Online Worship & Prayer

How can we continue to deepen our spiritual lives and connectedness in the midst of a pandemic?

It’s been several months since we were last together. Yet, our desire to remain connected stays strong. The need to engage in spiritual practices is maybe more important than ever before in our lives. There is so much going on in the world that we cannot control and perhaps change is not happening on the timeline we had hoped for. Many of us are isolated and it can be easy to slip into the grips of worry. As Christians, our toolbox is full of practices to combat the struggles that arise from complex circumstances such as the pandemic in which we now find ourselves. Our common tradition is filled with practices that are grounding and which help us to feel connected to each other and to the wider church. In this booklet we explore a handful of spiritual practices and opportunities for compassionate service, in- person fellowship, and digital learning and connection. You are invited to experiment with the practices and opportunities described in this booklet. Pick them up when you feel called to and approach them playfully. We pray that it may help you to feel connected in a deep and meaningful way with our parish, each other, and God. You cannot will and hope for a connection with God and others. However, you can actively practice one.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES 3 OUTREACH AND CARING OPPORTUNITIES 5 WEEKLY WORSHIP AND PRAYER 6 DIGITAL PRAYER RESOURCES 6 SMALL GROUP SPIRITUAL FORMATION OPPORTUNTIES 7 DIOCESE OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS 8 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES 9 PRAYER FOR THOSE OVERWHELMED BY TOO MUCH INFORMATION 17 BOOK LIST 18 WAY OF LOVE IN AN ELECTION SEASON 19 FALL IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES AND FELLOWSHIP 20

A separate document has been created for children and their families and can be found on our website and in the Midweek.

*Special thanks to the Center for Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary and Build Faith for the prayer resources and ideas.*

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

First things first: how is it with your soul? If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious, you are not alone. Nor, are you doing anything “wrong.” If you’re wondering why you can’t “just snap out of it,” it’s because we’re in a freaking pandemic. Remember that your only goal is to survive—not learn how to make sourdough bread. Having a hard time is nothing for which you should feel ashamed. You are human.

We’ve curated a list of mental health resources to support you during this time. If you aren’t sure where to start or would like a list of recommended psychotherapists, give Mother Maria a call. **Please note that this information is not intended to serve as a substitute for licensed & professional medical advice or psychotherapy. **

THINGS TO REMEMBER1,2 1) Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. This includes social media. 2) Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. 3) Exercise regularly. Start small and build up. 4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is not an indulgence. It’s necessary. 5) Make time to unwind. 6) Connect with others. 7) Maintain daily habits, such as making your bed, getting dressed, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

PHONE SUPPORT Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) 24-Hour Text Crisis Line: text HELLO to 741741 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522 (https://www.thehotline.org)

ONLINE MEETINGS Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa-intergroup.org/directory.php In the Rooms Global Recovery Community: https://www.intherooms.com/home/covid-19-resources/

WEBSITES Carson’s Village: https://carsonsvillage.org Grief Share: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup Mental Health America: https://screening.mhanational.org National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/home Spirit Works Foundation for the Soul: https://www.spiritworksfoundation.org

1 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html. 2 https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/NAMI-HelpLine/COVID-19-Information-and-Resources/COVID-19-Resource-and-Information-Guide

3 PODCASTS Hilarious World of Depression: https://www.hilariousworld.org Mental Illness Happy Hour: https://www.mentalpod.com Mother Recovering: https://motherrecovering.com A Sober Girl’s Guide: https://asobergirlsguide.com/podcast That Sober Guy: http://www.thatsoberguy.com/podcast Therapy for Black Girls: https://therapyforblackgirls.com

APPS (available in your smart phone or tablet’s App store) 7 Cups Stress and Anxiety Chat (Anxiety) AA Big Book (Substance Abuse Disorder Support) Calm (Mindfulness and Meditation) Digipill (Mental Health for Sleep) FOCUS On The Go! (Mental Health for Younger Children) For Me, free (Mental Health for Tweens and Teens) Grief Support Network App (Mental Health App for Grief) Moodpath (Depression and anxiety) myPlan app (Mental Health App for Domestic Violence) Pride Counseling (Mental Health for LGBTQ+) Recovery Path for Addiction (substance use disorder) Recovery Record (Mental Health App for Eating Disorders) Rootd (Panic Attack & Anxiety Relief) Shine (Mental Health for BIPOC) Wellframe (Mental Health for Seniors) Simple DBT Skills Diary Card (Mental Health) Sober Time (Substance Abuse Disorder Support) WellTrack (Mental Health App for Students)

