As we enter into October, the air laden with the smell of pumpkin spice, I’d like to share a few more ideas for new spiritual practices as suggested by my colleague in ministry, the Rev. Linda Kurtz, who serves at the First Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Kentucky. As the leaves change, I invite you to consider changing up the way you pray and seeing if one of these practices might enrich your conversation with God.
It’s time to get outside! Venturing outdoors is good for our mental health in these strange days of social distancing and self-quarantine. Just be sure to avoid heavily-trafficked places and maintain a 6-foot distance from any other people you encounter.
We invite you to take a prayer walk. Go for a walk in your neighborhood, at a park (if it’s not too busy!), or somewhere else. As you walk, what do you notice? What do you wonder?
Pray for the people who live in the houses you pass, or the people you walk past. Pray for the community you’re in — its health, its economic viability, its connections. Notice your worries and fears, and bring them to God. Notice the things you find yourself thankful for, like signs of spring, and bring them to God, too. May this walk bless your mind, body, and soul.
- Basic Quick Bread Recipe (No yeast; can be savory or sweet.)
- The Famous New York Times No-Knead Bread (Pretty, and people swear that it’s the easiest bread they’ve ever made! Scroll to the end for the recipe. Warning: this loaf takes 12-24 hours to make.)
- Ice Cream Bread (Uses literally 2 ingredients: ice cream and flour. This one feels particularly excellent to make with kids!)
- Beer Bread (recipe below)
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 bottle beer
butter, melted
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Add the beer all at once, mixing as little as possible; the batter should be lumpy.
2. Pour the batter into a 9-x-5-x-3-inch loaf pan and brush/pour on top with the melted butter.
3. Bake in the oven for 1 hour. Turn out onto a rack to cool.