Author Archives: lena

Community Prayers 2021.01.17

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For … getting to the interview stage with an MFA program. Samuel reminders of God’s love and our shared humanity. Elise this community, voices of grace and forgiveness. Gena my sister’s new baby. Caleb my dad getting his first dose of the vaccine. Jennifer my mom’s 70th bday and for her love. Anslee finding a therapist in […]

Liturgy, Reflection and Benediction 2021.01.17

Liturgy We come to you, O God, with a “beginner’s mind,”not assuming we know how to listen,not assuming we know how to speak,but knowing the transformative poweryou have given us when one humanspeaks Truth and another human listens. God, here we are. Teach us to listen.God, here we are. Teach us to speak. God of Love, we long to hear […]

Courageous Speaking and Courageous Listening

Jane Patterson reflects on how we might practice courageous speaking and listening that makes space for discerning God’s truth and guidance in these times of difficult conversations  [1 Samuel 3:1-10, 11-20]. Reflection What do you know from your own experience of courageous speaking: what factors help others listen to you? What do you know from your own experience of courageous […]

Community Prayers 2021.01.10

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For … today’s great message. Maria seasons, change, and the grace we are given to be intentional. Tiffany the refreshing baptism of snow on our city today. Naomi this community. Gena the Black women organizers in my home state of Georgia, may they find peace and resortation. Gina … let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. […]

Liturgy, Reflection and Benediction 2021.01.10

Liturgy Light of ancient, light of old,search us, and know our hearts. Try us, and tell us whatanxieties we wrought.For on a day called “today,”our consciousness is concealed. Brother bemoans brother,Sister bemoans sister,Church bemoans church,State bemoans,state bemoans brother. With dimming eyes, we gropejust as the rooster crows.We scatter, we hide,we close shut our eyes. The cool wind blows. “Where are […]

A New Way of Being

As we enter a new year, Weylin Lee reflects on what our invitation is toward a new way of being and experiencing transformation [Mark 1:4-11]. Reflection What area of your life is in need of truth-telling? How are you invited to consent to God’s unconditional love in this year? Practice Confession.  Acknowledge your choice of deception over truth.  Invite yourself […]

Community Prayers 2021.01.03

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For … an encouraging message and a new year. Gena a beautiful 4 day old baby boy and a healthy mom. Brandon seeds of hope beyond present suffering. Lauryn baby Jonah. Gena my great aunt Virginia who turned 102 yesterday. Anslee … let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Prayers of Petition. For … my boyfriend […]