WAYS TO CONNECT, CARE, and SERVE

COMMUNITY PRAYER CHAIN Beginning September 6, there will be a basket of ribbons and markers by the main entrance to building. Write down something for which you would like prayer and tie it to the chain fence outlining the cemetery (closest to the basement) or the tree in the Blue Star/Joe Pinkney Memorial Garden. As you tie on your ribbon of prayer, be sure to walk by and pray for the others there. Sanitizing wipes will be available.

POSTCARD PRAYERS Wonder why there are blank postcards in your packet? Pick someone in the parish— preferably someone you don’t know—and send them a note. Let them know what you are up to and offer to hold them in your prayers the week that you mail their card. Email or call the office if you need a copy of the directory.

COMPUTER HELP If you’re having trouble logging onto Zoom or Facebook Live or facing any other computer difficulties, wardens Tom Gryn ([email protected]; 240-346-5341) and Sewell Truitte ([email protected]; 703-929-8920) can help. Send them an email or give them a call and they will call or come over (masked, healthy, and gloved) and check out the problem and walk you through the process. We also have a small number of tablets for those who do not have one and would like to join us online for worship, Morning Prayer, or Compline.

EVA TURNER ELEMENTARY WEEKEND BACKPACKS We will begin our weekly packing and distribution of weekend backpacks of food our partner school Eva Turner Elementary later this month. If you are healthy and interested in helping to pack or distribute the bags one week, please email or call Yvonne Mattison: [email protected] or Mother Maria. We will host a food drive later this fall.

SAFE NIGHTS Although the pandemic limits us from hosting Safe Nights at the church, the Vestry is strong and unanimous in its agreement that it’s important to do everything we can to care for our most vulnerable neighbors. It’s what Jesus calls us to do. Accordingly, we will be hosting at least 20 families—ideally more—at a local hotel for at least one week this year, which is one of the options afforded to churches unable to serve as physical hosts. However, we will have to reallocate funds from other outreach ministries to do this. If you are in a financial position to do so, please consider making a special donation to support our efforts. If you write a check, please put “Safe Nights” on the Memo line. You can also donate online. Click “Safe Nights” in the dropdown menu: https://onrealm.org/stpaulswaldorf/give/now If you would like to help make sack lunches for our “host week,” please contact Debbie Brown: [email protected]/ 301-848-0380. Thank you in advance.

5 ONLINE WORSHIP & PRAYER NEW MEETING IDS AND LINKS FOR THE FALL

SUNDAYS Please email us for the Zoom link or join us on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/stpaulspiney

WEDNESDAYS Please email us for the Zoom link or join us on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/stpaulspiney Our Scripture readings each week will come from the book of Philippians

FRIDAYS Please email us for the Zoom link or join us on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/stpaulspiney

DIGITAL PRAYER RESOURCES D365 (www.d365.org) App and website of short, guided prayer, reading, reflection, and actionable steps. Forward Day by Daily Devotion (www.prayer.forwardmovement.org) Daily podcast and website with 3-5 minutes reflections on a different Scripture. Grow Christians (www.growchristians.org) Articles, reflections, and ideas for practicing faith at home Northumbria Daily Prayer (www.northumbriacommunity.org) Short liturgies for Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline On Being (www.onbeing.org) Articles, podcasts, and reflections on spirituality and life Pray-As-You-Go (www.pray-as-you-go.org) A short daily act of prayer and worship that uses music and pictures to help you pray and reflect on Scripture. Also includes seasonal meditations.

SMALL GROUP SPIRITUAL FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

SACRED GROUND As part of the Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society, you are invited to participate in a one-of-kind transformative small group called Sacred Ground. Sacred Ground is a 10-part series built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love. This is not only an opportunity to learn something but to begin to do something as well.

