Category Archive

I found the following guided meditation video in a search. It starts with relaxation and breathing and then the meditation leader makes the statements printed below and many similar statements. I found it so helpful that I provide the so you can experience it in its original setting. I reproduce these affirmations as a sample. Perhaps you will find them … Read More

Every change in routine is an opportunity for mindfulness. Our lives and routine have been disrupted by the pandemic. We have been forced to do things in new ways but we are getting used to the new ways. What a golden opportunity to be intentionally mindful! Every hour we live — can make us more what God wants us to … Read More

Worship On Good Friday, April 2, 2021, there will be a service available online for you to view any time after Thursday evening to set the tone for Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. View or listen in humble prayer. On Resurrection Sunday (Easter), April 4th, there will be in-person worship which can also be viewed online. Social distancing, masking, and … Read More

If we want to support each other’s inner lives, we must remember a simple truth: the human soul does not want to be fixed, it wants simply to be seen and heard. To see and hear a person’s soul, there is another truth we must remember: the soul is like a wild animal — tough, resilient, and yet shy. When … Read More

Being socially isolated is hard to avoid these days. Researchers who have studied this have found unhappy and even dangerous results when people decrease interpersonal contact. https://relaysd.com/news/health Another option is to stay connected by telephone and enjoy vital connections instead. 1st John 4:19 tells us that: “We love, because Jesus first loved us.” Which is to say that the connection … Read More

Preparing During Advent Our tradition values this time of year as a challenge to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We imagine the Christchild, the Christmas Story and seek to align our spirit to God’s love shown there. But living during the COVID-19 era includes heightened anxiety. Jesus said “Do not be afraid” many times. Here is … Read More

When Jesus was asked “What is the Greatest Commandment,” the religious authorities wanted to trick him. ‘Commandments’ was not the topic he chose, but when asked, his answer was love. (Matthew 22:34-40) Brené Brown, in her book, Daring Greatly, defined love, outlined various masks that keep people from it and reported results from her research into overcoming them. Her research … Read More

When a group of people work effectively together, for good or ill, the world takes notice. The Christian Church has done this over and over, almost always for good and St. Philip’s United Church has been a powerful participant. In his first letter, Bible writer John identified his readers as Beloved. He challenged them to love each other and in … Read More

Live Peaceably Have you been tempted to retaliate against someone who walked physically close to you without wearing a mask correctly? When people fail to cooperate with the common good — it doesn’t hurt only those individuals who refuse to comply. Consequences are suffered by the whole community. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome: “…so far as … Read More

Evidence-based Action Needed St. Louis County is not seeing a rise in deaths from COVID-19 (as I write this article on July 15, 2020) like many states and the United States as a whole are experiencing. This is likely because most people here have been practicing the evidence-based actions needed to keep us safer and healthier. Dr. Alex Garza of … Read More