Page 34 - Presbyterian Connection – Spring 2021

34
PRESBYTERIAN
SPRING 2021
presbyterian.ca
Drawing Closer to God with a “Rule of Life”
Connection
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
&
Pandemic Holy
Practices
Habits
Rule of Life
By Canadian Ministries
While the pandemic has forced us to be physically distant from one an- other, it has also shown us how im- portant it is to be spiritually close to each other and God. Knox Presbyte- rian Church in Toronto, Ont., realized early on during COVID-19 that people needed help drawing closer to God and the Christian community when their habitual ways of doing so—at- tending worship and faith gatherings in person—were no longer possible.
Drawing on the Rule of Life, an ancient Christian tradition based on weaving spiritual practices into the rhythms and routines of life, the Session launched an online ministry program to knit the community to- gether through common practices. The leaders of this initiative describe it as, “the way we choose to live the life of Jesus together.”
For the Knox community this means: • a set of common practices that shape daily and weekly living;
• prioritizing relationships;
• practicing saying “no” to things to enable a stronger “yes” to Je-
sus;
• being open to God’s shaping
power.
In essence, the Rule of Life is a sup-
port structure that empowers those par ticipating to grow more like Jesus by living a God-focused life rooted in the beauty and mystery of the gospel. While Knox is doing this as a group, it can be something that individuals do on their own, as well. Here are the steps to follow to craft a Rule of Life.
Step 1: Questions
If you are curious about adopting a Rule of Life in 2021, here are a few questions that will help you get star ted:
1. Where do I feel closest to God?
2. Are there practices that I engage in (e.g., silent prayer, singing, walking, having spiritual con- versations with friends) opening
me to God’s presence?
3. What are my current practices?
4.What practices pique my inter-
est that I have not yet explored? 5. What areas would I like to change in my life (e.g., finding more time to spend in God’s Word, recognizing that I am a beloved child of God, develop- ing greater generosity, serving
God’s people)?
Step 2: Explore Different Spiritual Practices
After reflecting on these questions, create a list of spiritual practices that you feel drawn to. Here are some practices you might consider, but you can also find many others in the resource listed at the bottom of this ar ticle:
• Memorizing the psalms
• Reading diverse theological
works • Fasting
• Spending time in silence • Walking prayers
• Labyrinth walking
• Daily scripture reading
• Finding a prayer partner • Serving others
• Journaling
• Offering forgiveness
• Singing/listening to sacred or praise music
Step 3: Committing to Specific Practices
After you have spent time prayerfully considering different options, you can commit to three to five practices that you will adopt for an extended period of time. Here is an example of what a Rule of Life might look like:
On a daily basis I commit to:
• Reading scripture for twenty
minutes
• Going for a prayer walk
• Listening to the local Christian
music station when I drive in my car
On a weekly basis I commit to:
• Giving generously to my church and organizations whose work I
suppor t
• Memorizing one psalm
On a monthly basis I commit to:
• Taking a media break one day a
month
Everyone’s Rule of Life will be dif- ferent. The key is to practice it faith- fully. As you engage in these prac- tices on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, pay attention to the way that
God is working in your life through them. Is your relationship with Jesus Christ growing? Are you able to walk more faithfully on the path God has set before you? The answers to these questions from those who have al- ready been practicing the Rule of Life consistently will be yes and yes.
To learn more about the Rule of Life: • Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
• Knox Presbyterian Church’s
Rule of Life website:
habituscommunity.org
• Fuller Formation’s Rule of Life
course: formation.fuller.edu
Knox Presbyterian Church’s Rule of Life online program was supported through The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s Innovation Grant. To learn more about various funding opportunities, visit presbyterian.ca/funds.
A Covid Christmas at St. Andrew’s Calgary
One of four mitten trees.
By Fiona Swanson, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta.
Christmas at St. Andrew’s Presbyte- rian Church in Calgary, Alta., came
without ribbons and without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags...
Well, it actually came with all of those, but up until days before Christ- mas, we weren’t sure what was going to happen as we waited for decisions from the government as to whether we could get together or not. While had plan A, B and C—and perhaps we ended up doing plan Z—what I do know is that the Spirit was upon us as we welcomed God Incarnate.
The Incarnation by Adam Ham- ilton and its resources were used in various ways. A Bible study was held two days a week, in advance of worship. An Advent Devotion Booklet was created based on scripture from the study, which went out to every household in the congregation. Each
package also included a 3D-printed Advent Nativity wreath.
The youth, on behalf of TheCreek, a ministry of St. Andrew’s, placed “Mitten Trees” around Southwest Calgary to provide donation opportu- nities, and also allowed those in need to pick items off the tree.
On Christmas Eve, we had a terrific family service, where families told part of the Christmas story from their homes. We had a Lego stop-action movie, acting, singing and narration by people of all ages. Families then met online to light their candles and sing “Silent Night” together.
The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services were about welcom- ing the “Light of the World” and the blessing of family, especially our “Family of God.”
On December 26, we began the “12 Days of Sharing,” where we adapted the song to be a checklist of donated items needed to create food hampers: On the first day of Christmas, I will share with those in need...one bag of pet feed... On the second day of Christmas, I will share with those in need...two bottles of salad dressing... And so on.
In closing our Advent/Christmas/ Epiphany season, we had an online Service of Light for a dark world on the evening of the Epiphany.
Like the Grinch, COVID-19 could not steal Christmas: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t thought of before. What if Christmas means a little bit more?”
Christ incarnated in us so that we may bring his light to the world!
Advent devotional and 3D-printed Nativity.
Online Service of Light.