To be a part of this crucial and life-changing formation opportunity please contact Cami Caudill ([email protected]) or Paula Truitte ([email protected]) . Each Sacred Group circle will meet on Zoom be limited to 10 participants.

A FRESH APPROACH TO THE NEW TESTATMENT Tuesdays, September 15-October 27, 7:00-7:45 p.m. Join us in examining when and how the good news about Jesus Christ spread through the known world of the 1st – 3rd centuries. The canonical New Testament starts with the four Gospels, then Acts and the Letters, but that’s not how the Word spread originally. As we look at the chronological order, we can gain fresh insights into the world in which the Apostles and new converts lived and the Word they spread. Develop a more informed understanding of the Scripture that is so close to your hearts and lives. Our guide will be Marcus Morg’s Evolution of the World. You are not required to purchase the book and there is no homework in between the sessions. Contact Diane Coon with questions ([email protected]).

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84538842704 Call in: (301) 715-8592; ID: 8453 8842 704

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION ONLINE OFFERINGS The mission of the School for Christian Faith and Leadership is to inspire, equip, and empower the people of God, both lay and ordained, to grow as faithful followers of Jesus in daily life and as leaders of faith communities. Here is a sampling of their fall options. To see the entire list, to learn more and register, visit: https://www.edow.org/leadership-discipleship

YOGA & PRAYER Fridays, beginning September 18, 6:30 p.m. Gather weekly (via Zoom) to center and ground ourselves with simple yoga and prayer. We explore ancient psalms and contemporary poetry that resonate in today’s world. The class is led from candlelit St. Thomas' Parish DuPont Circle. All students, regardless of experience or ability, are welcome to share in the movements of the body and spirit. Roll out your mats and sign onto Yoga and Prayer online.

EVANGELISM: THE SACRED ART OF SHARING STORY Mondays, October 5-November 9, 7:00 pm - 8:30 p.m. Come and see.” “Go and tell.” God’s love is spread through people sharing their stories. Using the tools of the Episcopal Church’s Embracing Evangelism program, this course will help tune our awareness of God’s activity in and around us; tone our ability to deeply listen to the stories of others; and develop an ease with spiritual conversations.

VISIONS OF HEALING: MIRRORS OF HOPE Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Heal from personal brokenness through using the shape of a psalm of lament to complain to God in faith. Find healing through the development of healthy relationships with God and others.

VISIONS OF HEALING: REFLECTIONS OF GRACE Oct. 31, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Find healing from personal brokenness by focusing upon building healthy relationships with each other. Using Imago Relationship Theory, participants are guided through a process that creates interpersonal empathy and understanding.

VISIONS OF HEALING: IMAGES OF LOVE Nov. 21, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Find healing from personal brokenness by focusing upon establishing a healthy relationship with self. Using various communication techniques, participants develop self-portraits as reflected through spiritual autobiography, life history, and an exploration of personal purpose.

LECTIO DIVINA3,4 Let us ruminate, and, as it were, chew the cud, that we may have the sweet juice, spiritual effect, marrow, honey, kernel, taste, comfort and consolation of them. — Thomas Cranmer

Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates back to the early centuries of the Christian church and was established as a monastic practice by Benedict in the sixth century. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s word. We slow down. We read a short passage more than once. We chew it over slowly and carefully in order to savor it. Scripture begins to speak to us in a new way. It speaks to us personally and aids that union we have with God through Christ who is the Living Word. Lectio is not Bible study or even an alternative to Bible study but something radically different. It operates on the emotional rather than the cerebral level. It is perhaps “hearty” rather than “heady.” Through it we allow ourselves to be formed in the likeness of Christ; it is about formation rather than instruction.

