by Elaine Breckenridge; Photo Credit: Randy OHC, CC BY 2.0 St. Aiden. Holy Cross Monastery Chapel, West Park, New York
Happy St. Aiden’s Day! My first introduction to St. Aiden was through reading A Holy Island Prayer Book by Ray Simpson. In the book, Simpson includes stories of some of the saints associated with Holy Island, Northumberland, England. As the founder of the monastery called Lindisfarne Priory and St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Holy Island, stories of St. Aiden figure prominently in the book.
St. Aiden was born in Ireland in the seventh century and spent his formative years as a monk in Iona, Scotland. In 635, he was called by King Oswald to bring Christianity to what was then Northumbria, England. Ordained as a Bishop, Aiden centered his ministry at first on the island but his mission extended as far south as London. He and his monks were faithful in corporate prayer and practiced solitude and seclusion, often praying on this small island opposite Holy Island and cut off twice daily by high tides.
St. Cuthbert’s Isle, Holy Island
He is credited for bringing Christianity to the English people. He also established the first school in England on Holy Island, training new monks who could carry on his ministry after his death. He died in the royal city of Bamburgh in 651.
Biographers agree that Aiden was both a humble and compassionate person. St. Bede in his book, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written in 731, tells us that Aiden made an intentional effort to reach out to all the people he met, “whether rich or poor. If they were unbelievers, he encouraged them to embrace the mystery of the faith, or, if already Christians, he would strengthen them in the faith and stir them up, by words and actions, to alms and good works.”
Aiden preferred walking on his mission rather than riding a horse. Walking among the people Aiden could identify their exact needs and minister to them in specific ways. When he was given money, he gave it to the poor or often went to the slave market to purchase a slave’s freedom. And he was bold enough to rebuke kings.
There is a story that King Oswin, son of King Oswald once presented Aiden with a fine horse as a gift. Aiden immediately gave it away to the first person he met on the road. When the King heard about this, he chastised Aiden. In reply, Aiden said: “What are you saying, Your Majesty? Is this child of a mare more valuable to you than this child of God?” After that response, the King humbled himself before his Bishop and said, “I will not refer to this matter again, not will I enquire how much of our bounty you give away to God’s children.” As Ray Simpson says, Aiden had both the boldness and the gentleness to unlock the hearts of those he encountered.
After praying with and reading from this book, I decided to take a pilgrimage to Holy Island and the surrounding area in 2010. A highlight of my pilgrimage was to visit St. Aiden’s Church in Bamburgh.
St. Aiden’s Church, Bamburgh
As I entered the church there was a sign welcoming me which read: “Welcome to St. Aidan’s whoever you may be—a casual visitor, a tourist fascinated by this beautiful historic building, a believer seeking an oasis of silence and prayer, a pilgrim in search of truth, a traveler hoping for healing and consolation.” What a beautiful word of welcome and gesture of hospitality that was.
In the entryway, there were displays which detailed the church’s current ministries. In the back of the church there was an entire children’s corner, with blankets, books, toys, and a rocking chair. This place obviously cared about welcoming children.
Then, I noticed all the women. I found panels of stain glass dedicated to women saints, from Mary and Martha of Bethany, to Brigid, Hilda, Ebbe, all Celtic saints, and more contemporary saints like Florence Nightingale. In another corner their needlecrafters had created a huge and marvelous history quilt, depicting the centuries of the ministries of women in that congregation, including what their women’s guild was doing in real-time.
A large central and freestanding altar draped with contemporary fabrics, fresh flowers and candles beckoned me to come near. As I walked behind the altar, I saw that I was in the presence of St. Aiden’s Shrine which I did not know would be there.
St. Aiden had died leaning against one of the buttresses on the outside of the church. A beam from where Aiden rested had survived unscathed through two subsequent burnings of the church. At the church’s third rebuilding, the beam was brought inside the church and many reported miracles of healing by touching it. It was touched so often that a decision was made to attach it to the ceiling to protect it.
St. Aiden’s Shrine, Bamburgh Photo Credit: Russell Wills
I sat down by the shrine. I was deeply moved to be there. After a period of silent meditation, I realized that it was St. Aiden himself who was embodied in the ministry of the church so many centuries later. The hospitality of St. Aiden was genuinely manifest in the things and symbols of this church building. Though I did not see a single person, I felt surrounded by the saints of God; both the living saints who were a part of that congregation and the love of the many saints who had followed Aiden and prayed at his shrine. Like Aiden, the members of that congregation were offering the hospitality of God, Christ and the Spirit to any stranger who crossed their threshold.
