 Susan's Book Recommendation Etty Hissesun - A Life Transformed, by Patrick Woodhouse This book explores the diary writings of a 27-year old Dutch Jewish woman in enemy occupied Amsterdam, under Nazi control, beginning in 1941. Over the course of two and a half years - we gain insight into her transformed understanding of chaos, suffering and a learned spirituality of hope in the darkest period of the Twentieth Century. For years, I have gone back to this book to help gain perspective on how I might see life's tragic aspects with a deeper, mystical confidence. Perhaps the reason I was initially attracted to read this book - is that its Forward was written by the then, Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Don't miss her chapter on "Refusing to Hate."  Nick's Book Recommendation
Rowan Williams - Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer Published in 2014, the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, reflects on the fundamental aspects of our faith that have remained constant throughout our common life together. In these short erudite talks, Williams offers readers four pastoral meditations on what he considers are the basic elements of our tradition in a wonderfully thought-provoking and accessible style. As we pray for those amongst us who are readying themselves for the sacramental rites of Confirmation, Reaffirmation, and Reception it might also be a good time for us to revisit and reflect on the core elements of what Being Christian encompasses. I hope you'll join me and I look forward to our conversations.  There’s no great mystery to Ignatian prayer, but this week is a good time to review. If you want to pray in the Ignatian way, here are three ways to do it—not an exhaustive list but a good start.
1. Do the Examen. At the end of the day, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your memory over the day’s events and conversations. Give thanks for the blessings of the day. Ask God’s forgiveness if you have wandered from Jesus’ path of truth, compassion, and kindness. Ask God’s help with any negative patterns you see in your life, or for strength and wisdom to deal with upcoming events or issues. You can do this prayer once a day, twice a day, three times a day; the important thing is to develop a pattern that’s best for you. For more about the Examen – go to the Ignatian Spirituality website: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/ 2. Put yourself in a Gospel story. Just choose which character you’re going to be, and walk right into the scene where Jesus heals someone, delivers a teaching, or feeds thousands. You can be a main character in the story, or you can be a bystander or friend that you simply invent for this prayer. Don’t get distracted by trying to be historically accurate—this is not about you interpreting Scripture in a scholarly way. The point is to encounter Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide this very spiritual function, the human imagination, to where you need to go. 3. Pray as though you are having a conversation across the dinner table or in your living room. In the Spiritual Exercises, this is called a colloquy, but it’s just conversational prayer. You speak to Jesus as you would a close friend. You speak to Mary, his mother, or to God the Father/Creator, or to the Holy Spirit who is comforter, or to one of the saints, who can be part of this conversation with the Divine. Sometimes, when we pray the way we talk, it can enable us to be more honest. Probably the only danger is that we become flippant or casual, but this isn’t much of a temptation when we remember who it is we’re talking to. by Vinita Hampton Wright  The Modified Burning Man Blessing
(used at our worship service) By The Very Rev. Brian Baker (modified by Susan…+) May your eyes be so blessed that you see God in everyone Your lips - so you speak nothing but the truth & Your ears - so that you hear the cry of the poor May your hands be so blessed that everything you touch becomes a sacrament Your feet - so that you run to those who need you, And may your heart be so opened, So set on fire That your love Changes everything. In the name of the Father & the Son & the Holy Spirit. Amen The Original Blessing used by Brian as his “gift” at Burning Man 2015 The world now is too dangerous And too beautiful For anything but love. Love is a blessing. So may your eyes be so blessed that you see God in everyone Your lips - so you speak nothing but the truth Your ears - so that you hear the cry of the poor May your hands be so blessed that everything you touch becomes a sacrament Your feet - so that you run to those who need you And may your heart be so opened So set on fire That your love Your love Changes everything. Amen. Susan’s Book Recommendation:
Living Faithfully as a Prayer Book People by John Westerhoff With our Faith Forums starting up again this month – and especially as we turn again to discussing the foundations of our faith in preparation for Confirmations, Receptions & Reaffirmations – I’d like to use this fabulous book as our source for discussion. Westerhoff is a trusted teacher, Episcopal priest and former theology professor at the Duke Divinity School. For those who are curious about enriching their faith, and desire more clarity on how the Episcopal way of worship is centered around our Prayer Book – this is a great book! Even from the beginning – Westerhoff helps us understand that we humans are relational, communal persons, and that while our life of faith is profoundly personal, it is also essential for us to be a part of a community of faith to flourish as a Christian. He says “Christianity is an incarnational embodied faith. Our personal relationship with God is kept healthy in so far as we regularly participate in communal worship.” His 10 chapters give us an overview of what it means to be formed by our prayers and the stories of Scripture, but it also offers wonderful insights into the sacraments, living a healthy life, and even how we might die a holy death. Before going to seminary – I devoured this book, marked every page, and refer to it still. Nick’s Book recommendation: Children’s Spirituality: What it is and Why it Matters by Rebecca Nye. Published in 2009, Nye’s book is essential reading for those who long for children to have a deeper experience of the Christian faith. As we approach the beginning of another program year, Nye’s words will reinforce St. Christopher’s vision of providing a nurturing environment which affirms early spiritual development. Nye’s point, however, is that this effort is not only critical to the mission of the Church but inextricably linked with the health of our own adult spirituality. She purposes that, “Being able to connect with and draw on our own childlike spiritual qualities is clearly at the heart of Christian spiritual growth – to enter the kingdom of heaven each of us must become like a child. So this book may also help you to reflect on how your spirituality was cherished (or neglected) as a child, and the effect that’s had on your faith journey.” (p. xiii) I wonder what you’ll draw from this deep work?
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