Prepare As you enter into lectio, find a comfortable seat and consider lighting a candle as a gentle reminder that you are in a prayerful space. For several minutes, allow yourself to begin to breathe slowly and deeply. As you settle into silence, quietly ask God to speak to you through the passage that you are about to read. Lectio As you read the passage for the first time listen for a word or phrase that attracts you. Allow it to arise from the passage as if it is God’s word for you today. You may want to sit in silence for several minutes listening for that word or phrase. When you have heard it, sit in silence for a while longer, repeating the word or phrase in your head. Then, say the word or phrase aloud. Meditatio As you read the passage a second time, spend several minutes pondering how this word or phrase speaks to your life and why it has connected with you. Ask where God may be nudging you. Sit in silence for a time and then frame a single sentence that begins to say aloud what this word or phrase says to you. Oratio As you read the passage a third time, ask what Christ is calling from you. What is it that you need to do or consider or relinquish or take on as a result of what God is saying to you in this word or phrase? Sit in silence for several minutes and then speak your response aloud as a prayer, asking God to lead you into that response. Contemplatio After you read the passage for the last time, spend some time with God in silent, wordless contemplation. Open your heart and mind to God’s presence, returning to God whatever you have

3 https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/253799/1-What-is-Lectio-Divina.pdf 4 https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide

9 discovered through lectio. Rather than putting this into words, allow the presence of God as Christ the Incarnate Word to refresh you. CENTERING PRAYER5 Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with God. Anyone can start practicing Centering Prayer at any time. These suggestions from Thomas Keating are designed to deepen and enrich the experience. If twenty minutes is too long for you, start with five. If five minutes is too long, try starting with three. Choose a sacred word. • The sacred word expresses our intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. • Use a word of one or two syllables, such as: God, Jesus, Abba, Father, Mother, Mary, Amen. Other possibilities include: Love, Listen, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, Stillness, Faith, Trust. • Instead of a sacred word, a simple inward glance toward the Divine Presence, or noticing one’s breath may be more suitable for some persons. The same guidelines apply to these symbols as to the sacred word. • The sacred word is sacred not because of its inherent meaning, but because of the meaning we give it as the expression of our intention to consent. • Having chosen a sacred word, do not change it during the prayer period. Settle into silence. • Find a relatively comfortable seat so as not to encourage sleep during the time of prayer. Whatever sitting position we choose, we keep the back straight. • We close our eyes as a symbol of letting go of what is going on around and within us. • We introduce the sacred word inwardly. When engaged, gently return. 1. When engaged with your thoughts, gently return to the sacred word. 2. “Thoughts” is an umbrella term for every perception, including body sensations, sense perceptions, feelings, images, memories, plans, reflections, concepts, and spiritual experiences. 3. By “returning ever-so-gently to the sacred word” a minimum of effort is indicated. This is the only activity we initiate during the time of Centering Prayer. 4. During the course of Centering Prayer, the sacred word may become vague or disappear. End the prayer. • At the end of the prayer period remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. • The additional two minutes enables us to bring the atmosphere of silence into everyday life. • If this prayer is done in a group, the leader may slowly recite a prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer, while the others listen.

5 https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/method_cp_eng-2016-06_0.pdf

IGNATIAN EXAMEN6

The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern God’s direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience. The method presented here is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius thought that the Examen was a gift that came directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible. One of the few rules of prayer that Ignatius made for the Jesuit order was the requirement that Jesuits practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It’s a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day. Become aware of God’s presence. Look back on the events of the day in the company of the Holy Spirit. The day may seem confusing to you—a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding. Review the day with gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things—the food you ate, the sights you saw, and other seemingly small pleasures. God is in the details. Pay attention to your emotions. One of St. Ignatius’s great insights was that we detect the presence of the Spirit of God in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings? God will most likely show you some ways that you fell short. But look deeply for other implications. Does a feeling of frustration perhaps mean that God wants you consider a new direction in some area of your work? Are you concerned about a friend? Perhaps you should reach out to her in some way. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the day that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling—positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude. Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask God for help and understanding. Pray for hope. End the prayer. St. Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Daily Examen with a conversation with Jesus. Ask forgiveness for your sins. Ask for his protection and help. Ask for his wisdom about the questions

6 https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/

11 you have and the problems you face. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, and it is adorned with gifts from God. End the Daily Examen with the Our Father.

