 Prayer
Visio Divina is a term used to refer to focusing on an image as a form of prayer (based on similar principles as 'Lectio Divina,' which focuses on a passage of scripture). Visio Divina can be done in a group with others or practiced alone. And it works for any age too – even kids can engage with this practice at their own level. An illustrated Bible is the perfect starting point. (source: "Praying with Your Eyes: How to Get Started with Visio Divina" by Elizabeth Manneh)
Here are a few tips for getting started with a Visio Divina practice:
1. Find a source. Choose an image to focus on during your time of prayer. The image can be a photo, a painting or illustration, or anything else you can focus on.
2. Open with a prayer. Ask God to guide your reflection and attention.
3. Consider your first impressions. What do you notice? What feelings, sounds, textures, etc. come to mind as you focus on the image?
4. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. What does what you notice bring up in you?
5. Listen for God's voice. What word of hope, promise, comfort or conviction might God be giving you?
6. Respond to what has risen up. Say a word of prayer. Record your reflections in a journal. Set an intention to guide the rest of your day.
Below is an image you might choose for a time of prayer and reflection. This is a practice you might explore while on holiday or in other ways seeking rest and restoration this summer.
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Together We Pray...
Guided by the Anglican-Lutheran Prayer Cycle, we particularly lift up the following in our prayers for July 24 & 31, 2022:
ACC: The Rt Rev. Stephen London, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Edmonton. The Rt. Revs Lydia Mamakwa, Larry Beardy, and Morris Fidler; Bishops, and the clergy and people of the spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh
ELCIC: The dean, council, and congregations of the East Central and Northern Areas of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories.
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 LWF Accepting Nominations for COP27
The Lutheran World Federation is accepting nominations for youth delegates for the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Youth delegates are young people under age 30. COP27 takes place from 6 to 18 November 2022. “The conference will likely be in a hybrid format that will include online and in-person participation,” explains Elena Cedillo, LWFs Program Executive for Climate Justice. “The nominated youth will play a key role in shaping the LWF’s engagement with COP27 – ranging from national-level advocacy to global mobilization.” Nominations close on 15 August. Contact Deacon Gretchen Peterson gpeterson@elcic.ca if you are interested in being nominated by the ELCIC.
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 CLAY Summer Leader Resource Pack Available
This resource can be used by youth leaders with youth groups, as well as by families, multi-age congregational groups, or other groups with or without youth.
The CLAY Summer Leader Resource Pack designed for you by the CLAY National Planning Committee (NPC) has everything you need to start getting ready for CLAY 2023. This CLAY Summer Leader Resource is created with youth in mind and contains suggested scripture readings, devotions, activities, music, and more to help youth and community leaders plan and carry out an event for their group.
This resource includes contributions from keynote speakers Rev. Nathan Fong and Rev. Aneeta Saroop, as well as pieces from the Venerable Val Kerr, who is the Gathering Elder. The CLAY NPC is excited to offer this free resource, and hopes that this will build community and excitement as leaders explore the gathering theme: Ashes & Embers. Please check out the resource when you click here.
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For Congregational Leaders
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Back to School Resources
Illustrated Ministries provides a free Blessing of the Backpacks and Back-to-School Worship Liturgy. You can get it here. They also have created a new “You Got This!” Backpack Tags for this year.
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 Season of Creation Celebration Guide
The 2022 Season of Creation Celebration Guide has been published providing a wealth of resources for use by churches and schools, individuals and communities across all the different Christian denominations.
Focused on the theme ‘Listen to the Voice of Creation’, the guide contains prayers and sermon notes, an Earth Examen or guided contemplation, advocacy suggestions, sustainability projects and a host of practical ideas for marking the Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi.
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 Going the Distance for the Urban - 2022 Walk/Ride Fundraiser for the Urban!
Saturday, September 10, 2022 (rain date: Oct. 1), 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. kick-off location at Abundant Life Lutheran Church, Birds Hill.
If you’d like to form a team or join a team, please contact Rhonda Gorham! Info will be on the website shortly. Download the publicity poster as a PDF.
Fun for all ages - and there will be walk and ride distances to suit everyone from 3 years old to the 90s! BBQ lunch outside Abundant Life, provided by the Urban afterward. Going the Distance for the Urban is our only fundraiser and replaces our participation in the annual Ride for Refuge.
Teams and team members will be on our website before the event with links to the team captains (and also to the Urban section on CanadaHelps).
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Sign up for newsletters directly from our ministry partners. These include:
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World Day Against Trafficking in Persons – July 30
Take time to reflect and pray for respect, self-worth, healthy relationships, shared humanity, and an end to gender-based violence, rape culture, female hypersexualization, sex trafficking, forced labour and child slavery. Make More Precious - National Youth Project resources part of your reflections.
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Please share this and encourage all members to sign up for the MNO Synod Newsletter.
We will be using the newsletter as our primary way of communicating with members and want everyone to be informed in a timely manner.
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