As we enter into November and the start of cooler days, 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 world changes and 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.
CONNECT WITH NATURE
Breathe deeply and notice life continuing in nature. You might go for a walk in your neighborhood and pay attention to how things have grown and/or bloomed since you last looked.
If you’d rather not leave your house, explore a national park from your couch! Notice the way nature looks different at one of these parks than where you live. Breathe in and out and think about the ways nature has evolved over the course of millennia in these beautiful parts of our country.
TIME CAPSULE
As bizarre and hard as this time is, we are living through history. Today, document your experience and feelings in this time of pandemic by creating a time capsule.
In addition to written thoughts, you might also include photos, news articles or newspaper clippings, any art work you’ve created, or other mementos/memories. You might create a physical time capsule with printed paper and items, or a digital time capsule using a program like Evernote or Microsoft Word.
Click here for a guide to creating your COVID-19 time capsule.
Note: Though this document was created with kids in mind, any human can use it to create a capsule! The process itself is a good way for any of us to work through our feelings during this difficult time.
WHOLENESS RITUAL
Feeling overwhelmed? Set aside time for a ritual for wholeness in the evening or right when you wake up. Light a candle, take three deep breaths, and pray aloud: “Spirit of God, fill my breath with life and love.” Repeat.
SHARE HOPE
This practice is simple: Share a story or example of hope (or joy or love) with your family and on social media.
In trying times, we can re-connect with God and one another by sharing stories of God at work in the world.
May feelings of hope, joy, and love not be too elusive for you in this season.