ANGLICAN ROSARY7 The practice of praying with beads for Christians is believed to originate with the Desert Fathers around the 3rd and early 4th centuries where they carried pebbles in a pouch for counting prayer. These pebbles eventually became beads and were strung on cord. Over the years the beads have transformed and changed to various styles and types depending on the religious group or personal need. In the 1980's a group of Episcopal parishioners were contemplating the use of an ancient practice of praying with beads and they developed the simplified Anglican prayer beads. Prayer beads and rosaries have remained an important part of spiritual practice providing aid in meditation and prayer. Beads can be ordered on Amazon or by googling “Anglican prayer beads.” The simple act of using Anglican Prayer Beads can deepen and transform our devotions into a richer spiritual experience. Praying with beads provides a tactile way to slow down our busy lives, becoming more focused in the moment while meditating upon our prayers. A rosary helps us take the time to notice what we are doing, feeling and thinking at the time we are actually doing, feeling and thinking it by slowing down these processes bead by bead, or one prayer at a time. God is part of our everyday lives, paying attention to God and focusing on God’s kingdom is a fundamental practice of Christian mindfulness. Anglican prayer beads are composed of a cross and 33 beads, 5 large and 28 small beads. Thirty-two of the beads form a circle, with one large bead and the cross outside the circle. The thirty-three beads remind us of the number of years of Jesus' life on earth before his ascension to heaven. Using Anglican prayer beads is fairly simple, and flexible, you may design a prayer routine of your own choosing with this type of rosary. There are no set or assigned prayers, the choice is yours. Many formulated Anglican rosary prayers are pieced together from the Bible scriptures. You may choose to pray through each and every bead or maybe you prefer to simply hold the beads in your hands while you pray.

Praying with the Rosary When praying with the beads, begin with the cross. Hold the cross in one hand and acknowledge God's presence while saying your opening prayer. Next, move to the invitatory bead and say your chosen prayer. Some prayer beads include an additional small bead just above the invitatory, this is often referred to as the Resurrection bead and signifies a reminder that Christ lives on. Move your fingers up to the cruciform bead above the Invitatory bead and say your chosen prayer. On this bead and the three similar it is common to repeat a verse from Scripture. Move your fingers up to the first set of beads to the right (you will be praying in a counterclockwise direction). Grasp the first bead and say your chosen prayer. Repeat this prayer on the next six beads if desired. Move your fingers to the next cruciform bead and say your chosen cruciform prayer. Continue with your prayers around the circle.

7 https://www.unspokenelements.com/pages/how-to-use-anglican-prayer-beads

THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION8 Theological Reflection is a way of exploring the deeper meaning of something and looking for the presence of God there. It is something many people practice intuitively for many years. This way of reflecting can begin with almost anything – a poem, a song, a passage of scripture, a scene from a movie, a long-held belief, a bit of homespun wisdom, or simply an experience that left you perplexed or frustrated. What I find most meaningful about the practice of theological reflection is discovering the deeper meaning of the day-to-day experiences of my life. As we begin to see our lives more and more through the lens of our faith story, this story then becomes a living story and our faith comes alive in surprising and inspiring ways. So, how does one practice this spiritual exercise called Theological Reflection? Focusing It starts with selecting a focus, something to reflect on. For folks who are new to theological reflection, I invite you to start with some experience from your day-to-day life . . . an encounter at the grocery store that gave you pause, a troubling interaction on Facebook, or some encounter with nature that filled you with wonder. What feelings and thoughts did it spark? Where was the energy or emotion strongest for you? It might help to come up with an image or metaphor that captures the emotion of your focus by getting artistic with it and actually drawing or coloring the image or metaphor. Exploring The next step is to explore this focus or image theologically, using words from our faith tradition, like creation (original goodness or wholeness), sin (brokenness or alienation), judgment (recognition), repentance (reorientation), and redemption(restoration). Some theological questions I like to ask of any image or metaphor are: What does this image tell me about God? What does it tell me about being human? What does it tell be about the relationship between God and humanity? Where is God in this? Connecting Once we have explored our image theologically, it is time for step three, connecting with the four sources of wisdom. This is where we are invited to listen for wise voices from our faith tradition, our culture, our own experience, and our deeply held beliefs and opinions. We might ask ourselves if this image reminds us of a particular passage of scripture, a hymn, a favorite part of the liturgy, or some writings by Christians throughout history. If so, take the time to look them up and consider how they inform the image you have chosen. In the same way we might ask ourselves if the image reminds us of something from popular culture – a song, movie, book, or memorable words from a respected or famous person. Does the image bring to mind some past or present incident in your life? Has this reflection on the image caused you to re-examine your beliefs or opinions? The purpose here is to intentionally bring these voices of wisdom into the conversation so that through them, God might speak to you and your topic of reflection in unexpected but helpful ways. This is often the point where an epiphany might happen – an unexpected insight that seems revelatory. Applying The last step of the process is application to one’s life. The question now becomes, “How is this reflection inviting me to live my life differently?”

