Tag Archives: mercy

Icons

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Leave a comment

A happy life.

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, generosity, grace, gratitude, holy ground, mercy, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

The gift of the shadow of death.

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, compassion, healing, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, recovery, street ministry, vulnerability | 1 Comment

New life.

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | 4 Comments

To be despised.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Sometimes laws are used to push people aside, to get rid of people we don’t like. To make them go away.” At Bible study this morning one of our friends from the street made this observation as we reflected on … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Falling away.

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Yesterday, the first day of winter, it was warm enough for Evening Prayer in the backyard and then for Morning Prayer this morning. We will need ice water for outdoor church with an expected high of 81 degrees. In a … Continue reading →

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

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

Public trust.

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning I woke up just after 4 a.m., with the words “public trust” clearly in mind. I asked God what this was about and immediately my cousin Fred came to mind. Fred has a deep and abiding love for … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Ministry | Tagged 12-step spirituality, All Saints Day, church planting, church without walls, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, option for the poor, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 2 Comments