’s Gospel reading (John 10:1-10), we encounter Jesus, the good shepherd. And yet in this passage he does not refer to himself explicitly as the good shepherd. Instead he tells his followers, I am the gate. I am the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, hunger, Interfaith, love, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, food pantry, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd, John 10:1-10, The Episcopal Church, Wendell Berry | 1 Comment

“We’re starving.”

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

These words yesterday, coming from one of our “church without walls” congregants, chilled me to the bone. At great inconvenience and physical hardship for herself, she made her way from a camp site to our food pantry, located about one … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Grace, holy, hunger, Interfaith, love, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged community, Covid-19, Good Friday, I thirst., social justice, The Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Diocese of Forida | 1 Comment

Come from the four winds, O breath.

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning the prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God is with us, that we can call on the One who created everything that is, even when it may seem, at moments at least, that we are left alone to face … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Interfaith, love, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | 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

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