Why am I trying to establish a Contemplative Collective? This poem from the estimable poet-priest Jon Swales goes a long way to expressing it better than a non-poet like me can. #worship #contemplation

Homo Adorans

You shall love—with all your heart,with all your soul,with all your might—but we have learned to think instead.To dissect.To label.To manage mysteryinstead of fall to our knees before it.We have made ...

cruciformjustice.com

Introducing the Contemplative Collective - a new vision for a supportive online network for those who are interested in exploring the reflective/meditative side of Christian prayer and worship. Starting with a WhatsApp group, but hopefully developing a routine of regular virtual chapel events.

I'm putting out feelers to see if there is any interest in an online community for people who want to explore creative approaches to contemplative worship. A regular Rhythm of Prayer led by folk from a variety of traditions. Reply or DM if this appeals! #prayer #worship #newmonasticism

I've noticed a few 'Christian' Nationalist profiles using the motto 'Deus Vult' . Worth remembering that this slogan (in English, "God wills it") originates in the medieval Crusades - a holy war unleashed against the 'infidels' in Palestine bringing untold suffering to many thousands on both sides.

If you are in Wigtown for the Festival, why not join us on Friday evening for a simple time of quiet reflection in words, music and silence - 6.30pm in Sacred Heart Church. All very welcome from all faith traditions and none. #wigtownbookfestival #contemplativeworship #Taize

Our little town is flooded with visitors from all over the world this week for the annual Wigtown Book Festival. The churches have various things planned, and we at CWOW have our regular First Friday contemplative worship gathering this Friday - 2nd of 2 Season of Creation offerings.

All our regular activities are open to all-comers - regardless of gender, ethnicity, or any other personal characteristic. However, members of the GBTQ community might be interested in the safe space we have started specifically for 'men who like men' www.facebook.com/groups/mensc... #gaychristian

Please note the updated start day for our series of weekly Night Prayer gatherings on Zoom - now starting Monday *28th* September (a week later than originally advertised).

Starting 21st Sept, we will be running a weekly rhythm of prayer on Zoom and FB Live every Monday utntil Xmas, at 8.45pm (UK time), based around a simple form of Night Prayer, and including an Examen-style reflection on the past week and setting intentions for the week ahead. Links etc. to follow.

substack.com/@churchwow/n...

Our monthly 'First Friday' gathering for September (4th) will focus around the theme of the Creator and His Creation - and our role within that scheme. And will include a quote from the Gospel of Thomas, as well as a challenging poem from my favourite Anglican priest (or one of them) Rev Jon Swales.

Visited a new church today. A large, beautiful Anglican parish church - classic Georgian architecture, well preserved and presented. But barely 2 dozen in the congregation. A rather lack lustre 'middle anglican' service, and no one making any attempt to welcome a newcomer. I prob won't visit again.

In a thread on Facebook about redundant churches, I came across a post from a young Muslim man, highlighting something I was vaguely aware of about the Muslim community. The emphasis on alms giving, and community support for the poor and struggling. In so many cases, we Christians could learn a lot!

I am getting increasingly distressed by the amount of utter garbage being spouted under the guise of 'Restoring Christian Values' and 'protecting Christian freedoms' - largely from people who wouldn't be able to quote the Sermon on the Mount if you offered them £1million!

We are intending starting up a weekly 'Rhythm of Prayer' from September via Zoom and/or FB Live. If you would like to join us, please give an indication of times/days that suit so I can try and come up with the most convenient option. (UK based, so '9pm Eastern' is not an option I'm afraid!)

Sharing the poem we used as a launch pad for our meditation at tonight's Contemplative Worship gathering as people seemed to find it particularly helpful. I thoroughly recommend a browse thro some of Jon's other writings, which can be very powerful and profound, while also very down-to-earth.

After the Noise

Do not come to me nowin the rush.Not in the swell of the room.Not in the chasefor one more high place,one more momentto prove you are here.I am tiredof mistaking intensityfor presence.Tired of thinkin...

cruciformjustice.com

At our Lammas gathering in the Wild yesterday, we took rubbings of the ancient standing stones and made them into a cross, reminding ourselves that, before the Bible and Jesus, our ancestors were seeking for answers in the 1st Book of God - the wonders of creation in the sky, the earth and seasons.

The Bible tells us that in the past, God spoke to humanity in many ways at different times and places, but now He has spoken to us definitively through His Son. The Logos. The living and definitive eternal Word. Yet so often Christians appeal again and again to verses taken from

Last Sunday's Gospel reading included one of my favourite parables: the Kingdom of Heaven likened to yeast spreading through a large measure of flour. What was dry and inedible, ready to blow away in the wind, is transformed, integrated & expanded into the dough of a loaf, ready to feed the hungry.

From J Swales Unite the Kingdom "Thomas kneels. Yes, Lord. Safety. Peace. Justice. But how? Whose? And what does unity mean when voices clash so fiercely? He prays: Christ, show us a unity not crafted in statements, not shouted in streets, but broken in bread, poured in wine, birthed at your table."

It's almost time for our next quarterly Worship in the Wild gatherings - this Saturday at Drumtroddon Stones near Port William, marking the start of harvest at Lammastide. An informal time to pause, reflect and give thanks for all God's goodness - in the midst of his beautiful creation

I'm away for the w'end. Went to morning service at a small cofe church on a housing estate. Was greeted with a bacon roll: "It's cafe church this morning, so just join a table". Turned out it was just a scaled down 'normal' service sat around tables; cafe church should surely be more than that?

Two firsts for me at church this morning. I've been asked to lead the opening prayers, and I'm taking my first 'shift' on the AV desk (all the regulars are on holiday and I had a crash course last week). Guess which role has me panicking!

People sometimes say 'I can't believe in a God who created people he claimed to love, then condemned them to Hell and had kill his own son on the cross to pay the penalty to free them from the results of doing what he knew they would do'. If that's you, you're not alone!

I recently commented on a post from Christian Concern expressing concern abt upcoming anti-conversion therapy legislation in the UK. I immediately got a reply telling me how important it was to help people change in line with God's will, and hoping one day I would come to a saving faith in Jesus.

It seems the Prime Minister-in-waiting has appointed a former chair of Friends of Israel (and Blairite cabinet minister) as his chief of staff. Don't expect Burnham to oppose the ongoing genocide in Palestine, or to reverse the restrictions on pro-Palestinian protests at home.