Pause to Reflect
Resurrection
Resurrection is the refusal to be imprisoned any longer
by history and its long hatreds; it is the determination
to take the first step out of the tomb.
The logic of resurrection calls us to action.
If we say we believe in the resurrection
it only has meaning if we are people
who believe in the possibility
of transformed lives, transformed attitudes,
and transformed societies.
The action is the proof of the belief.
I can say I believe… because I see resurrection now,
see stones rolled away and new possibilities
rising from old attitudes.
~ Attributed to Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh
Camina, Pueblo de Dios (Walk On, O People of God)
United Methodist Hymnal, No. 305
Words: Cesareo Gabarain; trans. by George Lockwood
Look on Calvary’s summit; on the rock there towers a cross;
death that gives birth to new living, a new people, a new light.
Christ has brought us salvation with his death and rising again.
Everything comes to new birthing, all creation is reborn.
Christ takes into his body all our sin, enslavement, and pain;
as he destroys them he brings us life’s abundance, life’s new joy.
Christ brings reconciliation to all things and people with God.
Nature bursts into new flowering, all creation is reborn.
Heaven and earth are embracing, and our souls find pardon at last.
Now heaven’s gates are reopened to the sinner, to us all.
Israel walks a journey; now we live, salvation’s our song;
Christ’s resurrection has freed us. There are new worlds to explore.
[Refrain} Walk on, O people of God; walk on, O people of God!
A new law, God’s new alliance, all creation is reborn.
Walk on, O people of God; walk on, O people of God!
Recalibration LIVE!
Join us on our next zoom!
Finding a Shared, Entangled Spirituality with Nature
with Rev. Bill Campbell
Saturday, May 16
1:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern
12 noon – 3:00 pm Central
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Mountain
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Pacific
For centuries the narrative of Christian Spirituality has centered on humans being unique and elevated above all creatures. Due to this exalted status our spiritual focus is on transcendence, control, power, superiority exceeding nature. Often our spiritual longings are very individualistic: preoccupied with the ethereal, to have sway, ascendency, prerogative, gain divine power to overcome and privilege our lives.
Our autonomy has caused us to become relational refugees from embodied sacred world. We have been divided from nurturing healthy relationships with animals, trees, each other and our home upon the land.
We will explore expanding spirituality which is embodied, grounded, communal and shared with all of God’s creation. An overview of Biblical insights, a Wesleyan approach of prevenient grace, Celtic spirituality, insights of science, ecology and trees as spiritual companions. Looking at the wild side of creation to cease to consider the world as a commodity and reclaim the earth as a sacred gift.
(Scroll down on the page that opens and click on Register for: Saturday, May 16 – “Finding a Shared, Entangled Spirituality with Nature” with Rev. Bill Campbell)
About our Presenter: Bill is a certified Spiritual Director, certification program at Southern Methodist University in 2015. In 2023 certification as a Forest Therapy Guide from the Forest Therapy School. Also, Bill is a certified Scuba Diver for 57 years Bill received a Master of Theology degree from Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology). Also, studied for a Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Bill is an Eagle Scout, a Water Safety Instructor (WSII) for over 50 years and teaching swimming classes and lifesaving courses and a Forest Therapy Guide. A love of the outdoors led to becoming an Eagle Scout, hiking, fly fishing, canoeing, camping and backpacking (with camera in hand) over a lifetime.
Bill is a retired Elder in the Tennessee Western KY Conference of the United Methodist Church. Served as a parish pastor for 10 years and 30 years as the United Methodist Campus Minister at Middle Tennessee State University.
The focus of his spiritual direction practice involves hiking, forest bathing and contemplation of nature.
This event is open to all who are interested.
Book Review
How to Read a Book
by Monica Wood
This book is a novel. It’s about women involved in a book club that takes place in a prison – so most of the women are prisoners, and one is the volunteer who shows up for 2 hours every week for their sharing time. There are several interesting twists as the stories weave together.
There are many layers in this book – including
the importance of listening
the importance of accepting another as they are
the importance of being present – bringing your whole self
the ever-present possibility of redemption
love is essential
poetry can stir our depths
offering gifts of creativity
every person matters
creatures are valuable, too
…and so much more.
There are moments in the book that brought smiles or laughter, and other times when tears emerged. It is a fun, but meaningful story – and a nice break from more serious tomes.
(reviewed by Glynden Bode)
Resurrection – More Thoughts
Living Spirit, Holy Fire (No. 3109, Worship & Song)
(Words by Ruth Duck)
Living Spirit, holy fire, burning bright to light our way,
blaze among us and inspire lives that praise you day by day.
Warm us, draw your people near when our love draws weak or cold.
Free our frozen hearts fro fear, that each story may be told.
Melt away the masks we wear, hiding what we know and feel.
Risking growth, we want to share love in action, love that’s real.
Open hearts; affirm us all, many-splendored, one in you,
we embrace the work, the call: you are making all things new.
Redemption (no. 3111, Worship & Song)
(Words by Josh Tinley)
[Refrain] Lord, redeem our broken world.
Lord, redeem our broken world.
Deliver us from fear and sadness, hopelessness and pain;
save us from our apathy, our brokenness, our shame.
Rescue us from pride and anger, selfishness and greed;
give us hope and give us life. Restore us, set us free.
Send us your anointed one to heal and make us whole,
to break the bonds of sin and death to lift our weary souls.
SAVE the DATE
Our in-person RETREAT
Next Year ~
July 19-22, 2027
with Marilyn McEntyre
https://www.marilynmcentyre.com/about
at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in
Citrus Heights, California
https://christthekingretreatcenter.org/
Begin making plans now to participate –
and invite a friend to come along!
Hearts On Fire Membership & Community
This organization is open to all who are interested in spiritual formation/spiritual direction/retreat leadership, regardless of denominational affiliation.
Enrichment/educational/networking/community zooms are being held at intervals throughout each year.
Additional resources including: daily prayer guide, book reviews, etc.
Please consider becoming a paid member if you are not already.
Click here for the membership page on our website. There you will have the option to complete your member profile and pay online, or print a form and mail a check.
Have an event to share? Wondering what others are reading, or what practices they are finding helpful? Looking for a learning opportunity? Have questions about navigating the uncertainties of our times? Seeking support and encouragement? Want to discuss something with others?
Click here to check out our Facebook page to engage in the conversation and make connections with others.
Resurrection – a few more thoughts
Invitation
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
In the woods, the trees
softly clap their tender green baby hands.
On the hillside, they try on pink and mauve;
soon they will trade them for green.
Birdsongs rain among the trees.
A couple of geese fly over singing,
spinning their long web
across the continent of the morning.
The marsh, swollen all March and April,
begins to breath out,
its grasses green and another green,
and the bushes more greens.
I walk among them silent,
the world’s troubles in the pocket of my mind.
They are not uncaring,
even the little lump of toad
who may be watching me
and may be ignoring me.
Though they do not recognize
those woes in my pocket,
they extend their blessing.
They invite me in,
me and all my kin,
where they belong to a greater Yes
that is also, if we will have it, ours.
(from Unfolding Light: Poems, p. 117)
New Life for God’s People
(from UM Book of Worship, 375)
The prophet Ezekiel sees a vision:
God will take the dry bones of God’s people,
reconnect them, breathe into them, and restore them to life.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
[Prayer]
Eternal God, you raised from the dead our Lord Jesus
and by your Holy Spirit brought to life your Church.
Breathe upon us again with your spirit and give new life to your
people, through the same Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
