Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Way of Light! Walk the Way of Love!

Easter is here!!!   Christ is risen.
We are nowhere near done with our discipleship, worship, study or prayer life. 

This Easter season I invite you to walk the Way of Light.  This path follows the same 14 spots as the Way of the Cross, however now the readings are focused on 'what's next' and being people of the resurrection. 

The Way of Light stations approved by General Convention last summer are here.  We have printed copies and a Bible in the bucket.  You could also use your smart device to google each passage. 

OR follow this link to 200+ passages focused on the word STEADFAST.    Choose 14 passages - but always click the 'in context' link for the full slice of text.

Or here are 15 passages from the Gospel of Luke with the word Light.  Click on the 'in context link' below each passage.

There are a handful of books in the bucket of light marked with 14 tabs.  Read a selection at each station. 

It would be interesting to choose an Easter themed podcast and listen to 5 minutes or so each station.

You could walk with hymns, and sing or listen to a verse at each station.  Here are 4 Easter hymns/songs on You Tube. 

Lastly here is a link to Easter poems.

What other ideas do you have for walking the way of light and resurrection?  What about a way of delight and energy after Pentecost?  What would you include?

Be the mission of love in the world.  Take the time to breathe and pray.  Christ is risen, Alleluia!

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Self Directed Way of the Cross Collection

At Grace Church in Pemberton, we have set up 14 stations around our property so that in the season of Lent one might walk the Way of the Cross, and then come Easter, the Way of Light.  This is an ancient way of spiritual growth, and we offer it with a few options. 

This journey can be for all people, those who know Christ's passion well, and those for whom the whole church thing is a mystery.

It can be done silently or reading aloud; it can be done on your own or with others.

We only suggest that you take your time.  Breathe deeply.  Reflect on the questions of how we are so deeply broken and how this Passion changes how we see and respond to cruelty and deathliness.

The stations start with a bucket of booklets and the printed options.

The bucket of options is by the 'back door' of the office on the Rectory (so within sight of the Peace Pole).  Here you will find:

· The folded Way of the Cross booklets are the most classic approach to this journey.

· The Bonhoeffer sets are 14 biblical stations paired with writings by theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It finishes with a short set of prayers.

· The Bearing our Sorrows book has 14 chapters with many choices. At each stop choose one reading (or more) from each chapter.

· The New Stations book could be used by reading the scripture at each stop and a paragraph or two from each chapter. It is a good book and worth the read.

· There is also a wonderful children’s book that only has 12 readings and includes Easter, but perhaps you could use it and make two stops be for silent contemplation.

· There are two sets of 14 art images. Take this along with you to contemplate.

· There is one set of 14 ‘quotes’ to contemplate.




Then this being the modern age there are several publicly available digital options.

Busted Halo is a terrific young source of digital content for smart and honest faithfulness.  A Catholic 'Way' to be sure, but worth a watch of these 'Virtual Way of the Cross' videos, all available on YouTube.


Here is a PDF of a thoughtful and profound version of the Way of the Cross offered by the Reverend Frank Louge.  This is what is printed and put in the bucket. My only complaint is the Roman numerals.  I really hate that we make it hard for people to count.  The language of the people includes numerals!!!

This is a link to a pdf of the typical Episcopal texts of the Way of the Cross with images from Episcopal Relief and Development. 

This is a podcast explanation of the stations more than a prayerful way through, but might be what you desire. 

This is a podcast of a set of biblical stations of the cross.  Some of the traditional stations come from tradition and not a specific scriptural moment. 

May this be a blessing to your journey and may we find ourselves in union with all who suffer at the foot of Jesus' cross.