Through the wood you call us:
Wood of manger, stable, cross.
Through the wood you call us
To be your people in the world:
Vulnerable, active, giving
Monthly Archives: December 2016
…these roads we never planned to take
This year I will be travelling as a Seeker with the Lay Community of St Benedict. My journey into Benedictine Spirituality began when in my middle 20’s I first visited the Abbey of St Mary’s West Malling, in Kent, which is a Benedictine community. There I was introduced to the Rule and the Hours and they became part of my journey, sometimes close, sometimes more distant companions.
I first read about the Lay Community of St Benedict in the summer when I was walking on the Cleveland Way. It started to pop up on my Twitter feed. Before that I’d taken a retreat in May with another Benedictine Community at Stanbrook Abbey in Wass, and felt a homecoming there. I therefore decided to explore this invitation to be a Seeker and began at the end of November (around my birthday).
The Lay Community is diverse and widespread, I am told. Here begins a year to discern whether my unlikely path merges with theirs. As a result of ‘joining up’ I now receive their regular verses for meditation. Today’s blog title is from the first one and the words are by Peter Millar of the Iona Community, so that is familiar company so far.
There are many roads in my life I never planned to take and I acknowledge the surprising wisdom I have so often encountered on these unlooked for paths. This week I have been ministered to by people of all ages and I have shared in that ministry with them as we fill our Advent cupboard and share our Advent worship, tell our personal stories and listen to each other, as we travel on together on roads we never planned to take.
In our coming and our going
The Peace of God
Growing in the dark
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Growing in the dark
almost silently;
reaching upwards,
like fingers snatching
for the tiniest thread of light.
Nurturing in the dark
tip-toeing gently;
new growth welcomed,
caressed with worn fingers,
lit by dripping candles.
Triangle God; Creator, Son and Spirit,
We pray for Rhubarb farmers,
working in the dark:
planting, nurturing and harvesting
the ruby red stems;
lighting their way with candles
in a secret liturgy;
toiling to bring to light
the scarlet treasure.
We are amazed by the transformation
from dry root stock to tasty foodstuff.
As you transform the rhubarb,
so change us, the rhubarb eaters,
to watch and wait
for the harvest time:
when it comes it takes all stalks.
Seen on a van in Wakefield: Honk if you like Rhubarb
Sun rise
Talk about the sun rise with your children:
Of how the colour creeps from pinky-grey
To orange, the sky parting, pushing back
Streaking, cracking, leaking an artist’s palette
Greeting, breaking, welcoming, soft at first
Then louder, brighter, bolder, calling out,
Shouting, the world’s awake, the day’s alive.
Talk about the Son rise with your children,
Of how the dark dewy garden seemed serene,
The smell of earth, the sounds of birds,
The light coming creeping across the grass,
The shadows being pushed back,
The sorrow clinging to the branches,
Waiting to be challenged,
dispelled by a gentle footfall.
Talk to your children about the Son rise with the sun rise:
Affirming, confirming, ascending,
Father-wise, Spirit-filled, Welcome One,
The kiss of hope, nudging away reluctance.
May we greet you Sun-wise One,
Who greets us every morning,
That we may share the truth
Of the Word alive in us.
In our life and our believing
The Love of God