On the Way

by Joelle Novey I remember it so vividly. I am 10 years old, sitting on the banks of a lake at mid-morning, between tall grasses on all sides that closed around and over my head. I am a camper at Jewish summer camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and usually we pray the regular weekday morning liturgy, from books, on benches inside. But this morning, the counselors have told us to spend the prayer … Read More

by Blair Pettyjohn I was once at a friend’s house when she introduced me to a man who was helping her with household repairs. I still remember the kind and gentle spirit of this man; I don’t know many people who have made a better first impression on me. When I was leaving, I noticed his pick-up truck had a bumper sticker that promoted gun ownership. While I disagreed with the bumper sticker, I didn’t … Read More

by Dixcy Bosley-Smith About a year ago I had a spiritual crisis. A wilderness experience right in the middle of the GOP debate on religion and reproductive rights. It was related to a very special invitation to accompany an elderly friend to an event honoring him. Strangely enough, this great privilege thrust me into a place where I felt very alone. As a helplessly pathetic extrovert, I don’t do loneliness well. Don had been my spiritual director and sponsor for entering membership … Read More

by Jim Knight This morning during my prayer time, I read these words of Henri Nouwen in his book Making All Things New: “Our first task is to dispel the vague, murky feelings of discontent and to look critically at how we are living our lives. This requires honesty, courage and trust. We must honestly unmask and courageously confront our many self-deceptive games. We must trust that our honesty and courage will lead us not to despair, … Read More

by Kayla McClurg “I didn’t know what was so near, or that it was mine. This perfect sweetness blossoming in the depths of my heart.” – Tagore In community we begin to discover a desire for what we didn’t know was so near, or that it was ours. Traveling into the depths proves to be a lifelong journey, and happens best in community. One of the benefits of being in a church that strives to be on … Read More

by Susan Morley “There is an urge among us to birth a different world.” – Paul Hawken Birthing a baby is more than enough challenge, but a new world! Yikes! Advent is upon us and I am keenly aware of the craving for a different world. The Prayer Hut in Primavera Center is waiting for a symbol worthy of the inner work needed this season. Yet inner movements remain subtle. Clues often are all that … Read More

by Kayla McClurg For each of us there comes a moment, or a slow series of moments, when we sense the Great Love of the Universe, the One Who Is Beyond–God–as a personally felt presence. Something cold in us warms, something stiff in us loosens, and we sense a turning, an allowing, a yes. “Yes, I am ready to hear you, God. I am ready to deepen my connection to you and to your family. I am ready to be completely … Read More

by Ray McGovern The ‘institutional church’ is the last thing Jesus had in mind. WE are the church. And there is not a scintilla of evidence that he thought his presence in history would prevent us from worshiping with his Jewish brothers and sisters. So when we say we are the church, we ought to include all. All who trace their origins to the way God revealed God’s self to Abraham…and not exclusively to Abraham. So, okay. … Read More