March 20, 2020

Rest and Contemplation

To the Vox community, 

In Vox’s 14 years of existence, this is the most significant disruption to our weekly rhythm of liturgy. We as a staff miss being together with you all face to face. Know that our love and prayers are with you. This is our hope for us as we finish the lenten season apart in person, but together in spirit. In these coming weeks, can we embrace this interruption as a sabbath? Can we engage this season in a spirit of contemplation? 

It’s important to take time to stand with those who are vulnerable AND also not let anxiety be the driver of each waking moment. Our collective anxiety makes sense with an unknown future. Thank your anxiety for all the ways its protected you when you were young. Let your anxiety know that you are connected to God and yourself now, and welcome it to be with you but not drive your current reality. 

Now take 3 deep breaths as you read this…

Find the practice that grounds you to God and into yourself. 

Take long walks, rest, and breathe. Garden, dance and play. Be present with your loved ones in your homes. Continue to deepen your centering prayer practice. Even the 20 seconds of washing your hands can be a contemplative moment.

We’ve put together a list of prayers, podcasts, a spiritual practice and Greenhouse resources to support you through the next few weeks. In addition, the Vox therapist community will be hosting weekly online discussions to help us connect with each other while social distancing.

We as a staff are currently planning for longer-term rhythms with resources and online connection opportunities beginning Holy Week. In the meantime, may these remaining days of the Lenten season be filled with presence, rest and contemplation. 

I leave you with these words from Kitty O’Meara – 

“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”

Know that you’re not alone and you’re fully liked and loved as you are.

Grace upon grace,
Gideon and the Vox staff

Prayers of the People

A curated list of prayers from our prayer writing team.

Vox Homilies

During our absence of a physical liturgy, we’ve compiled some Vox homilies that may provide some support in this time of personal and collective anxiety.

You may also find our homily series on Contemplation to be a meaningful reflection on how to engage with God during this time of uncertainty.

We also have a list of books and practices that you might find helpful in your practice of contemplation.

Spiritual Practice

We’d like to invite you into a practice that can be of benefit during times of uncertainty.

Greenhouse Resources

We know many of you have young ones at home and are looking for ways to talk with your Voxlings about what’s happening. And, you’re most likely also looking for ways to keep their young minds entertained. You can find a great list of resources gathered by our Greenhouse team on our website.

[Photo by Jeffrey Chung @ Flickr]

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