Tag Archives: grace

Finding family.

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This afternoon I had a challenging phone conversation with a woman I met at a shelter several months ago. She has struggled to find stability, moving from shelter to street to couch-surfing and back again. She has done many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“hungry feeding hungry”

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following is a sermon preached on Thanksgiving morning 2013 at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. (Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Ps 100; Phil 4:4-9; John 6:25-25) May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church plant, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, reconciliation, renewal | Leave a comment

“Where are you?”

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Adam and Eve hide in the garden, ashamed of their nakedness – of the naked truth about themselves. God calls to Adam, inviting him to reveal himself. The irony is that God knows precisely where Adam and Eve are. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, vulnerability | Leave a comment

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

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

Under the sycamore.

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past Sunday, a dear, elderly man came to our outdoor service for the first time. He often frequents our Wednesday morning coffee & prayer fellowship. He is always gracious, always has a kind word, always a warm smile. The … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, Grace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church plant, church without walls, community, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, option for the poor, radical hospitality, simple prayer, street ministry | 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