8 https://efm.sewanee.edu 13

INDIVIDUAL PRAYER WALK9 Before you begin, take a moment to center yourself and invite the Holy Spirit of God to accompany you, guiding your steps, your thoughts, and your words.

Opening Prayer May I walk this day in the realm of grace, walking with you my feet firmly on your earth-path, my heart loving all as kindred, my words and deeds alive with justice. May I walk as blessing, meeting blessing at every turn in every challenge, blessing, in all opposition, blessing, in harm’s way, blessing. May I walk each step in this moment of grace, alert to hear you and awake enough to say a simple Yes. (Robert Corin Morris—taken from caminodesantiago.me)

As you step out of your home recite the following psalm Psalm 42 1 As the deer longs for the water-brooks, * so longs my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; * when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, * while all day long they say to me, “Where now is your God?” 4 I pour out my soul when I think on these things; *how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God, 5 With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, * among those who keep holy day. 6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? * and why are you so disquieted within me? 7 Put your trust in God; * for I will yet give thanks to the Holy One, who is the help of my countenance, and my God. 8 My soul is heavy within me; * therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon. 9 One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; * all your rapids and floods have gone over me. 10 You grant me loving-kindness in the daytime; * in the night season your song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. 11 I will say to the God of my strength, "Why have you forgotten me? * and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?" 12 While my bones are being broken, * my enemies mock me to my face; 13 All day long they mock me * and say to me, "Where now is your God?" 14 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? * and why are you so disquieted within me? 15 Put your trust in God; * for I will yet give thanks to the Lord, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Begin to walk around your neighborhood stopping along the way. The following prayers are for use as you encounter the following places. Pray for other places not listed as you are so moved.

9 https://www.stmichaelsarlington.org/uploads/files/individual-prayer-walk_866.pdf

At a neighbor’s home O God of compassion, you commanded us to love our neighbors, both near and far. I commend my neighbor (insert name, if known) to your care this day. Grant me concern for all those I encounter, that I may create here a community of justice, care, and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer at a store or shop Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor. Strengthen those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 259, for commerce and for the unemployed)

Prayer at a school O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities especially all teachers and students that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Schools) Prayer at a fire station, hospital, or police station O Creator of all, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy. Protect all emergency responders who take risks bringing people to safety in dangerous situations; for the love of the one who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer at the home of a known sick person or at a healthcare facility Almighty God, giver of life and health: Send your blessing on all who are sick, and upon those who minister to them, that all weakness may be vanquished by the triumph of the risen Christ; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer for those who are homeless or at a homeless shelter God of compassion, your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus, whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross: we hold before you those who are homeless and cold especially in this bitter weather. Draw near and comfort them in spirit and bless those who work to provide them with shelter, food and friendship. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. (From the Church of England) Concluding Prayers O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 394) May the God of hope fill me with every joy in believing. May the peace of Christ abound in my heart. May I be enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

15 DAILY OFFICE10 The Daily Office is an ancient practice that uses daily prayers to mark the times of the day. “The idea of some set form of Office...is based on a realistic assessment of human beings and of our prayer potential... The Office is a form of prayer which is independent of our feelings, though, of course it is often accompanied by, and arouses, deep feelings and emotion.” Kenneth Leech, True Prayer, p. 187-188. The Purpose of the Daily Office is twofold. First, it is a sanctification of time, a reminder that all time is sacred since all time belongs to God. Second it is a sanctification of the individual – a way to draw a person closer to God. The Daily Office allows you to join your prayers with those of fellow Christians. This is a vitally important aspect with several corollaries. While individual faith and relationship with God are of vital importance, we are part of the larger body of Christ. That's why the language of the office is usually first-person plural, "we" not "I." If it feels strange to pray "we" by yourself, remember that you are praying in union with countless other Christians around the world. Your daily prayers join with those of others in other time zones to weave a continuous tapestry of prayer and praise to God, one that never ceases.

