Tag Archives: street ministry

Rough edges and grace.

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Today was a glorious day at Church Without Walls. The sun shone brightly, warming us up just enough after a chilly night. We had blankets and other items to share thanks to the generosity of our national church. Dear friends … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, love, reconciliation, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church without walls, compassion, grace, grief, healing, homelessness, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Marked by love.

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Today many of us will participate in Ash Wednesday services, offering ourselves – our brokenness and failure and our highest hopes — to the One who created us all. Today we enter the penitential and reflective season of Lent. Church … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged #ashestogo, 12-step spirituality, Ash Wednesday, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 2 Comments

From expectation to wonder.

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This year I have approached the holidays by deciding to take pleasure in small things. By moving from a place of expectation to a place of wonder. We talk a lot at Church Without Walls about how, while there is … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Silenced by love.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night during our Church Without Walls Advent bible study, we reviewed the scripture for the third week of Advent. As we read from Zephaniah, we noticed a marked difference between translations. One stated that God will renew us in … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, love | Tagged Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, renewal, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“Who are we?”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was preached this morning at Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville, FL Christ the King Sunday 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 93; Rev 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Today we are invited to be boisterous and jubilant as we celebrate Christ the … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, baptism, Christ the King, church without walls, community, compassion, Ecclesia, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Made holy.

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

At Church Without Walls, we often end the service with a blessing attributed to St. Clare. It includes the words: “Your Creator loves you, made you holy…” What does it mean to be loved, to be made holy? And how … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, renewal, simple prayer, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, street ministry, vulnerability | 3 Comments

Close moments.

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

It has become a spiritual practice for me to reflect upon my life experience and to identify “close moments with Christ” – those times when I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of day-to-day living. Today … Continue reading →

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

“It is finished.”

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This reflection was offered as part of a series of readings and reflections on the last seven words of Christ at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL, April 3, 2015. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Christianity, faith | Tagged baptism, Christianity, compassion, Good Friday, holy ground, John 19:30, Last seven words, mercy, shame, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | 1 Comment

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

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