Sunday, January 29, 2006

ABOUT

Ah, so you want to know more about us?

Great. This is a practice that is open to all. Seminarians, laity, professors, clergy, and spiritual misfits are all encouraged to become members. If you would like to become a member go back to Lectionary...Go and send an email to Steve P or scottpetersen (click on one of our names under members.)

Lectionary...Go is an idea that has emerged out of spiritual practice that was begun in 2005.

In 2005 a collection of seminarians and a few other brave souls began to reflect daily during Lent on the Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, and Apostle's Creed. The result was that in making a commitment to write daily whatever hit our "souls" we learned quite a bit about God and each other. We were "encountered" by scripture. We were "encountered" by our brother and sister. We even evangelized. One brave soul found us via the net and joined our Lenten practice.

What are we?

We are a spiritual practice that calls its members to reflect on the Episcopal Lectionary Scriptures of the coming week. We hope that persons who become members will commit 10-30 minutes a day for 5 days reflecting on the scripture selections found on reading page. It is our hope that reflections will strive to stay open to the spirit. We are not looking for biblical criticism. Our hope is that reflections will strive to be open to however the Spirit encounters the person reflecting. One rule of thumb is that whatever jumps out at you after reading the selection will become the root of written reflection. It is our experience from last year to report that reflections often surprise, inspire, and teach fellow members things they never would have seen on their own.

What are we supposed to do?

First: Pray! Nothing gets worse by taking the time to pray. Please pray for our practice.

Second: Join! Only members can leave comments. To join go back to Lectionary...Go and contact either Steve P or scottpetersen. Send us an email and you will get an email with the invitation to join blogger which will make you a member. Joining blogger is free. (It is also painless- I have been a member for over a year and I also have never been solicited for anything.)

Third: After logging in on the day you are going to start click link to readings page. Read readings. What ever grabs you or jumps out at you may be just the thing you need to reflect on.

Fourth: Link back to Lectionary...Go and create a post. As you write try not to censure yourself. The Israelites were led out into the desert to better know the God they did not know. Let your reflection lead you by staying open.

Fifth: If you have time read other posts. Only members may Comment about the other entries. Members are encouraged to ask questions of one another if they come up.

Sixth: If for some reason you are not able to make it work please contact Steve P or scottpetersen for help.



Lectionary...Go has been created for a number of reasons:
1. As persons who are being formed for ministry we feel it is important to develop good habits or a rule of life. By reading and reflecting on the weekly Lectionary scriptures we will grow as Christians. The God who calls us continues to deliver! We're banking on it. If you stumbled upon us we would ask you to consider if God is calling you to this as well. Willingness is the key...not degrees or titles!

2. The two of us who began this work believe that it is more likely to continue a rule of life if you are responsible to others. By making this commitment to each other and others we're more likely to continue the practice. Accountability is a good thing.

3. There is a practical element to all of this. As two persons who will be (with God's good grace) rectors one day we recognize the eventual need to preach on a weekly basis. By having good habits and the hope of a continued practice we see Lectionary...Go as a means to develop the habit of growing with scripture. Intentionally the Lectionary readings are chosen two weeks ahead. We feel that by spending 10 to 30 minutes a day in reflection we will be well prepared to write more effective sermons the following week. By developing the habit of always reflecting a week ahead, we feel we will also be able to draw connections between weeks that may be missed otherwise. Ultimately ,we feel that this habit will pay off if with great reward when we are preaching 40 to 50 weeks a year.

That's it. Not too much to it. Blessings in your journey.

May Christ meet you where you are and guide us to where we need to be.