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Forgiveness Prayer
I draw upon the creative, Divine Spirit within me, a Spirit of strength and new possibilities, and I forgive anyone who has hurt, upset or offended me, anyone who has damaged my reputation, anyone who has caused me grief or pain. I draw upon the creative, Divine Spirit within me, a Spirit of peace and graciousness, and I desire to be thoughtful of others, to do and to wish no one any hurt. I draw upon the creative, Divine Spirit within me, a Spirit of healing and compassion and I ask for a deeper awareness of this Spirit in myself and others, in our fragility, in our weaknesses, and in our common desire to give the best human expression we can to this Spirit in our living and loving. By Michael Morwood. |
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The Appreciative Way
The appreciative way paradigm is a blend of Appreciative Inquiry and Contemplative Spirituality which focuses on what is working; studies the root causes of success; identifies and builds on strengths; discovers how people and communities make a difference; inquires into what people value, and encourages people to do what they love and live on purpose. Appreciative Way Paradigm: Search for solutions that already exist Amplify what is working Focus on life giving forces What is working well around here? Learning from what works Who is to affirm? Basic Assumption: The Church and people are a mystery to be embraced. ~Adapted from Sue Hammond At Alberni Valley United Church, we use the Pinch-Crunch Model of Conflict Resolution to help us build collaboration and cooperation, and to focus on shared values and shared goals. |
Lectio Divina: A Spiritual Practice
Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of listening and praying with the Biblical story in which you discover its connections to your life now. Listening is the art of connecting more deeply with yourself, God, and others. There is a blessing in listening to of how others in the group are making their own connections with the Holy.
First Reading: Listening for what catches your attention
The first movement of lectio is to listen to the reading of scripture. Listen for a word or phrase which catches your attention, a word or a phrase which you are drawn to, or stands out for you more than the rest of the text. What word catches your attention? Please share around the circle* and invite the next person to your right to share.
Second Reading: Listening for connections
The second movement of lectio is discovering how the word or phrase unfolds in your imagination, listening for what images, feelings, and memories are stirring . What connections are occurring for you? A question relating to the particular bible passage may also be asked. For example if the passage were Isaiah 65: 17-25( The Lion and Lamb lie down together) This questions might be asked: How does this vision challenge our society?
Third Reading: Listening for an Invitation
The third movement of lectio is responding to what has been rising up within us, and listening for the invitation from God. This invitation may be a call toward a new awareness, connection or action. What does God invite you to do, be or change ?
Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of listening and praying with the Biblical story in which you discover its connections to your life now. Listening is the art of connecting more deeply with yourself, God, and others. There is a blessing in listening to of how others in the group are making their own connections with the Holy.
First Reading: Listening for what catches your attention
The first movement of lectio is to listen to the reading of scripture. Listen for a word or phrase which catches your attention, a word or a phrase which you are drawn to, or stands out for you more than the rest of the text. What word catches your attention? Please share around the circle* and invite the next person to your right to share.
Second Reading: Listening for connections
The second movement of lectio is discovering how the word or phrase unfolds in your imagination, listening for what images, feelings, and memories are stirring . What connections are occurring for you? A question relating to the particular bible passage may also be asked. For example if the passage were Isaiah 65: 17-25( The Lion and Lamb lie down together) This questions might be asked: How does this vision challenge our society?
Third Reading: Listening for an Invitation
The third movement of lectio is responding to what has been rising up within us, and listening for the invitation from God. This invitation may be a call toward a new awareness, connection or action. What does God invite you to do, be or change ?
Prayer of St. Thomas Merton
God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me. Nor do I really know myself.
And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
Does in fact please you.
And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always
Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death
I will not fear for you are ever with me.
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.
Amen
God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me. Nor do I really know myself.
And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
Does in fact please you.
And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always
Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death
I will not fear for you are ever with me.
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.
Amen
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Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and empathy, and is now using that work to explore a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness.
She poses the questions:
Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html Bible verse link: Proverbs 14:30 Peace of mind means a healthy body. |