Tag Archives: Labyrinth

music, Prayer, St Mark's Church

Exploring Prayer

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Join us for a series on different types of prayer on Wednesday evenings at St Mark’s, Upper Hale, at 7.30pm.

Over the next five weeks we will be exploring prayer in the following ways:

September 27th – The Power of Music – led by Lesley Shatwell (see picture below)

October 4th – Centering Prayer – led by Margaret Bowers

October 11th – Labyrinth – led by Michelle Chapman

October 18th – Mindfulness – led by Suzette Jones

October 25th – Daily Prayer – led by Lesley Crawley

All welcome. Contact Rev’d Stella Wiseman for further details.

News Releases, Prayer, worship

Embodied worship

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This month we are starting an Embodied Worship series which will help us experience the practice of our faith through our bodies. We will start with an invitation to go outdoors in the early evening of Thursday, September 15. We will meet in Farnham Park, at the entrance from Oast House Lane, from 7pm and spend some time simply being outside, listening, touching, smelling, seeing, even tasting the world around us.

In subsequent weeks there will be the chance to walk a labyrinth, discover journalling, try some multi-sensory prayer, make some bread and share it, and have a taster of Tai Chi.

Embodied worship reminds us that we are physical creatures and that everything we experience is through our bodies. Even our thoughts come through our bodies – our brains are physical parts of us. The rituals we use, our movements, the processes by which we respond to God, are all embodied and we worship an incarnate God, for God took flesh in an entirely radical way and was born in a human body.

For details, contact Stella Wiseman, revd.stella@badshotleaandhale.org, 07842 761919.

Ascension Day, Pentecost, Prayer

Prayer Stations at Home

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During the period of Thy Kingdom Come, we are asking people if they can create prayer stations at home and send them to us (news@badshotleaandhale.org)

Here is one which Michelle Chapman has made – a finger labyrinth with instructions which we have reproduced below.

Praying with the finger labyrinth

  • Draw your labyrinth (start with the purple cross, then the red right angles, finally the dots. Start with the top of the cross and join up to the next line with a curve. Follow the pattern, I have made it easier to follow by using different colours)
  • There is only one way in and out of the labyrinth.

Once prepared

  • Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths, allow yourself to feel Gods presence.
  • When you are ready very slowly enter the labyrinth using your least dominant index finger and slowly follow the path to the centre. Allow your thoughts to surface, remembering that Jesus is with you all the way. Release all your thoughts and tensions on the winding journey.
  • When you reach the centre just rest a while with God and have a conversation. If you are finding lockdown difficult explain. Also think about the good things about lockdown and say thank you.

Coming out of the Labyrinth

  • When you are ready to exit the Labyrinth follow the same path joyfully. You can sing a song or hymn say a psalm or an uplifting poem or say the Lord’s prayer.
  • As you reach the exit give thanks and praise to God.
Events, Services, St John's Church, St Mark's Church

Prayer… but not what you might expect

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Join us this weekend as we focus on prayer in many, varied and perhaps unexpected ways.

On Saturday, February 29th and Sunday, March 1st, the three churches in the parish of Badshot Lea and Hale will be offering opportunities to join in different sorts of prayer, ranging from eating pastries to going for a walk, from Welsh prayer, music and cakes to creativity in God’s presence.

The focus is on simply being with God and listening to God, trying to discern what God wants for our churches and community and what our part is in this.

There will be a labyrinth at St Mark’s, Alma Lane, GU9 0LT, and prayer stations in all three churches (St Mark’s; St George’s in Badshot Lea, GU9 9LD; and St John’s, Hale Road, GU9 9RP) and you are invited to call in and pray during the weekend*.

Then join in any or all of the following:

Saturday

9.30am: Pastries and Prayer – Join us for a prayer breakfast at St Mark’s and walk the labyrinth.
10.30am: Guided Mindfulness at St Mark’s.
3-5pm: Welsh prayer, Welsh harp music and Welsh cakes and tea at St John’s.
7pm: Candlelit service of prayer and a vigil at St John’s. Stay for as long as you want.

Sunday

2pm: Prayer walk, starting at St George’s. Walk between all three churches or join in at St John’s from around 2.30pm and St Mark’s from about 3pm.
3-4pm: Prayer and Art and Craft at St Mark’s. Create in the presence of God. Art and craft materials will be available but you are welcome to bring your own – eg knitting, crochet, clay etc
4.30pm: Come to St George’s and join a Benedictine Office of Readings with psalms, prayers, readings and meditation.
6pm: The weekend will finish with Taizé at St John’s.

 

*St John’s will be open from 9am on Saturday until the end of the Vigil and from 9.15am until after Taizé on Sunday. St George’s will be open on Saturday 9am-4pm and until after the Office of Readings on Sunday. St Mark’s will be open on Saturday 9.15am until noon and Sunday afternoon until 4pm.

 

labyrinth

Walk a labyrinth at St Mark’s.
Top picture by Chirag k, Unsplash