Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
a great article on labyrinths
Enjoy this wonderful article by artist and author Meryl Ann Butler, by clicking the link above. It is all about touring the Portland, Oregon area labyrinths while attending The Labyrinth Society's annual conference earlier this month. Thanks, Meryl Ann!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
preparing the circle
light of Christ
Reverend Ron Hilliard led all the parents and kids in communion after a time of fellowship and singing. As we circled around the campfire to receive the sacraments, I was (naturally) reminded of a new type of labyrinth walk.....
"and an ocean tumbled by with a private boat...."
...."for Max (or me, or you, or whoever) and he sailed off through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are."A couple of weekends ago I had the blessing of accompanying my son and my husband on a church youth group camping trip to Peanut Island. I do not camp. When I learned, however, that most all the other moms were going to be roughing it, I became a very last minute, wary and somewhat reluctant, tag-a-long.
- Maurice Sendak from WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (with my own emphasis added)
I was sitting alone on the beach contemplating sleeping outside in 90 degree Florida heat when I first saw this little boat sail past in the distance. I had no idea at the time that anyone from our church group owned it or even dreamed that they had built it completely by hand!
Immediately, I was struck with an incredible sense of peace and tranquility. On that crowded beach which was teaming with boaters, snorkelers and swimmers, the sight of the miniature boat felt timeless, authentic - sacred. The noisy world around me fell completely and inexplicably silent.
This little vessel continues to sail the spaces of my heart almost daily now, carrying me to visit my own Wild Things and then thankfully "back over a year and in and out of weeks and through a day and into the night of (my) very own room...."
My prayer is that your private boat will soon sail into the harbor of your heart, too.
Peace for your Path.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
join me tomorrow at "third thursdays on the labyrinth"
We'll be walking the labyrinth in the lovely outdoor garden at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd between 10am and 12pm. Drop by anytime!
Join us to discover Peace for your Path.....
Join us to discover Peace for your Path.....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
listen to "the wisdom of the labyrinth"
Tomorrow at noon Pacific time, Dr. Lauren Artress, the founder of Veriditas, will be interviewing Daniel H. Pink, author of the amazing book A Whole New Mind. Don't miss it! (But just in case you do, all of the radio shows are archived so check it out anyway when you get a chance).
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
thank you good shepherd friends!
It was a beautiful sunny Sunday here in South Florida for The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd's annual "Blessing of the Animals" on October 4th. My yellow lab, Lily, finally met Father Bob's golden retriever, Mac, for the first time.
A lovely ceremony was held in the church courtyard for the sixty or more people and pets in attendance. Each pet's name was spoken aloud to the group by his or her human family member. Dogs, cats, and rabbits (all leashed and crated) greeted one another cordially and in the spirit of true friendship. After beautiful scripture readings by the clergy staff, each animal was blessed with a sprinkling of Holy water and prayed for individually.
Several attendees enjoyed snacks and conversation afterward while others ventured over to the labyrinth. This was the first "Paws on the Path" event to coincide with "The Blessing of the Animals".
Though Lily did not walk with the same contemplative spirit as her elder friend Mac, she did bring her own brand of youthful exuberance to the Path. All together, Lily and I estimate about 12-14 dogs and their people (plus one brave cat!) walked the outdoor labyrinth together.
St. Francis himself was most surely smiling down upon our happy gathering!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
the feast day of st. francis of assisi
Do something beautiful for the earth and its wild creatures today.....
DOES EVERY CREATURE HAVE A SOUL?
A tool
in your hand I am, dear God,
the sweetest instrument you have shaped my being into.
What makes me now complete -
feeling the soul of every creature against
my heart.
Does every creature have a
soul?
Surely they do: for anything God has touched
will have life
forever,
and all creatures He
has held.
- St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
DOES EVERY CREATURE HAVE A SOUL?
A tool
in your hand I am, dear God,
the sweetest instrument you have shaped my being into.
What makes me now complete -
feeling the soul of every creature against
my heart.
Does every creature have a
soul?
Surely they do: for anything God has touched
will have life
forever,
and all creatures He
has held.
- St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Friday, October 2, 2009
st. francis of assisi
A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi as recorded in the collection of legends surrounding his life called The Fioretti:
"My sister birds, you owe much to God, and you must always and in everyplace give praise to Him; for He has given you freedom to wing through the sky and He has clothed you... you neither sow nor reap, and God feeds you and gives you rivers and fountains for your thirst, and mountains and valleys for shelter, and tall trees for your nests. And although you neither know how to spin or weave, God dresses you and your children, for the Creator loves you greatly and He blesses you abundantly. Therefore... always seek to praise God."
paws on the path was inspired by the veriditas labyrinth journal
Read our Spring 2009 edition with the special theme "Tails of Spirit: Animal Friends on the Path" in The Spirit of Veriditas, Voices From the Labyrinth. (Extra-special thanks to writer, Maia Scott and her dog Tessa for lending us the wonderfully creative title, "Paws on the Path"!) Learn how labyrinths have inspired people and animals to connect in countless, special ways.....
or, walk with us in spirit, wherever you are in the world!
Visit the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator to find a labyrinth in your neighborhood.
paws on the path
Please plan to attend the annual Blessing of the Animals this Sunday, October 4th at 4pm at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. All are welcome to experience this lovely ceremony in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Bring your pets, leashed or crated, and receive a special blessing from the pastoral staff. Father Bob Taylor will be there with the event's ambassador, his golden retriever, Mac (pictured above leading me through the labyrinth), along with other clergy members.
Immediately following the blessing ceremony, meet me and my yellow lab, Lily, along with other members of the Good Shepherd Labyrinth Committee in the outdoor labyrinth garden. Enjoy walking the stone pathway with your beloved animal companions. Lily has chosen some special snacks for her four-legged friends (cats, too!), so be sure to stop by to say hello!
Read more on page 8 of the October 2009 edition of Tidings by clicking "Paws on the Path" above. This promises to be a memorable family event!
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