As a believer, I felt that here was a living and dynamic faith community, a place where I would have enjoyed worshiping and participating in their ministries. As a pilgrim, I was free to wander around the church, alone and at will. There were no ropes or rails that prevented me from exploring each nook and cranny. As a traveler, a side chapel, offered me an oasis of rest for prayer with soft cushions for meditation. As a tourist, I felt welcome indeed because another wonder was a sign which read,
“Looking for internet? Free access to the internet is available across the street, in the lobby of the Bamburgh Hotel. Just mention that you saw this sign at St. Aidan’s Church.” I went to the Hotel and the sign was correct. Gratefully, I was able to get online and connect with friends and family back home!
I experienced and learned that a church building can indeed be a sanctuary of divine, saintly and human hospitality. A stranger can grow nearer to the love of God in the fellowship of all the saints in any church that cares about the ministry of hospitality. And so, I offer this prayer for all of us by Ray Simpson from, A Holy Island Prayer Book.
“Lord Jesus, simplicity and a deep love for people shone out of your apostle Aidan. Grant that, like him, we may be gentle in our loving and bold in our speaking. May we inspire others to learn your ways, and so pass on the fire of faith. Amen.”
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by Diane Woodrow, as originally published on her blog here. Featured photo: Locally grown flowers from Hilltop Garden Flowers who are part of a great organisation called Flowers From The Farm
Godspace is running a series about Hospitality at the moment with lots of info on cooking and having people come into your home. Now I am someone who loves cooking for people, but I remember a friend who really was worried when she first started getting involved with church because she was not a good cook and also had children who did not like people coming into their house. She did doubt whether she was a “good Christian” or not; whatever that phrase might mean.
But one of the things that struck me in Christine Sine’s post for Monday was about being a “good guest.” We can all come as guests. We don’t need to bring anything apart from ourselves. But what does it mean to be a good guest?
Well for me I get upset when people to my house and bring extra food. I get upset by that because I will have provided more than enough. Though I do love it when they bring wine, chocolates, and/or flowers. All those things to me say they are happy to come to my house. When my sister-in-law first came to stay at our house she brought her own towels. I was hurt by that because I wanted to lavish hospitality on her but she wanted to “save me too much trouble.”
I think when we come as guests of God to the table I think we should come knowing that it is not too much trouble for God to lavish things on us. Of course we shouldn’t trash the place. As those who have been reading my blog for a while, pre-covid I did Airbnb. I enjoyed it but really got upset if guests did not respect my home and left things in a mess.
So as guests of God we should bring those extras – the spiritual equivalent of wine, chocolates and flowers, which often is nothing more than our open hearts. But we should respect those who are joining us, should respect God’s creation, should respect God’s home – which is our earth.
Also I love having guests who delight in being in my home and delight in being with the people who have also come to the table. So as God’s guests we should delight in being invited, delight in those God has chose to be with us for this season of our lives.
So to be a good guest then it to delight in being there, and not think we need to add to what God has done, to respect the space God has opened for us and those who are also invited to that self same space, and come wanting to be lavished on. If you come like that when I invite you I will be most pleased. And I am sure if you come like that God then they will be most pleased too.
Did you know we have a resource for St Aidan’s Day?
Download now for free and enjoy these daily reflection prayer poems by Carol Dixon.
Also includes a music download for “A Special Place” by Carol Dixon! Check it out in our shop.
It is amazing how concerned we become with trivial matters, worries over mere nothings, when the glory of the world waits to speak to us. There is nothing in creation free from mystery if we look deep enough or long enough. Life takes place within the setting of a great miracle and we can derive endless delight from contemplation. (David Adam Love the World .)
Over the last few weeks I have posted short video prayers on Facebook and Instagram. These are prayers I find helpful to focus myself as I begin the day. I love to use the photos and videos I take to complement these prayers and find they enhance my delight in creation as they speak to me of God. Sometimes I just take a deep breath and sit quietly with my eyes closed while I listen to the prayer. At other times I find myself feasting on the images I captured in the video. The glory of God seems to shine through the images just as it does through the scene in creation. The collection of prayers is designed so that you can pause between prayers or bookmark a particular prayer that you want to use.
