JERUSALEM CROSS GARDENING...OF SOIL AND SOUL: Walking the Labyrinth

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Walking the Labyrinth - A Different Form of Prayer

Lectionary Reading............................Daily Reading

There have been discoveries and rediscoveries on this mission trip to Utah. The Episcopal Church Center where we have been staying has a labyrinth (see photo) in its' grounds and for some this has been an opportunity to experience a new form of prayer, for others a time to rediscover it.

In the photo Jane Wray and Susan Wells walk the labyrinth, journeying inward into the heart of God where inspired insight often leads to change, then journeying back out into the world, there to live life as one better able to walk with God - loved, set free, called. -- by Roger

The labyrinth is a very special and individual experience, different for each of us. My experience walking the labyrinth has been rich and sacred...an invitation to be present with my Lord. It's a time to be in special dialog, a time of deep silence, and a time to listen for the whisper of God's Words and Love.The journey inward invites me to "let go" and simply "be" as the outer path offers a blessing and sense of renewal. -- by Sue Wells

Our days here have b

een filled, with many new shared experiences for the eight of us -- Roger and the seven of us women. As we spend our days assembling bags filled with school supplies for kids in far off places, we are truly becoming a very unique "small group," a concept Roger talks about frequently. Today, while at work stuffing bags, we decided this small group needed a special name. It was an easy call: "The Preacher and the Bag Ladies!"

Today our team of eight from CUMC, along with 15 from Memphis, Tenn., filled seven pallets with school supply kits. Each pallet holds 28 boxes, each box holds 12 kits. Combined with yesterday's effort, we have added 11 pallets of school kits to the shelves of the UMCOR West depot! These kits replace a portion of the 15,000 school kits shipped from the Depot this week to the children of Gaza. -- by Jane Wray

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Community United Methodist Sacred Space (prayers and journal entries can be offered here)

Learn more about the Way of Christ (methods of prayer and take a spiritual types test)

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About Jerusalem Cross Gardening

In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

(James 1: 21. The Message)

Jerusalem Cross Gardening...of Soil and Soul

...of Soil (Pleasure)

Cilantro. Basil. Mint. Garlic. Planted in the four little crosses of my raised-bed in my potager garden, these herbs will add flavor to family dishes - think picante sauce, pesto and hummus - bringing taste and pleasure to our meals.

...and of Soul (Purpose)

But there is more. The same four little crosses reminds us of the four acts that deepen faith - acts of devotion, worship, compassion and justice - flavoring the pleasures of life with divine intention.

Just as the herbs flavor our meals, regular engagement of the four acts help flavor our witness to the way of Christ in the world, bringing purpose (Bread of Heaven) to pleasure (bread of the earth) and a holy spice to lives God uses to "landscape" the world.

Jerusalem-Cross-Gardening for Small Groups:

To spice up your life, consider joining a weekly small group. Meet regularly with friends for contemplation, reading scripture, and fellowship. Allow the Word to landscape your life. Share how you have "witnessed to Jesus Christ in the world through the acts of devotion, worship, compassion and justice under the guidance of the Holy Spirit" each week as a way of mutually encouraging one another in your spiritual walk.

We're all invited to the divine dance. Join the journey. Jerusalem-Cross-Gardening-of-soil-and-soul invites us onto the "Trinity-mapped" playground of God where Christ plays in creation (Father), history (Jesus) and community (Holy Spirit). (Eugene Peterson).