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logo: Hungryhearts

PCUSA Spiritual Formation —
Hungryhearts


Volume 18, Number 3
Extreme Spirituality
"Some people have an extraordinary capacity for adventure and find their greatest awareness of God’s presence through physical exertion. Eric Liddell (“Chariots of Fire”) was such a person. Liddell says, “I believe that God made me for a purpose… but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Contributors to this issue of Hungryhearts relate stories of finding a spiritual connection with God through pushing the body to extremes. At times the rigorous physical challenge is by choice, but at times it is imposed on us by unavoidable circumstances. In either case, it affords a moment of spiritual clarity and grace."
- quoted from PCUSA Hungryhearts web page.
Please visit them here.



logo: The Spirituality Book Club

"www.spiritualbookclub.com is an on-line global community of kindred spirits who explore spirituality through books, music, discussion, and ways to get involved in changing the world for the better. It's a spiritual home on the web. . . we ask about the book, "What new insight has it given you about life?" If it is a good book, chances are it contains at least one new thing to work over in your brain about how life and your spirituality is configured. " - from site's web page.

Join the
Spirituality Book Club
— a discussion group, which is led by Rev. Susan Baller-Shepard. The group meets in the Community Room of the Bloomington Public Library 205 E. Olive St., Bloomington, IL 61702 — on the second Sunday of each month - 1:30 - 3:30 PM.

Spirituality Book Club
dates for 2010:

March 14 - April 11
May 9 - June 13


Please visit the Spiritual Book Club Blog: Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality here.

 


Spiritual Journey Ministries

drawing of labyrinth path


Prayer on your Personal Journey
in the Labyrinth and Chapel


— To schedule use, call the church office 217.528.4311.

There are no short and easy answers to our questions about God.
Some are taking time from busy schedules to allow their questions to lead personal, spiritual journeys for answers. To aid in the quest, all are welcome to schedule the Chapel and/or Labyrinth for prayer and meditation.

Many find the small, intimate space of the Chapel a worshipful place. Its Georgian Colonial Style is enhanced with stained glass, which portray missionaries who have embarked on their own spiritual quests of listening for, and responding to, God's call. One is Sheldon Jackson, who established several schools in the Arctic Circle, including an industrial school now known as Sheldon Jackson College. He is a hero to the Eskimo people for addressing starvation brought on by unrestricted whaling and slaughter of seal and walrus.

The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool for praying, familiar to many Christians and many cultures. It incorporates a slow walk to the center and out again, representing life as a journey. Some people use this prayer tool to ask for healing, others to bring questions to God with this tool of listening prayer. The labyrinth is located in the basement of the educational building, and can be lighted with dozens of red votive candles that are placed along the path.

Other resources — Consider using the book listed below for a personal spiritual study. Join the Spirituality Book Club, listed in the right column of this page.

Please visit the labyrinth page on our website — linked here.


 
   

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© First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois . 321 South 7th Street . Springfield, IL 62701 . tele: 217.528.4311 . fax: 217.528.0768
photos by Chris Young and Pamela Hayes | some images© 2006 JupiterImages Corporation
Updated March 5, 2010

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