How to Pray the Daily Office • Set your space. Get out your Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and a Bible. (If you don’t have one, let the office know. We have several old ones we can give to you.) Perhaps light a candle or set a home altar with religious symbols, a cross or icon. If you don’t have a BCP, let us know. We’ll send you one. • Find and mark the readings appointed for the day in your Bible. An outline of the Daily Office Lectionary can be found on page 934 of the BCP. We are in Year 2. • Look through the office. select, and mark the prayers or other portions you will opt to read when the rubric requires a choice. • Begin and end with at least 30 seconds of silence: use to focus thoughts on praise of God • Speak office aloud in a reverent but not overly slow way. • Develop your own personal piety and a system of prayer positions including sitting, standing, and kneeling for different portions of the office.

As You Practice • Pray as you can, not as you can't. Find a pattern and rhythm that works for you, one size does not necessarily fit all. Some prefer contemporary language, some traditional. Some find it easier to pray in the morning or evening. • Seek to pray whether you feel like it or not. Some days you just won't feel like praying. And it is on these days that the fixed pattern of the Office is most helpful. • Be kind and forgiving with yourself—the Daily Office is all about marinating yourself in prayer, scripture and worship—it's not about saying exactly the right number of prayers or trying to be a "Super" Christian. • If for some reason you get off track, don't try to play "catch up." Simply jump back in the stream and continue on. Morning Prayer begins on p. 79. Noonday Prayer begins on p. 103. Evening Prayer begins on p. 115. Compline begins on p. 127. Shortened versions for each of these services begins on p. 136.

10 https://www.stjohns-hingham.org/praying-the-daily-office

A LITURGY FOR THOSE FLOODED BY TOO MUCH INFORMATION11 In a world so wired and interconnected, our anxious hearts are pummeled by an endless barrage of troubling news. We are daily aware of more grief, O Lord, than we can rightly consider, of more suffering and scandal than we can respond to, of more hostility, hatred, horror, and injustice than we can engage with compassion.

But you, O Jesus, are not disquieted by such news of cruelty and terror and war. You are neither anxious nor overwhelmed. You carried the full weight of the suffering of a broken world when you hung upon the cross, and you carry it still.

When the cacophony of universal distress unsettles us, remind us that we are but small and finite creatures, Never designed to carry the vast abstractions of great burdens, for our arms are too short and our strength is too small. Justice and mercy, healing and redemption, are your great labors. And yes, it is your good pleasure to accomplish such works through your people, but you have never asked any one of us to undertake more than your grace will enable us to refill. Guard us them from shutting down our empathy or walling off our hearts because of the glut of unactionable misery that floods our awareness. You have any children in many places around this globe. Move each of our hearts to compassionately respond to those needs that intersect our actual lives, that in all places your body might be actively addressing the pain and brokenness of this world, each of us liberated and empowered by your Spirit to fulfill the small part of your redemptive work assigned to us. Give us discernment In the face of troubling news reports. Give us discernment to know when to pray when to speak out, when to act, and when to simply shut off our screens and our devices and to sit quietly in your presence, casting the burdens of this world upon the strong shoulders of the one who alone is able to bear them up. Amen.

11 Douglas McKelvey, Every Moment Holy (Nashville: Rabbit Room Press, 2017) 17 BOOK LIST If you are looking for ways to continue your own spiritual and relational growth during this time we commend to you the following books.

With Sighs Too Deep for Words: Grace and Depression - A. Robert Hirschfeld Christians often feel that their experience of depression or mental illness is synonymous with a deficit faith. That couldn’t be further from the truth. This book, with its prayers and practical suggestions for spiritual and creative practices and resilience, can be a companion for those who suffer so that they may know more deeply the resilient love of Jesus. Author Rob Hirschfeld has quietly and secretly been in treatment for depression for decades and now shares his own experience publicly.

