Weekly Message from our Minister, Reverend Mary White
Good Day and Blessings
In this weeks newsletter, I thought I would begin by guiding you on a short inward journey through the practice of meditation.
If this is a good time for you, please take a comfortable sitting posture, and when you are ready ... become aware of this body-self that is you.
As you come to meditation today ... focus on your breath ... notice the pattern of your breathing ... as it moves in ... as it moves out ... notice how fast you are breathing ... notice whether you are breathing deeply or with shallow breaths ... notice where your body moves when you breathe ... is the movement in your chest or in your belly? ...
Watch your breathing for a few minutes and notice any changes that occur ... you may find that just attending to your breath will allow you to relax.
Think of the dark valleys you have walked through in life.
Give thanks for the grace to successfully walk through them.
Hold before God those known to you facing dark times.
Pray for all to overcome fear and hatred in our world.
Hold in the Light those who may ignorantly oppose God’s Love.
And then picture still waters. Fresh, clear, transparent, cleansing. Reflecting light.
Revealing what lies beneath. Stay in this place of peace, calm and God’s love throughout the day and week.
With Love,
Rev. Mary White
Reading: Psalm 23 • The Divine Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Please remember to Email Us your Photos and Captions to include in our Weekly Email Newsletter.
Poem by Thom M Shuman
Though I find myself sinking in the sea of stress and success, you buoy me with your living waters until I am at peace;
Though I run down endless corridors late for never-ending meetings, you detour me onto the walkways leading to your joy;
Though I stumble through the thorn bushes of a culture which seeks to tear my soul to shreds, you prepare a picnic in the garden of grace;
Though I am famished and mal nurtured from wandering the shadows you hand me a slice of life’s bread slathered with the sweet honey of hope;
Though I try to flee from the very life I convince myself I am seeking, you slow me down so goodness and mercy can catch up with me and push me into your heart.
If you are interested in joining Rev Mary and Grant for Sunday afternoon tea and conversations on Zoom, please contact Mary by email:
revmjwhite@hotmail.ca
Next PRUC Online Worship Service: Sunday, March 21st
We Have Some Heartwarming News
The Coldest Night's Walk-A-Thon proceeds are in.
The Powell River United Church will be donating $450.00 to the Salvation Army for their Outreach Programs.
Thank you to everyone that contributed, and thank you for Serving with Love.
Marilynn Davis
PRAYER
Shepherding One
You consistently embrace us with your loving care no matter the life challenges that draw us away from our faith. Keep us from listening to the competing, conflicting words that call to us. Open our hearts and minds so we hear Your still small voice that can make a difference in our lives. When our souls are dry by words spoken by others and have turned to fragments, be there to hand us a cup of cool, living water. As we journey through all those valleys filled with the shadows of hopelessness, weakness, loneliness, continue to remind us that we are forever loved, and we do not walk alone. We pray this in the name of goodness and mercy.
Amen