Category Archives: Ministry

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

The desire to please.

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Each time I facilitate a spiritual journaling workshop for women, it is different. Some women repeat the workshop, but there are always new folks coming in so that the group dynamic is never the same. There have been as few as … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Grace, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, journal writing, mercy, recovery, spiritual growth, vulnerability | Leave a comment

A leap of grace.

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This month will mark the end of my first year serving as urban missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. What an incredible gift this has been. What an amazing adventure, which admittedly at times has felt like a misadventure! … Continue reading →

Posted in Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Interfaith, Ministry, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church planting, church without walls, community, grace, healing, homelessness, hope, mercy, new ministry, radical hospitality, vulnerability | Leave a comment

And all that is in it.

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; (Psalm 24:1) When I was a little girl, we made several road trips as a family, taking us from Jacksonville to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, Earth Day, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“I am thirsty.”

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This reflection was offered this afternoon as part of a series of reflections on The Last Seven Words of Christ at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Washed with love.

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This reflection is from guest blogger Louise Hardman. Louise had written this for no other purpose than to share it with me, but I convinced her to let me share it with you. Thank you, Louise! Maundy Thursday. Late morning … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, Ministry, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, Maundy Thursday foot washing, mercy, radical hospitality, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

The together.

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Recently I heard someone say that Jesus came to create “the together.” This resonates with me. We can find all kinds of examples in scripture where Jesus breaks down barriers and boundaries, bringing people together. He even confronts some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Ministry, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Body of Christ, hope, peace, reconciliation, unity | 5 Comments

That you would bless me.

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Today a new friend shared with me how the prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) has been a spiritual aid for her. The translation she has committed to memory is this: “Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Episcopal church, Interfaith, Ministry, unity | Tagged blessing, community, congregational development, hope, peace, unity | 4 Comments

Warm, generous and friendly.

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

When I googled “hospitality,” one definition that came up described it as “treating guests and strangers in a warm, generous and friendly way.” This suggests welcoming others unconditionally, helping them to feel comfortable and welcomed. Of course there are reasonable … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, congregational development, Ministry, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, church without walls, community, healing, mercy, radical hospitality, welcome | 2 Comments

Fill the jars.

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, faith, Ministry, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, healing, mercy, spiritual growth, transformation, vulnerability | 8 Comments