We make ourselves available to God by means of a variety of spiritual practices:
Lectio Divina
This is an ancient way of praying in a group with historic and modern texts. Ours is an Interfaith look at short excerpts from writings of different faith traditions. Each Tuesday at 10 am, we gather to share our reactions to the texts and how they speak to us that day. Our program is led by Interfaith Minister and parishioner Lisa McCann. Each week, she chooses a wonderful selection of writings from traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Native American religions and others. It's a fascinating kind of prayer. Now and then we also practice Lectio Divina at our Wednesday evening service as our meditation.
Daily Prayer at Home
Consider the practice of daily morning and evening prayer. A more formal service of prayer is available at the website of Mission St Clare and by clicking here. Try it out; it's easy as pie and will take you through the lectionary readings for the Daily Office so that you are reading through a good chunk of the Bible in any given year. It's a wonderful way to start the day with your cup of coffee . . . and don't forget the pleasure of praying by using Anglican Prayer Beads. Last year our Messy Church kids made these for us and proceeds went to help fund relief for Haiti after the huge earthquake there. The great thing about these beads is that they can be used so flexibly. Google "Anglican Prayer Beads" for suggestions.
Wednesday Evening Small Group
We read through spiritually oriented books together and discuss
them. We have learned to contribute from our own experience, and the conversation is always fascinating. Newcomers are always welcome. This small group meets right after the Eucharist (which begins at 7 pm).
Healing Prayer
At the 7:00 Holy Eucharist on Wednesday evenings we offer healing prayer for any who wish to come forward to the Communion rail. It involves anointing the supplicant and laying hands on the person as we pray together for healing for oneself or for one's loved ones. The scriptural foundation for this kind of prayer is found in the Letter of James: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord." [James 5:14]
Knitting and blessing prayer shawls
These handmade garments are tokens of encouragement, given to people in the hospital or who are recovering from illness or other challenges. Knitting them encourages us to pray for the recipient, even if we 
don't know who it is as we make it. These are powerful tools for transcendence and healing.
Preparing meals and giving rides to people who need them
These are ways in which we serve others in the parish. Helping others is a great way to grow in compassion and generosity. Would you like to help periodically? Please speak with the rector.
Messy Church Sundays
In this weekly experience, we reach out to our children and help them grow in faith. This is a fabulous way for us to grow in giving and receiving as well. Besides, it's fun! For more info on Messy Church please go to our "Kids and Teens" page and then to the subpage called "Church School for K-8th Grades."
Worship
There's nothing like a worship service to transport us intentionally into the presence of God. Each Sunday and Wednesday we celebrate the Divine Mysteries and receive Jesus into our souls and bodies. Communion is an amuse bouche of the heavenly banquet--a proleptic taste of what awaits. As the psalmist says, "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."
Sunday Morning Adult Forum
We meet at 9:00 to consider all kinds of aspects of the life of faith: living ethically as a Christian, finding God in the news and in the world, the history of our worship services or the hymns of the Church, the Episcopal Church and its beliefs and practices. Conversation is stimulating and the coffee ain't bad, either.
"God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason." ~ Dag Hammarskjold
| 
| 
Share
