Discernment
“O Holy One, thank you for coming to us anew this day. Prepare our hearts and reawaken our love for you as we discern your call within us. May we join with you in making level the path for all people.” Amen.
Advent: DISCERNMENT
“Prime” – traditional prayer hour at the Start of the Day
Daily Prayers for All Seasons 2014
“Gentle” Worship: “Keeping the Tradition in a Brand New Way”
“Look on your family our God, and teach us to care for one another for you our child and parent. You alone are love’s source and secret.” Amen
A Prayer: Christmas
New Zealand Prayer Book – 1988
The “Gentle” Worship experiment immersed out of the ministry of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio. It recognized the growing members within the community who had “special needs” or were “differently-abled” and the challenges they faced in a traditional liturgical experience.
Coinciding with the interests of several clergy members and liturgical leaders (some with family members who had been absent from worship due to specific challenges) – an “experiment” was undertaken to create a new worship experience and a “safer” worship environment.
“In taking care of our fellow creatures, we acknowledge that they are not ours; we acknowledge that they belong to an order and a harmony of which we ourselves are parts. To answer to the perpetual crisis of our presence in this abounding and dangerous world, we have only the perpetual obligation of care.”
Wendell Berry
“Another Turn of the Crank”
As quoted in Our Perpetual Obligation: A Dissertation
The “Gentle” Worship experiment was featured as a project thesis in the dissertation: “Our Perpetual Obligation”. While taking place, it gathered a significant congregation that consistently commented on receiving far more “spiritual gifts” than those they were able to offer through intentional inclusivity.
The ministry celebrated its concession after almost three years and the moving of several leadership staff members in 2018.
Additional new resources for “Gentle” Liturgies and a complete chronicle and history of this ministry are found on subsequent pages.
“Merciful God, You send us into the world to tell the story of your divine mercy. Guide us with your steadfast love.”
Easter: Love
“NONE” – traditional prayer hour in the afternoon
Daily Prayers for All Seasons 2014
