Tag Archives: community

Love abounds.

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last week I experienced disappointment and failure in a fairly public way. I also experienced a mind-blowing, heart-expanding outpouring of love and encouragement from friends, colleagues and loved ones. Once again, I am reminded that, without risk and messiness, I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, street ministry, vulnerability | 1 Comment

“Bless these gifts.”

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Over the past two or three days, I find myself needing to unfurl my clenched fist, to loosen my grip and let go. I find myself longing to integrate parts of myself and my journey that might seem incongruent or … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, Grace, peace | Tagged community, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, Moravian prayer, radical hospitality, reconciliation, recovery, spiritual growth, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“Romance, finance and self-importance.”

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Just this morning I heard a friend make the observation that “romance, finance and self-importance” are the three areas that are most likely to get him off-track. These distractions — trying to find love, scrambling for money or seeking an … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Ash Wednesday, church without walls, community, healing, hope, inner darkness, mercy, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Becoming friends.*

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

It was my privilege to preach this sermon at the 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Florida at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville, Fl, on Jan. 30, 2015. Micah 6:6-8 Hebrews 12:1-2 Matthew 25:31-40 Psalm 15 O Lord, may only … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, Justice, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, new ministry, option for the poor, radical hospitality, recovery, renewal, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Boundaries.

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Got a call today from a well-meaning Christian person who has a “really cool project idea,” making videos to send to family and friends from whom individuals may be estranged. They have a great idea – they just need access … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, holy ground, mercy, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

The girl without hands.

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Lately I have been thinking about this fairy tale, which I encountered years ago. In the past, it helped me in the “in-between times,” when the realization that old ways of being and doing no longer served me. Our 12-step … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, peace | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Justice, mercy, street ministry, vulnerability | 6 Comments

The heart of God.

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following sermon was preached this Thanksgiving Day at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. (Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 17:11-19) May we experience that Love which is no respecter of persons. In the name of God, Father, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, Thanksgiving, unity, vulnerability | 6 Comments

Commit your way.

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This afternoon, a couple of us from Church Without Walls will travel to a meeting of folks committed to ministry on the fringes. Nearly three years ago now, many of these saints graciously received me as a visitor when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged Christianity, church planting, church without walls, community, hope, new ministry, radical hospitality, renewal, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

A habit and a habit.

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The image that has stayed with me the most powerfully today came when I glanced over towards a new brother (a Benedictine monk) who had come to Church Without Walls for the first time. He was standing in his all-black … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, shame, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Into action.

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This broken world needs people of prayer but it also needs people of action. My Third Order Franciscan friends have it right when they affirm a call to service that includes not just prayer and study but work. There is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, vulnerability | Leave a comment