The quote from David Adam’s book Love the World revolved in my mind as I put together this collection of prayers today. It is not just the prayers that are refreshing, but also the images of God’s amazing and mysterious world. I hope you enjoy the prayers which are my gift of hospitality to you this week, but more than anything that you take time to get out into God’s good creation and enter into the mystery that is God, the mystery that inspires our prayers at all times.
How do we approach the world with gratitude and delight even in the midst of the most challenging situations? What if gratitude is more than an emotion? What can we do to bring more gratitude into our daily lives?
Enjoy 180 days of access to this popular online retreat with Christine Sine and Lilly Lewin as they grapple with those questions and more. This fun and interactive course will help you bring gratitude to your daily life and enjoy the upcoming season of gratitude. Check it out in our shop today!
A contemplative service with music in the spirit of Taize. Carrie Grace Littauer, prayer leader, with music by Kester Limner and Andy Myers.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-710-756.
“Seek Ye First” By Karen Lafferty Copyright 1972 Maranatha! Music
“Magnificat” Copyright and all rights reserved by GIA/Les Presses de Taizé
“The Law of God is Love” By Kester Limner, shared under the Creative Commons License, Attribution (CC-BY)
“By the Mark” Written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Thank you for praying with us! www.saintandrewsseattle.org
by Tom Sine, as originally published on his blog New Changemakers
People from London to South Africa are experiencing record heat waves. In my last post, I described how a number of churches in the US are offering air-conditioned spaces, with beverages, for those in their community who are at risk from unprecedented heat waves.
Thankfully President Biden & the US Congress and Senate have passed a historic bill to address the accelerating rate of global warming in the United States that is being recognized globally.
“The law directs $369bn toward investing in renewable energy and reducing America’s planet-heating emissions, marking the country’s most significant effort yet to combat the climate crisis. Experts have estimated the bill could reduce US emissions by about 40% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels, close to Biden’s goal of cutting emissions in half by the end of the decade.”
“Biggest Step Forward Ever…” The Guardian August 16, 2022
The Guardian was right. It was the “biggest step forward ever “ in the United States. However, given the alarming rates of global warming we not only need to open shelters in our churches, we also need to join people all over the US who are making serious changes in our personal lives to create a sustainable environment for our children and grandchildren.
Here is a list of 10 steps most of us could take to reduce our carbon footprint for Gen Next excerpted from a list provided by the Washington Post February 22, 2022:
1-Create less food Waste
“The environmental consequences of producing food that no one eats are massive. Keep a list of the food you have on hand and organize your refrigerator so you can keep track of what is inside.”
2-Ditch your grass
“Replacing grass with plants is among the most important ways to keep a yard eco-friendly. Laying down mulch is an easy place to start. It quickly kills grass and offers a blank canvas for planting.”
3-Save coral reefs by packing smartly for your beach vacation
“Skip sunscreens and toiletries that contain oxybenzone and other chemicals and opt for mineral-based products instead. And remember to pack a reusable water bottle, utensils and bag, so you can avoid single-use plastic.”
4. Shop sustainably by buying less
“In many situations, the “greenest” product you can buy is … nothing. Unless your purchase represents a significant upgrade from what you already own — say, swapping out your old gas-guzzling car for an electric vehicle — you are better off trying to refurbish or repurpose existing items than acquiring more stuff. Instead of buying paper towels, tear up old T-shirts to use as rags. Give your family’s discarded books and toys to younger children in your neighborhood. Build your own “circular economy” in your community and your home.”
5, Protect our Forests
“There are a number of groups that aim to help protect forests and old-growth trees. Joan Maloof, founder of the nonprofit Old-Growth Forest Network, said land trusts often buy and conserve land, and that the Land Trust Alliance runs findalandtrust.com to help connect people to organizations close to them.”
6. Trade in for an electric car
“One of the most powerful individual actions people can take against climate change is to change the way they get around… New electric vehicles can be expensive — even the most affordable have a suggested sale price between $30,000 and $40,000. But as more car manufacturers start producing EVs (General Motors has even said it will only make EVs by 2035), the cost of these cars is expected to come down.“
7. Weatherize your home
“Weatherization comes in many forms, but the easiest is closing up the cracks around windows and doors.”
