Good morning…
Every year, all of our weekly studies for women funnel into one summertime study, hosted on Zoom in June and July. This year, the first book chosen (The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence) was highlighted in one of our books for the spring, Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.
On page 41 Comer writes: “The monk who coined the phrase ‘the practice of the presence of God’ wasn’t a priest; he was a dishwasher in a monastery in seventeenth-century Paris. Brother Lawrence made it his life’s ambition to experience God in the chaos of the kitchen, with all its noise, distraction, and busyness. By the end of his life, he said, ‘The time of busyness does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and the clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees…'”
“Brother Lawrence had come to a place where all of his life was holy,” explains Comer, “there was no longer any difference between the quiet of the morning prayer and the cacophony of dinner prep, between the sanctity of the altar and the mundanity of the evening meal. Life was a seamless, integrated whole, grounded in God’s presence.”
This summer, might we learn to live life as a seamless, integrated whole, deeply grounded in the presence of God?
Our church has promoted our summer study group, and we invite you to join us. Here are the details.
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Join our Women’s Summer Reading Group beginning Wednesday, June 4 at 10am via travel-friendly Zoom. Take part in this informal study when you can, and let’s discuss some interesting books!
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French monk, “was able to turn the most commonplace and menial task into a living hymn to the glory of God.” This Christian classic, illuminates a path to closer communion with God.
How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley
This memoir explores McCaulley’s family history and the community that helped shape his path from Huntsville, Alabama to college, seminary, and university professorship. Page turning storytelling and enlightening truth about family relationships and identity.
Meet Wednesdays during June and July, 10-11:30 am.
Purchase your own books, please.
If you have questions or want to receive the Zoom link, contact Caroline Smith, fitzco1@comcast.net
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Now think of the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and greenish, as soon as it begins to sprout leaves, you know to expect summer. In the same way, when you see the wars and the suffering and the false liberators and the desolations, you will know the Son of Man is near—right at the door (Matthew 24:32-33, VOICE).
As this summer begins to sprout, we see the wars and the suffering and the false liberators and the desolations. We know that the living Christ is near, right at our door. Together on Wednesday mornings, might we practice grounding ourselves in the powerful presence of God?
…Sue…