How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How an Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers—and Why That's Great News – Peter Enns For many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. But the Bible is not static, Peter Enns argues. Rather, it’s a dynamic instrument for study that not only offers an abundance of insights but provokes us to find our own answers to spiritual questions, cultivating God’s wisdom within us. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that “being right” is the most important measure of faith, Enns helps us to focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God— which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.

Beyond Loneliness: The Gift of God's Friendship - by Trevor Hudson Loneliness touches everyone, whether they are young or old, rich or poor. It can be one of the most painful experiences of life. People long for relationship with others, but what may surprise them is that God actually longs to be friends with them. In Beyond Loneliness, Hudson provides guidance for building a friendship with God. Ten chapters help readers discover how to get to know God and deepen their friendship with God.

A Hidden Wholeness - Parker Palmer In A Hidden Wholeness Parker Palmer speaks to our yearning to live undivided lives―lives that are congruent with our inner truth―in a world filled with the forces of fragmentation. Mapping an inner journey that we take in solitude and in the company of others, Palmer describes a form of community that fits the limits of our active lives. Defining a “circle of trust” as “a space between us that honors the soul,” he shows how people in settings ranging from friendship to organizational life can support each other on the journey toward living “divided no more.”

Made for Goodness – Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu Now, more than any other time in history, our world needs this message: that we are made for goodness and it is up to us to live up to our destiny. In this intimate and personal sharing of his heart, Archbishop Desmond Tutu engages his reader with touching stories from his own life, as well as grisly memories from his work in the darkest corners of the world. There, amid the darkness, he calls us to hope, to joy, and to claim the goodness that we were made for.

THE WAY OF LOVE IN AN ELECTION SEASON12 Jesus calls us to love our neighbor and our enemies in all aspects of our lives, not just on Sunday mornings. Treat others not simply as you want to be treated, but as God treats us: mercifully, compassionately, and graciously.

• Pray: for campaign staff, their health, and their relationships…for those who are focused only on themselves and not the greater good…for those denied the right to vote…for those who are cynical and angry…for those with whom you disagree…for mutual respect and cooperation after the election…for those who forget that we are called to work for the wellbeing and dignity of all people…

• Fast: Set time limits on your news and social media intake. It’s good (and feels normal) to be informed and connected, but it’s not our salvation. Jesus’ advice about fasting (as it, in that time, applied to fasting from food) still applies: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father who is in secret. And when your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18. You don’t need to announce your fasting to the entire world, nor is it necessary to judge or look down on others who aren’t fasting. Try fasting for a day, or a few days, or a week. Perhaps fast from certain devices or certain social networks. Notice how you feel and what you learn. Take notes. Just like fasting from food, it might be uncomfortable or challenging, but it’s in that discomfort that wisdom and spiritual discernment can break forth.

• Listen: Look. We know we have a problem. We know we’re listening to people who agree with us and making blanket statements about people who have opposing views. We know we do it, but we don’t know what to do. We need to listen. Less talking, more listening. The best people to listen to are those who are not shouting. 1. Remember that the person to whom you are listening is a child of God. Just like you. 2. Be curious and ask clarifying questions as you seek to understand someone else’s point of view. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk. 3. Be nice. Don’t call people names or hurt their feelings. Your kindergarten teacher taught you this. When tempted to use pithy one-liners and cheap shots ask yourself what you hope to accomplish and whether what you are doing is helping yourself or others.

• Discern: When considering a position, use the same lens that Jesus would use: how does this give voice to the voiceless? How does this help the downtrodden, suffering, poor, and oppressed—over and against any personal gain?

• Remember: No matter what happens on November 3, our work as a Christian community to be beacons of hope, justice, inclusion, and light will continue.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PINEY PARISH 4535 PINEY CHURCH ROAD •WALDORF, MD 20602 301.645.5000 (main office) • 301.535.4567 (pastoral emergencies) WWW.STPAULSWALDORF.ORG