“Be Still and Know That I Am God” – Psalm 46:10
Galatians 5:22-23 says that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Wednesday mornings at Nacoochee Presbyterian Church now find a number of people joining together to grow such fruit in our own lives and in our community.
Every Wednesday, from 10:15 until 11:00, we practice a moving meditation called T’ai Chi Chih. It combines gentle movement and relaxation techniques to achieve enhanced mindfulness, which can reduce stress and improve focus, balance, and flexibility. I lead this practice.
On first and third Wednesdays, from 11:00 until 12:30, Karen Brown, Elder for Worship, leads the Women’s Spirituality Group to increased understanding of our spiritual natures through the study of various books about spirituality. The Group is currently studying “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World,” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is an excellent book, and the group is still in the first quarter of the book, so it isn’t too late to join the discussion.
On second and fourth Wednesdays, from 11:00 until 12:30, Barbara Luhn and Mary Raymer are leading a Centering Prayer Group, which seeks to both learn and practice Centering Prayer as taught by Fr. Thomas Keating. We are currently watching video lectures by Fr. Keating and then sitting in silence, quieting our inner voices and opening ourselves to the voice of God and to the healing of God through the practice of Centering Prayer.
I can’t guarantee that attending these meetings on Wednesday mornings will make you a happier and healthier person, or more peaceful, kind, generous, or faithful, but I can attest that spiritual practices of various kinds have indeed had these effects on me. If you sense that you are ready to open yourself to the possibilities of spiritual awakening and growth, perhaps you might consider joining us. All three meetings are open to everyone.
Blessings,
Teresa