Dear Friends,
We pray you are safe and well.
Today's Meditation comes to us from one of Rev. Austin Fleming's prayers for today, with the theme You'll Never Walk Alone.
We invite you to join us as we commit ourselves to working tirelessly to end systemic and structural racism in our society, in healthcare, in the workplace, in the Church--wherever it shows up so that everyone may come to have more abundant life. May this meditation nourish our contemplative-active hearts and sustain all of us in action.
In the spirit of our philosophy of co-creating community and our awareness that the Spirit speaks through each of us, we invite you to share your meditations with us as well. We truly believe that in God’s economy of abundance, when we share our blessings, our thoughts, our feelings, we are all made richer.
We hope and pray that you and your loved ones experience genuine peace of mind and heart, and remain in good health during this challenging time.
In this "Season of Ordinary Time" in the Church Year, may this be a time of peace, of healing and hope, of the infusion of joy in your life!
With our love and care,
Ron & Jean
MEDITATION 204: You'll Never Walk Alone by Rev. Austin Fleming
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A Concord Pastor Comments
On Retreat: Tuesday 11/17
Posted: 17 Nov 2020 06:30 PM PST
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I'm away on retreat so I won't be posting as often as usual, just once a day, in the evening. Rather than offering a Pause for Prayer or Night Prayer, I'm inviting you to find some time and a place wherever you are this week to join me on retreat. I'll be writing in the first person singular and I hope you can make my words your prayer as you carve out a little retreat time for yourself each day this week. Find a quiet place... find a quiet time... light a candle... take a few deep breaths... ask the Lord to help you pray...
Years ago, Lord, I wrote a song whose first lines were
Just to be here, not to worry
about where else I should be...
That's how I'm feeling on retreat here:
the experience of being in the right place,
at the right time, in the right company
(and that, Lord, would be you!)
Of course, it's a huge help
to be away from my usual surroundings,
in a place of peaceful quiet,
on the edge of the Atlantic,
all for the purpose of spending time with you...
But I know, Lord, there's no place on earth
and never a wrong time
to slow down, close my eyes, take a few deep breaths
and open my heart to you:
you're always standing by, always waiting,
always ready to keep me company,
to listen patiently to my tale of woe,
to offer a shoulder for me lean on,
and a gentle hand to wipe the tears from my face...
Just to be here, not to worry
about where else I should be...
You're always at my side, Lord:
I don't even need to turn to find you:
I need only open my eyes, my mind, my heart
and welcome your presence, your peace,
your patient waiting for me to say hello...
And if hello is all my prayer can muster,
well, I know you're fine with that, Lord,
because more than anything else
it's our meeting that you desire,
our coming together,
our face to face for some quality time,
even if we spend it in silence, you and I,
there's the gracious opportunity
for me to bask and grow in the love
you're always offering...
Just to be here, not to worry
about where else I should be...
I don't need a whole week,
or a different place or an ocean's tides
to set the scene for our encounter, Lord:
you're always there, everywhere,
waiting to welcome me to stop
and take a break for prayer, in peace,
with you...
Just to be here, not to worry
about where else I should be...
Amen.
You Do Not Walk Alone by Elaine Hagenberg
May you see God's light on the path ahead
when the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear even in your hour of sorrow
the gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard
may hardness never turn your heart to stone.
May you always remember when the shadows fall:
You do not walk alone.