During this winter season which we refer to as the season of growing light, I have found many websites useful in keeping my internal flame going and growing. I thought I would share them here for others, in case you might find some useful too. Some are Lutheran and others are ecumenical. Enjoy and may your light glow and grow!
Lutheran:
A blog of blogs and videos produced by the ELCA:
http://www.livinglutheran.com
A blog of top Lutheran blogs:
http://theologydegreesonline.com/the-top-50-lutheran-blogs
A website targeted for young adult women:
http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/Cafe-Stirring-the-Spirit-Within.aspx
Ecumenical:
By the authors of Spiritual Literacy, a site packed with tons of prayers, music, video and more:
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com
Another site packed with prayers, art, music, meditation and more:
http://www.explorefaith.org/Index.php
A site that focuses on cultivating an attitude of gratitude. Look for the light a candle link on the side:
http://www.gratefulness.org/index.htm
A site developed by and for female clergy who share prayers with each other:
http://revgalprayerpals.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=10
Downloadable audio prayers for MP3 players or on your computer:
http://www.pray-as-you-go.org
Links to different types of prayers:
http://slu.edu/prayerbook/find-a-prayer
Daily meditation/prayer from Ireland:
http://sacredspace.ie
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February Prayers Near and Far
Living God,
Be with those without electricity and warmth,
Help others reach out in community,
To help keep them safe and warm.
Be with those providing care and support;
Wrap all involved in your love and light.
Amen.
God of All People,
Shine your light and wisdom on Egypt,
Comfort those who have lost loved ones,
Guide all parties to seek peaceful solutions,
Quicken the process to preserve lives and provide stability,
For the people in the region and the world.
Amen.
by Shari Rogge-Fidler
Be with those without electricity and warmth,
Help others reach out in community,
To help keep them safe and warm.
Be with those providing care and support;
Wrap all involved in your love and light.
Amen.
God of All People,
Shine your light and wisdom on Egypt,
Comfort those who have lost loved ones,
Guide all parties to seek peaceful solutions,
Quicken the process to preserve lives and provide stability,
For the people in the region and the world.
Amen.
by Shari Rogge-Fidler
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Native American Indian Event at St. Thomas
Come join us on Sunday, February 20 for a very special event at church after the second service! We will gather for lunch and to watch the video, "Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights." Liz Gaskins will be hosting this event with the support of the Mission Committee. The Mission Committee is hoping that we can learn more about Native American Indians together during this and some potential future events. Please bring a brown bag lunch and/or some food to share - Liz will be bringing some of her very own special native dishes from her tribe to share with us!
Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights
Native Nations, hosted by Peter Coyote, chronicles the American Indians’ struggle for civil rights, and the creation of the National Indian Lutheran Board to raise funds and awareness for that struggle. From the controversy surrounding the 1862 trial when 38 Dakota Sioux were executed in the largest single-day mass hanging in United States history, to the confrontation of the 1960s when many Indian tribes joined together to speak out with a unified voice, Native Nations tells the story of standing together for sovereignty, justice and civil rights. ~ summary from ELCA website
Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights
Native Nations, hosted by Peter Coyote, chronicles the American Indians’ struggle for civil rights, and the creation of the National Indian Lutheran Board to raise funds and awareness for that struggle. From the controversy surrounding the 1862 trial when 38 Dakota Sioux were executed in the largest single-day mass hanging in United States history, to the confrontation of the 1960s when many Indian tribes joined together to speak out with a unified voice, Native Nations tells the story of standing together for sovereignty, justice and civil rights. ~ summary from ELCA website
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mission Media Series: Book Chat this Wednesday, January 26
Come join us on Wednesday, January 26 at Carol Seaman's condo to reflect on the book and issues surrounding, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind." This is about a boy in Malawi who invented a windmill and the ripple effects that occurred. As the book cover says, "It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him."
Please join us even if you didn't get a chance to read the book. If you want, you can watch a short video online about the book and/or visit the website at www.movingwindmills.com. You can meet at church at 6:30 pm if you would like help finding the way to her condo or to car pool. Otherwise, there is enough parking there if you would like to go directly to 3820 E. Cobblecreek, (complex called Stella Ridge) just off Smith Road south of the church close to Moore's Pike. We will begin at about 6:45 and go until about 8:15 pm. We look forward to seeing you there for a time of reflection, discussion and fellowship!
Please join us even if you didn't get a chance to read the book. If you want, you can watch a short video online about the book and/or visit the website at www.movingwindmills.com. You can meet at church at 6:30 pm if you would like help finding the way to her condo or to car pool. Otherwise, there is enough parking there if you would like to go directly to 3820 E. Cobblecreek, (complex called Stella Ridge) just off Smith Road south of the church close to Moore's Pike. We will begin at about 6:45 and go until about 8:15 pm. We look forward to seeing you there for a time of reflection, discussion and fellowship!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
ELCA and Haiti: Generosity and Need
CHICAGO (ELCA) --The ELCA continues to be engaged in Haiti, concentrating its efforts on a multiyear rebuild-
ing effort one year after a devastating earthquake. Efforts include meeting human needs by providing food, wa-
ter, temporary shelter and medical supplies while focusing on longer-term efforts such as responding to housing
needs, and providing educational and income-generating opportunities.
