Liturgy
Worship happens when we respond to God’s grace together; liturgy is about organizing the response. From sights and colours to sounds and tones, from smells to touch to taste, and yes, in words, too, we plan the moments we come together for worship. How can we best grow in offering every one of God’s gifts back to God?
Blessing Chalk and Proclaiming Easter – It’s Epiphany!
Blessing chalk to use to bless our homes, and proclaiming the date of Easter–what customs of the Church support and enrich your life? What customs do you wish were more widespread? Continue reading
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!
We wrestle with two kinds of welcome in the fall: welcoming the regulars back into the busy-ness of fall, and asking ourselves how to be hospitable to newcomers. How can we think about welcome to share the good news that God welcomes each and every one of us with open arms? Continue reading
Too Hot for Vestments?
How does the community you serve deal with “thermal lagging”–the difference between what’s sensible to wear, and the vestments that are what we use as we gather for worship? Continue reading
Resting in God – a link to a lovely piece on the value of ordinary time
How do you experience the season after Pentecost? Does it help nourish your spiritual journey, or do you find yourself longing for Advent? Where’s the value in Ordinary Time? Continue reading
Saying Grace
A good grace is one that makes those gathered at the table rejoice in the goodness of what will be shared: in its essential goodness, in all the care that has gone into preparing for the meal, and in the possibility to meet God in one another around the table. It’s always about recognizing God’s grace lavished upon us. Continue reading
Burning Palms
I like watching the flames dance as the palms writhe and curl and blacken before their edges turn white and they cease to burn. I like this moment of preparation that, as much as Ash Wednesday, helps me prepare to keep a holy Lent. Continue reading
How do you know it’s Christmas?
There are some signs that we see and hear and feel that make us know that Christmas has come. What sign helps you know that Christmas is come, that Jesus is born, and that God is indeed with us? Continue reading
O Come, Emmanuel!
I love the last little bit of Advent, as our waiting stretches out and our yearning seems yet deeper still after living in it these past short weeks. One way we do this is with the “O Antiphons” which have been rewoven into the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” They’re sung or said each night before the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the last week of Advent, from December 17th on. What traditions do you have as Advent stretches out? Continue reading
Rejoicing Sunday!
This Sunday marks the third Sunday of Advent (or the sixth, if you’re trying out the Advent Project’s proposed seven-week Advent). And if you’re like my son, what you’re excited about for Sunday is lighting what he calls the “pink candle” (and that I call the “rose candle”). Do you break out rose-coloured vestments this week? Are there any special traditions in your community about the lighting of this candle? We’d love to hear about them! Continue reading
Advent Joys
I love Advent. And I love all the traditions that are a part of Advent. So here’s my question: what do you look forward to, as we prepare to dive into a new Church year this coming Sunday? What part of Advent is your favourite? What excites you about this season? Continue reading
