On Saturday, January 14, we held a Holy Rest Morning at The Common Place. Holy Rest Mornings* are half-day retreats offered for the women of southwest Philadelphia. Our focus was on “Walking Prayerfully into the New Year.” We set up a canvas labyrinth in the Greenway and are grateful to St. David’s Episcopal Church who loaned us the labyrinth.
We began our time together using the prayer practice of Lectio Divina to pray with Isaiah 43:19. “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” The women shared about the new thing that God was inviting them to in the new year and reflected on the possible need to let go of something in their lives or spirits to make room for God’s new thing.
During the next hour of “free time,” the women walked the labyrinth, participated in art options that were provided, spent time journaling, and added their prayer request “leaves” to the prayer tree. As we gathered around the labyrinth for our closing circle, we were all aware of the ways that the Holy Spirit had been present with us … meeting us right where we were and giving us what we needed.
Our time together was spirit-filled, full of connection with God and one another and a true blessing to all in attendance. Thanks be to God!
*We have been offering Holy Rest mornings three times a year (fall, winter and spring) since 2014. We meet from 9:30-1:00 and have times of prayer, reflection, fellowship and always lunch. These retreats are open to all women.
Our next Holy Rest Morning will be on Saturday, May 13, at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum. For more information or to register, please contact Buff Barnes, buff@thecommonplacephilly.org or 610.283.9848.