Members of the ELCA gave more than $12.6 million for relief and recovery in Haiti after the earthquake and
about $4.2 million has been spent for work in Haiti and for Haitians who were sent to the United States for medi-
cal care.
On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the island in the south-central part of the country near
Port-au-Prince. The quake resulted in the deaths of nearly 250,000 people, injured 300,000 people and resulted
in more than 1.5 million displaced people, most of whom are still living in camps.
The ELCA provided relief through the Lutheran Church in Haiti; The Lutheran World Federation-Haiti; the
ACT Alliance, Geneva; Church World Service, New York; and Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore. Funds provided
health kits, mosquito nets, blankets, tents, tarps, quilts, clean water systems and sanitation equipment. Truck con-
voys brought in medical supplies during the fi rst few weeks after the disaster.
The challenges ahead are monumental. “Giving for work in Haiti has been generous, and every penny given
will be used for the response,” said the Rev. Daniel Rift, director of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Information
about the ELCA’s response to the disaster is at www.ELCA.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/
~from IK Synod February newsletter
Please continue to keep the people of Haiti and those working for and beside them in your prayers.
ing effort one year after a devastating earthquake. Efforts include meeting human needs by providing food, wa-
ter, temporary shelter and medical supplies while focusing on longer-term efforts such as responding to housing
needs, and providing educational and income-generating opportunities.
Members of the ELCA gave more than $12.6 million for relief and recovery in Haiti after the earthquake and
about $4.2 million has been spent for work in Haiti and for Haitians who were sent to the United States for medi-
cal care.
On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the island in the south-central part of the country near
Port-au-Prince. The quake resulted in the deaths of nearly 250,000 people, injured 300,000 people and resulted
in more than 1.5 million displaced people, most of whom are still living in camps.
The ELCA provided relief through the Lutheran Church in Haiti; The Lutheran World Federation-Haiti; the
ACT Alliance, Geneva; Church World Service, New York; and Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore. Funds provided
health kits, mosquito nets, blankets, tents, tarps, quilts, clean water systems and sanitation equipment. Truck con-
voys brought in medical supplies during the fi rst few weeks after the disaster.
The challenges ahead are monumental. “Giving for work in Haiti has been generous, and every penny given
will be used for the response,” said the Rev. Daniel Rift, director of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Information
about the ELCA’s response to the disaster is at www.ELCA.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/
~from IK Synod February newsletter
Please continue to keep the people of Haiti and those working for and beside them in your prayers.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Mission Media Series: January Book Discussion
Carol has invited us to join her in reading and discussing a book she loves called, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kakwamba (aka the boy) and Bryan Mealer. This is a great way to start the new year with the subtitle of "Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope."
Carol suggests we meet at church at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, January 26 and car pool to her house since there is limited parking near her home. The gathering will go roughly from 6:45 pm until 8:15 pm. Please see the weekly bulletin for more information and her email address or check the church directory to contact her.
The first link below describes the boy from Malawi and his amazing story, then the second link is to the book itself.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8257153.stm
http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Harnessed-Wind-Electricity/dp/0061730327
We hope to see you there!
Carol suggests we meet at church at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, January 26 and car pool to her house since there is limited parking near her home. The gathering will go roughly from 6:45 pm until 8:15 pm. Please see the weekly bulletin for more information and her email address or check the church directory to contact her.
The first link below describes the boy from Malawi and his amazing story, then the second link is to the book itself.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8257153.stm
http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Harnessed-Wind-Electricity/dp/0061730327
We hope to see you there!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Devotions: God of Good News in Hidden Places
As I read this Iona Christmas prayer, I reflected on both Josefina as hidden and her captors and how badly they need to hear the good news. I also thought of the joy the children at St. Thomas brought us through their sharing the good news during the Christmas pageant. May the mission work of St. Thomas in 2011 continue to celebrate the good news and look for God in hidden places.
God of good news,
today you begin again to reshape our lives and communities.
You do not start from the outside,but from within.
You begin in the hidden place.
Behind the inn.Before the marriage.At the wrong time.
You invite a handful of guests into your company.
Shepherds.Local children perhaps.Maybe some animals.
You join the community of the invisible ones.
The homeless and hopeless.Refugees,fleeing a tyrant king.
Later,you find fisherfolk.And a tax collector.More children.
The small.The unimportant.The forgotten.The frightened.
These are the people you choose,
as little by little you start sharing
the secrets of a kingdom that will change the whole world.
From within.From the hidden place.
God of good news:
as we celebrate worldwide the tidings of your birth,
as we set the heavens echoing with angel songs,
as we contemplate new year and pray for peace on earth…
remind us of the hidden places,of the forgotten people,
of the starting-points and the time it takes,
of the pace of the slowest and the dreams of the children
and the human scale and the soul of our towns
and the freedom to create secret dens.
Remind us that the great joy promised to the whole people
starts with those who need it most,in places where they hide.
Remind us,with all our seasonal cheer and tinsel,
that some people are left out in the cold;
that it is there,with them,that you are being born into the world again;
that it is there,through them,that you will change the world.
God of good news,
help us to find you again
in the hidden place.
Amen
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