Coming Home

Coming Home

Nature Based Practices

Rev. Lee begins this week’s message by telling us about a tree she used to climb as a child. She also shares a passage from a book called ‘Wintering,” which acknowledges that life has a natural ebb and flow. Did you ever think you might learn an important lesson about life from a pecan tree? Perhaps you will. Rev. Lee also takes us into the John Heinz refuge in Philadelphia for a few moments of quiet mindfulness together. Nature Based…

The Practice of Lectio Divina

This week, Rev. Michael Bush takes us through the practice of Lectio Divina, which is Latin for “divine reading.” It encourages the reader to follow four practices when reading scripture or spiritual texts. “Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio.” (Translated as: Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest/Contemplate.) You’ll have a chance to practice this along with Rev. Michael as he takes us through a passage from the Gospel of Mark. The Practice of Lectio Divina NAMEDATEFebruary 28, 2021DURATION27m 59sLectio Divina Podcast.mp3START OF TRANSCRIPT[00:00:00]The…

Heart and Compassion Practices

Rev. Ken speaks about the issues that come along with having the news on all the time, and how sometimes it’s important to turn it off. He shares a story about a news reporter who shows emotion while reporting on a family. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we walk through a heart practice you can do at home. Rev. Ken also shares a prayer for kindness, then a lovingkindness meditation where we can practice compassion even for people we…

Cooking and Nourishing Practices

Rev. Aisha Ansano is our guest preacher this week, and she tells us about the importance and ritual surrounding family meal time when she was growing up. For this message she asks that you have a bite of food and a sip of something to drink nearby. She also invites you into the ritual of making a simple recipe along with her, such as vinaigrette or cinnamon sugar. Cooking and Nourishing Practices When I was growing up, dinner time was…

The Practice of Yoga and Embodied Movement

This week, Rev. Lee begins with telling us a story about how pandemic stress has affected some friends of hers, and how, in a moment of intense pressure, her friend as able to think “I’m alive right now and with the people I love.” The idea of “Coming Home” to your own body might not be something we think of often, but it’s an important practice. During this message, yoga instructor Gael Alba takes us through some gentle guided movement…

The Practice of Drawing and Artwork

In this week’s message, lay preacher, Chris Groppe, shares his spiritual practice of drawing. He talks a bit about his personal history with drawing, and how it’s sometimes been set aside as an activity for another time. But once he began looking at is as a means of creating a sacred space, he realized it can be used as a spiritual practice anywhere and anytime. This message provides two opportunities to draw along with Chris, so be sure to have…

The Practice of Mindfulness

Rev. Ken begins by telling us that mindfulness is about perspective. He brings up Schoolhouse Rock, and challenges the idea that a person is a noun. He believes that a person is much more of an active state of being. Mindfulness isn’t just about accessing more calm. It’s about opening up our experiences. He also gives us an invitation to participate in a short mindfulness practice. He concludes with a story about the Buddha. The Practice of Mindfulness NAMEDATEJanuary 19,…

The Practice of Generosity

Rev. Lee struggles a bit with what to say about the events at the Capitol this week. She planned to introduce the practice of generosity, but thought the message might not make sense this week. But when she thought more about it, she realized that generosity is a practice of  pushing back against toxic individualism “I’ve got mine, and you’ve got yours… good luck.” She shares with us how she began practicing generosity herself this year, now that her everyday…