Prayer

Fr. Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. is a Trappist monk and priest, known as one of creators of Centering Prayer, a contemporary method of contemplative prayer, that I had the privilege learning about and practicing in my first year of seminary in Berkeley. You might find it strange that I did not really know or understand prayer until I began seminary. Until then, prayer was a ritual at mealtimes, in church and at night but meditative prayer was new to me. Centering prayer was easy to continue in the Quaker environment. Listening for inward leading is the essence of centering prayer. Father Keating affirms that though contemplative prayer moves one closer into the presence of the divine, however, he asserts that it is not of itself the transformative life changing experience; surrendering one’s ego, is the hard work of transformation. Watch the You Tube video, “Spiritual But Not Religious” with Fr. Thomas Keating and Ken Wilber.

Spiritual But Not Religious (Fr. Thomas Keating and Ken Wilber)
Spiritual But Not Religious

Prayer supports my inward connection to God, my loved ones, our community and our environment. Prayer begins with gratitude. Today, I am grateful for the rain, thankful for this day, for every moment that offers opportunity to act lovingly and kindly.

Rev. Judith Vadergrift offers this inspiration and Prayer for 7/22/12 posted in the worship on the Swedenborgian On-line Community, (see sidebar for the link)
Have you ever wondered what to do when life serves you Lemons?
The old saying is “Make Lemonade!”
I ask myself how to do that and the question takes me back to
basics……Prayer and Communion with the Lord.!!!
“Lord, When I’m tired, bring me inspiration and rest; When I’m stressed and resentful,
bring me calm and acceptance; When I am confused and chaotic bring me focus and clarity;
when I am lonely and lost bring me companions and love. Thank you Lord for your loving mercy
and direction, let me turn to you always in all times both good and bad. I know you are ever with me,
will direct my way with your sweet quiet voice, and light my path with your love. AMEN.”
Love,
Rev. Judith

You are invited to post a prayer or request a prayer.

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Gabriella was born in Budapest Hungary. Some of her family still resides in Hungary. After escaping the Communist regime in the aftermath of the 1956 Revolution, Gabriella's family settled in Cleveland OH. She graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and attended college but did not earn a degree. She met her husband in Devon PA, and soon they were married and began family life in PA. Only a few years married, John and Gabriella moved to FL to be with Gabriella's aging parents. Two o their three children were born Florida. After the children began school, Gabriella volunteered in schools and libraries. Her love for swimming drew her into the world of aquatics. Part time coaching jobs evolved into career aquatic management. Her children out of the home, Gabriella worked full time as an aquatic manger, coach and swim instructor. In 2001, John and Gabriella's plans to ease into retirement in Tucson changed drastically when John suffered a heart attack in 2002. John’s amazing recovery after bypass surgery allowed Gabriella to seek a new career. It was a life changing experience for both of them. Gabriella returned to school at the University of AZ and John took over household responsibilities. A shift occurred in their lives. Gabriella felt called to become a spiritual care provider. Preparing for seminary, she chose interdisciplinary program, combining Psychology, Family and Religious Studies. She graduated with honors in 2006. Gabriella and John moved to Berkeley for her to begin seminary at the Pacific School of Religion. Gabriella was accepted on the ordination track in the Swedenborgian Church of North America. Her goal was to becoming a chaplain. John's health crisis necessitated a move from Berkeley back to Tucson in 2008. Gabriella transferred to Earlham School of Religion to complete the Master’s program. In her senior year, working in required Supervised Ministry, Gabriella created a dual ministry; Circle Community, a sharing, praying and studying support group and worked as a crisis advocate in Tucson area hospitals. Most of her family was present in Cincinnati OH when Gabriella was ordained in July 2012. In July of 2011 she was ordained in the Swedeborgian Church and accepted a call to be the pastor of the New Church of Southwest FL. Soon after her ordination Gabriella accepted a call to become the pastor to the New Church of Southwest FL in 2011. John, a VA patient needed comprehensive medical care unavailable in Fort Myers. For Gabriella ministry begins at home. Once again new a health crisis changed their life. They moved back to Tucson AZ. Back in Tucson, Gabriella found ministry opportunities with Circle Community, did workshops and conducted weekly Prayer Meditations at Rincon U.C.C. She completed a course in Spiritual Direction at the Hesychia School for Spiritual Direction. In mid October 2012, Gabriella began to work as a Chaplain for Harmony Hospice. The job all she had expected. She found great satisfaction working with patients and their families. Gabriella left the per diem position with Harmony for a full time job with Valor HospiceCare. Here too, she worked with grieving families, conducted grief support groups and lead Community Memorial services during the same time that her husband's health was spiraling downwards. Gabriella resigned her job to care for John in the last months of his life. John died in April 2014. Life became chaotic. An intense search a chaplain position in Tucson and other parts of the country was unsuccessful. Peers suggested Gabriella look into open churches with the Swedenborgian Church. She candidated in Kansas with two churches. She was called to pastor the Pretty Prairie and Pawnee Rock churches in July 2014. A new life began with the move to rural Kansas. In August 2014, Gabriella began to serve as the Pastor of the two churches.

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