8. Learn about the link between climate change and racial equality
“One study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are exposed to far more air pollution than they produce through actions such as driving and using electricity. In contrast, White Americans experience better air quality than the national average, even though their activities are the source of most pollutants.”
9. Consider carbon offset
“Without systemic changes in the way society functions — such as an electric grid powered completely by renewable energy or a food system that generates lower amounts of greenhouse gas emissions — it is pretty much impossible for a single person or even a large institution to go completely carbon-free.”
10. Pass it on
“Educating your peers is a great way to multiply your efforts. Share this article with your friends and family and help them take steps to make their lives a little more climate-friendly.”
This is your invitation to join people of faith who care deeply about both God’s good creation and our offspring who will value the significant difference we have made.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Did you know we have a resource for St Aidan’s Day?
Download now for free and enjoy these daily reflection prayer poems by Carol Dixon.
Also includes a music download for “A Special Place” by Carol Dixon! Check it out in our shop.
Editor’s Note: The following reflection is excerpted from the posts Embracing The Wild Hospitality of God and Meditation Monday – Planning to Store. The accompanying recipes are from the posts Curried Pumpkin and Blackbean Soup and My Favourite Apple/Blackberry Crisp. We hope you enjoy this series of seasonal hospitality reflections and recipes!
Part of the fun of autumn for me is getting fruit and vegetables that will see us through the winter ready to store. I hold apple processing parties and make apple pies, pesto and chocolate zucchini bread that go in the freezer for winter hospitality. I dry apples and tomatoes and sometimes figs. I harvest the dried beans and winter squash and store them away to help provide for our winter diet. What we need is food that will last through the long winter months without spoiling.
~ ~ ~
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke at a seminary class about spirituality and gardening. It was a fun class, but one question asked by a student keeps intruding in my mind. Didn’t God curse the creation after the fall? he asked, implying that it no longer reflected the glory of God and that we no longer needed to respect and look after it.
As I read through Genesis 3 which is the basis for this belief, I am struck by God’s amazing care for the humans who disobeyed him. Yes the ground was cursed (Gen 3:17-19), but it was not God who cursed it, it was the consequence of Adam’s sin. The natural created world was somehow affected by the human fall into sin and is therefore no longer paradise. Brambles and weeds grew. Human toil to produce food and care for creation increased. Nowhere however is there any implication that we are absolved from our responsibility to care for creation.
What has fascinated me in the last few weeks is a contemplation of the thorns, the thistles, and the weeds that seem to be a part of the consequences of the human fall. Some of them produce the most delicious and nutritious food we can eat, as we can see in this video
Take the humble dandelion for instance. Its leaves are often used in salads. Its root for medicinal tea and its flowers in jams and jelly. It helps break up the soil and draws nutrients up from deep within the soil. It is an amazing and valuable plant. Read more about dandelions and links to recipes here
Then there is the blackberry which grows wild prolifically throughout the Pacific NW. Its fruit blesses us with delicious pies and jams. Every year in August Tom and I travel to Mayne Island Canada with our Canadian friends Tom and Kim Balke, for a few days holiday. One of the delights of our trip is picking blackberries and wild apples to make blackberry apple crumble…
It seems to me that part of the curse we suffer from is our inability to recognize the abundance and hospitality of God in the garden that is our earth. God is a generous God who invites us to a banquet feast, not just in the eternal world to come but here in this world too. Often all we need to do is reach out and recognize the gift and accept God’s amazing hospitality.
~ ~ ~
Apple and Blackberry Crisp
Curried Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
INGREDIENTS:
– 2 each garlic, peeled
– 1 onion, peeled and quartered
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 4-5 lbs pumpkin
– 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
– 2 teaspoons hot curry powder
– 1 teaspoon turmeric
– Pinch of cayenne or chipotle
– Pepper
– 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
– Freshly ground pepper
– 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, shelled raw
– 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 2 cans lite coconut milk
– 1 1/2 cup dry white wine
– 2 cups dry black beans, cooked for 1 hour
METHOD:
1. Soak beans overnight in large saucepan. Cook until soft (about 1 hour). Set aside.
2. Place garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Set aside. Place jalapeno in food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
3. Slice pumpkin in large wedges, remove seeds & string. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet cut side down. Bake at 350 until the flesh is fork tender (about 1 1/2 hours). Peel pumpkin and puree half pumpkin. Cut remainder into small chunks. At the same time, cut onions into wedges, coat with oil and bake until brown and soft – about 1 1/2 hours. Set aside. Add onion to food processor. Pulse until fine. Alternatively, dice onion and cook in large stock pan until translucent.
