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 we know find ourselves in the midst of. 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 which we commend to you for a time such as this. We believe that taking up any of these practices will be a buoy for your spirit. Each offers a meaningful way to deepen your relationship with divine. Some of the practices may be familiar to you; others may be new. You are invited to experiment with the practices described in this booklet. Pick them up when you feel called to and approach them playfully. Throughout this Fall, as we continue to physically distance ourselves it is our hope that this booklet will be a resource for you in your spiritual life. We pray that it may help you to feel connected in a deep and meaningful way with our parish, each other, and God. Sources: • http://efm.sewanee.edu/assets/uploads/CLSM_Chapter_2.pdf • https://www.unspokenelements.com/pages/how-to-use-anglican-prayer-beads • https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/ • https://www.stjohns-hingham.org/praying-the-daily-office • https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/253799/1-What-is-Lectio-Divina.pdf • https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide • http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/word-of-god/upload/lectio-divina.pdf • https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/method_cp_eng-2016-06_0.pdf LECTIO DIVINA 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 Cramner 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 6th 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 savour 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. Lectio is a spiritual practice that can be undertaken individually or as part of a group. When undertaken in a group setting, lectio is about listening to the experience of others and allowing it to inform your own experience. It is never about pushing a particular view and certainly is not competitive. Group lectio involves an invitation to share, but sharing is not compulsory. It is not a discussion, and no one comments on what another person shares. In group lectio, we listen to what is shared in the belief that God communicates with us through what others might say. Meeting together to engage in group lectio enables participants to learn a practice which can enhance their own personal prayer time and relationship with God. 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 discovered through lectio. Rather than putting this into words, allow the presence of God as Christ the Incarnate Word to refresh you. CENTERING PRAYER 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 Him. The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love. 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, we 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. • When engaged with your thoughts, gently return to the sacred word. • “Thoughts” is an umbrella term for every perception, including body sensations, sense perceptions, feelings, images, memories, plans, reflections, concepts, commentaries, and spiritual experiences. • 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. • 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. DAILY OFFICE The Daily Office is an ancient practice that uses daily prayers to mark the times of the day. For Anglicans, this generally comes in the form of the two main offices of Daily Morning Prayer and Daily Evening Prayer.