Friends,
One of the blessings of strange and unsettled times can be finding new ways to connect to God, new practices that can sustain us and our families – and that can carry us through this and into whatever is next for us and our diocese. Here is a list of some possibilities.
A great and different way to pray is “Praying in Color” which can be done with children or as an individual way of praying. I’ve used this for many years, and also found it a powerful way to pray with other people. The books are available on Amazon, and the website is prayingincolor.com. The doodling aspect of this practice means you don’t have to be an artist, and it is a wonderful way to center and relax in prayer.
We all need to be outside as this time of isolation and social distancing unfolds. Meditating while walking can be very powerful and soothing. A description is found at upperroom.org/resources/walking-prayer, and if you are interested in exploring many labyrinths are catalogued at labyrinthlocator.com/locate-a-labyrinth. A wonderful book about walking and praying and walking in the Bible from a beloved Episcopal priest and educator is Walking Home: From Eden to Emmaus by Margaret Guenther. Morehouse, 2011 (also available on Kindle).
Another wonderful Episcopal author to read with children is Madeline L’Engle. Her “Wrinkle in Time” quintet is readily available on Amazon and elsewhere. Reading aloud is a wonderful spiritual discipline and something that can be cultivated in a time of quiet such as the next few weeks are likely to be.
Praying Compline from the Book of Common Prayer is a wonderful way to end the day. Found on page 127 of the Book of Common Prayer, it is easy to follow. If you don’t have a BCP to hand, it’s available as an app through Church Publishing. You can also access bcponline.org for free.
If you want to be able to pray Morning and/or Evening prayer during this time, it is available live and as a recording at dailyoffice.wordpress.com. Join with Episcopalians around the country and the world!
Stay tuned for other spiritual practice ideas in coming weeks! E-mail responses, stories or suggestions to mapclark@dioceseofnewark.org.
In Christ,
Canon Clark