4. Add all remaining ingredients except pumpkin seeds & parsley to the stock pan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook about 8 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a small sauté pan, heat remaining tbsp. of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pumpkin seeds and remaining 1/2 t salt and cook for about 30 seconds, shaking pan constantly to prevent burning, until all the seeds have popped. Remove from heat and add parsley.
6. Stir puree back into the soup. Adjust seasonings, and stir in the cream or yoghurt, if desired. We love to serve it with a big dollop of Greek yoghurt. Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds.
SERVINGS: 12
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In the States, summer is winding down and we are anticipating the beauty of Fall and cooler weather. For some the summer has been filled with more travel than in the past two years and more time with friends and family. For some who work in ministry, the summer is the busy time of year with camps and mission trips and special events. For some of us we are still exhausted, realizing that the pandemic is still lingering on and we have a lot less energy to “do all the things” than we did in the “before times.” I really think that we all have a lot less margin than we think we do. We need more down time and more time to recover from events and experiences because we are all out of practice with being together.
How has your summer been? Where have you seen God at work in your life? What things do you need to take time to remember and to CELEBRATE?
I think we need to be reminded to celebrate and rejoice in the good things that we’ve experienced in the last few months. We need to celebrate the “God Sightings” The places and times we’ve seen God at work around us. Even the little things like a beautiful flower or kids playing at the lake or in the pool.
TAKE A MOMENT AND MAKE A LIST OF WHAT YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR…THE THINGS THAT HAVE BROUGHT YOU JOY….THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER AND TO CELEBRATE!
Kids love to celebrate! Birthdays and holidays, learning to ride a bike, losing a tooth, doing something for the first time like whistling or jumping into the pool.
When you were a child, What things did you like to celebrate?
color forms
When you were little, what things did you like to play? What games or toys do you remember bringing you joy?
I loved playing outside. We had lots of kids in our neighborhood and I spent hours playing together. I had a tree house and a play house that we made into a spy club. I loved art and making things. There was a toy called “Color Forms” that I enjoyed and I loved making bugs with the “Creepy Crawler Kit. ” I also loved my barbie dolls. I turned a book case into a barbie house and used shoe boxes as bunk beds.
What kind of things do you think Jesus did for fun when he was a child?
Play involves freedom. It involves taking the time to find JOY. What things are stopping your joy ? What prevents you from playing now? Talk to Jesus about this.
creepy crawler molds
I want us to remember that childlike wonder of summer. To remember the laughter and fun of just being a kid. Take time to read this passage in the three versions. What do you notice? What stands out to you?
LUKE 18:15-17 NIV
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
LUKE 18:15-17 THE MESSAGE
15-17 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
LUKE 18: 15-17 NEW LIVING
15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
What is God, the Holy Spirit speaking to you about today?
What do you notice that you haven’t noticed before? What questions come up for you from this passage?
What part of this story do you relate to in your life right now? Are you feeling like the disciples, the parents, or the kids in this passage?
Why do we make it so hard for people to be with Jesus?
What qualities and gifts that children bring to the world? How can you recapture some of those qualities?
Jesus blesses children c.1570 Rijks
CHECK OUT THE ART: Look through this post featuring many artistic renderings of Jesus and the children
PRACTICE THIS:
What is one thing you can plan to do this week to help you PLAY and experience JOY? Could you go to a park and swing, play a favorite game, take a bike ride, skip rocks, skip rope, or just skip for fun…?
What form of play can you practice this week to help you connect with Jesus and the wonder of a child ?
Find some BUBBLES: As you blow your bubbles thank Jesus for all the gifts of this summer. As you blow your bubbles, Pray for your family and friends to experience more joy in the days ahead.
BUBBLES
LISTEN TO :
“Stay Gentle” by Brandy Carlile
WATCH CLIP from Episode 3 of Season 1 of THE CHOSEN:
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
The Gift of Play is one of the Gifts in The Gifts of a Sacred Summer Kit found at freerangeworship.com An 8 week interactive practice based kit for individuals, small groups and church communities.
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