Centering Prayer

I just visited a Centering Prayer group in my town. I expected it to feel like going to Meeting, but it was different in very subtle ways. In Centering Prayer you repeat a word or phrase that helps you become receptive to God. It was harder than simply waiting at Meeting; maybe I let my mind drift too much during Meeting? I could also feel my body relax, which doesn't happen during Meeting for Worship.

The issue I'm dealing with personally, is how to deal with prayer and my children. Most people who pray talk to their children about it, and sharing it with their children, but in my own case I am reluctant. I was raised in a very rigid Catholic tradition and I'm wary about teaching my kids to pray. It's not something they will do on their own, though. We do talk about spiritual topics, philosophy, and God, a little bit, but beyond grace at mealtime, and Meeting, that's it.

The Cotton Patch Gospel

Our family, and many others from our Meeting, went to a wonderful production of the Cotton Patch Gospel last night, at Edenton Methodist Church in Raleigh. It's version of the Gospel of Matthew updated to take place in Georgia. I'll post more details soon... unfortunately the program did not give any details about the performers but I'll find out and post those soon. The band was the Shady Grove bluegrass band, and they were amazing. The single actor/narrator was also an astonishing and very physical actor with a good voice, who is a divinity student at Duke.

Membership (Gulp!)

I've taken the step of asking for membership in the Society of Friends. This is a big step for me; please hold me in the Light.