We will not be meeting in December, but will resume with discussion of the practice of Fasting on January 19, 2017, at 7 PM.  Please see previous post for information about Fasting.

Thursday evening, November 17, at 7:00 PM we will come together again to explore the practice of fasting. 

Fasting is a willing abstinence or reduction from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast (dry fasting) is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a period of 24 hours, or a number of days. Water fasting allows drinking water but nothing else. Other fasts may be partially restrictive, limiting only particular foods or substances. A fast may also be intermittent in nature. Fasting practices may preclude intercourse and other activities as well as food.

In Methodism, fasting is considered one of the Works of Piety. Historically, Methodist clergy are required to fast on Wednesdays, in remembrance of the betrayal of Christ, and on Fridays, in remembrance of His crucifixion and death. "The General Rules of the Methodist Church," written by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, wrote that "It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, by attending upon all the ordinances of God, such are: the public worship of God; the ministry of the Word, either read or expounded; the Supper of the Lord; family and private prayer; searching the Scriptures; and fasting or abstinence." Wesley himself also fasted before receiving Holy Communion "for the purpose of focusing his attention on God," and asked other Methodist Christians to do the same. 

In accordance with Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers, fasting in Methodism is done "from morning until evening". The historic Methodist homilies regarding the Sermon on the Mount also stressed the importance of the Lenten fast.

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting

Thursday evening we will discuss the theological reasons for fasting, the practice, and alternate ways of fasting.  

Tomorrow evening, Thursday, October 20, at 7:00 PM, we will meet to explore the spiritual practice of The Jesus Prayer.  Long used by the desert fathers and mothers as far back as the fifth century, The Jesus Prayer became a way to truly commune with God, built on the belief that body, mind, and spirit were so intertwined that the soul could only truly commune with God if removed from all other distractions.

The classic longer form of the prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Some scriptural references to this prayer are: Mark 10:47, Luke 18:38, and Luke 18:13

Shorter version:
"Christ, have mercy on me."

The prayer is first recited in private, in quiet, often with the help of a prayer rope, or other counting device.  Eventually, the prayer is said to become one with the one praying.

For more information, check out this article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer

or these links, explaining prayer ropes:

http://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Prayer%20Rope.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_rope

A good text written for youth groups, but giving a lot of detail on various spiritual practices can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Shaper-Tony-Jones/dp/031025101X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476911231&sr=1-2&keywords=soul+shaper

Hope to see you tomorrow evening.

On Thursday, September 22, we will begin our Spiritual Practices Workshop.  Our first topic will be Sacred Reading.  You might know the practice by its other name, Lectio Divina.

The practice of Sacred Reading involves choosing a passage of scripture or other devotional book. You don't have to pick a passage before we meet.  I will have a short passage for us to practice with and you may pick something else to work with for yourself at home.

Sacred Reading has four parts:

Reading (lectio)
Meditation (meditatio)
Prayer (oratio)
Contemplation (contemplatio)

We will discuss the history and method of the practice, and work with a short passage.  See you then.

I have been away this week for my grandfather's funeral.  Will post information about Sacred Reading when I return.  Our first Workshop session will be next Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7PM.

September 2016 Newsletter

11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:11-12

                  In our faith lives, we learn to practice various activities that are faith specific. We pray, we sing hymns, at some times of the year we may do a form of fasting.  These practices are a part of our worship and part of our journey of discipleship.  Spiritual practices such as these cultivate our spiritual development. 

                  A good way to think of spiritual practices is that of walking a path.  Using spiritual practice, we move toward a goal, whether it is enlightenment, discerning God’s will, or to more deeply experience our spiritual selves. 

                  Beginning in September, we will begin a Spiritual Practices Workshop. Each third Thursday of the month, the first being September 15, anyone interested is invited to come together as we explore different spiritual practices. The first will be Sacred Reading.  I have set up a blog site, http://labyrinthliving.blogspot.com, so that each practice may be broadly explained before we meet.  At the third Thursday meetings, we will discuss the practice further and will explore the practice together.   

                  During the intervening time, participants will be invited to comment on their experiences, successes and difficulties encountered in the exploration of the practice. 

                  Each month we will introduce something new to explore.  It may be that some practices will interest you much more than others.  So, the group will be fluid, changing number and participants as we explore our journey of Discipleship in new ways. 

                  Watch the bulletin inserts and the BlogSpot for more information.

Peace

Todd