Jun 15, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello friends,
Don’t worry, experiencing “enlightenment” is not a prerequisite for this week’s conversation! In fact, according to Dr. Andrew Newberg, there are two kinds of enlightenment: enlightenment with a “lowercase e,” which changes our opinions about the world, and Enlightenment with a “capital E,” which changes our essence — that is, how we think about life, death, and God.
This week we’ll watch the video linked above about the neuroscience of enlightenment and engage in a broader conversation about this “slippery concept.” Some questions to ponder:
- Is “enlightenment” just another name for experiencing God?
- Have you ever felt enlightenment as described in the video? Did it change you permanently, or was it a temporary change?
- How should someone feel about their faith or their sense of self if they never have a moment of enlightenment?
Our warm-up question for this week:
What’s your favorite song to sing when nobody else is listening?
See you soon,
Alex
May 12, 2022 | Mental Health Ministry, Prayer
Once again the Mental Health Leaders Group has a new batch of videos for you. The content is a little lighter than last time. This month we invite you to pray while walking, with children, after an argument, and with a simple art project when words are out of reach.
These prayers can accompany those who would like a companion or some guidance in their prayer time.
All of our Prayers on Demand videos can also be found on our website here: Prayers on Demand: A Way to Pray Together.
- “Shall We Go and Worship God?”: Rev. Meredith Heffner leads the children of St. James’ Children’s School in prayer. Join us with hand motions and an exuberant AMEN!
Are there other ways you would like to pray? Specific topics you’d like prayer videos for? Please let us know. Send email to Rev. James Isaacs at james@stjamespotomac.org.
+ + +
Find support and fellowship with “Stronger Together.” This St. James’ group meets Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. by Zoom to discuss a new mental health topic each week. Access to the meeting is shared on Thursdays in our weekly parish emails. Contact us to be added to the parish email list.
Dec 28, 2021 | Mental Health Ministry, Prayer, Video
January 6, 2022
Recently the St. James’ Mental Health Leaders Group thought it would be helpful to release some “on demand” prayer videos. These prayers can accompany those who would like a companion or some guidance in their prayer time. We are happy to pray with you.
Our hope is to release a batch of four prayer videos each month. This month we have three prayer videos from the Rev. James Isaacs, and one musical offering from Jeanne Lehning.
Our first video this month, “Night Prayer,” addresses the times when we want to fall asleep, but are kept awake by regrets and thoughts of the day. In this compline prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book, you are invited to release anxiety, regret, and fear to God, and to imagine a better morning.
Our second video, “Be still and know that I am God,” offers a repeated phrase, gradually decreasing into a single word, that is designed to slow and clear our minds. It concludes with a blessing by Rev. James Isaacs.
Our third video, “Veni Sancte Spiritus,” can be viewed whenever we are feeling alone. We ask God’s presence to be known to us with us in this familiar Taize chant, which means “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Finally, let us relax and feel God’s presence with music played by Jeanne Lehning on piano, recorder and flute: “The King of Love My Shepherd is.”
Are there other ways you would like to pray? Specific topics you’d like prayer videos for? Please let us know. Send email to Rev. James Isaacs at james@stjamespotomac.org.
