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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Church Invisible
Recently I reread a portion of Evelyn Underhill’s writing in which she speaks of the Church Invisible (those saints known only to God) and its role in making manifest the kingdom of God. She writes: Christian selves are simply parts … Continue reading
The garden of my heart.
In tomorrow’s Gospel lesson, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. Hearing this parable used to make me uncomfortable. I worried that my soil was too rocky or shallow, that the good news would die or be snatched away. Looking … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized
Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Matthew 13, recovery, resentment, vulnerability
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A letter from jail.
The name on the envelop was unfamiliar, but I recognized the return address from the local jail. The letter was sent to the attention of “Mother Beth” of Church Without Walls and made its way to St. John’s Cathedral. It … Continue reading
Growth hog.
On a short walk in the woods, my friend Nancee expanded my vocabulary when she called me this: Growth hog. It made me laugh, even snort a little, and otherwise delighted me. I love this term. It speaks to that … Continue reading
Posted in Episcopal church, Grace, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, grace, holy ground, hope, recovery, spiritual growth
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“Nothing bad.”
This week I visited with a friend who has become very interested in our “church without walls.” Her heart for those on the edge – for those who have been lost, forgotten or rejected – is not new. She has … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, holy ground, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, option for the poor, radical hospitality, reconciliation, street ministry, unity, vulnerability
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Icons
Standing behind a thick marigold line waiting our turns to drop identification into a small pass-through drawer, together forming a community as we each hope for a green light to enter the facility to visit a friend or family member. … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, faith, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, grace, grief, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, prison ministry, unity, vulnerability
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A happy life.
On Palm Sunday, when I went to clear off the altar, I found this box of instant mashed potatoes next to the offering plate. At first, the package seemed strangely out of place, but almost immediately it made me think … Continue reading
The gift of the shadow of death.
This morning I saw my friend Abe for the first time in weeks. He looked bright-eyed and well-tended. As we spoke, I noticed a body brace peeking out from his windbreaker and asked him what had happened. “I got beaten … Continue reading
New life.
The past few days I have been thinking about what it means to be brave. Lately it shows up most often for me in a willingness to be vulnerable with others. This week I had an opportunity to speak about … Continue reading
Posted in faith, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, reconciliation, renewal, spiritual growth, vulnerability
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Two nickels.
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
walkingwithclare 