
Subversive Undercroft #179: the Essential Spark
We look back on our episode devoted to prayer.
We look back on our episode devoted to prayer.
Luci and Jordan look into the life of the royal saint, Margaret, called the Pearl of Scotland
“The beauty of the light that is life is like rainbow snow crystals, and it sets our hearts soaring with joy. ‘Glory,” says John, and “grace upon grace.'”
“As we go walk the Christmas season and look forward to Epiphany, let us remember to give to others. It doesn’t necessarily have to be money or tangible goods; it can be a simple welcoming smile or hug, listening, helping with rides to doctor’s appointments, or meeting whatever need might present itself.”
One thing at least we should get from Heraclitus, which is backed up by human experience: peace is hard work. It’s not what naturally happens when we just stop being nasty to each other. If there is an alternative to a world built on a balance of competing opposites, it is one built on patient peace-making. I hope for a harmony which comes from people realising that their different needs are not dissonances but resonances.
“Our time here, even pre-pandemic, is difficult, painful, too short and too long, with glimpses of joy in between. This Christmas has the possibility of reminding us what life and effort, and the birth of a Savior showing us a better way was meant to be. “
From their websites it appears all three Episcopal dioceses in the state — East Tennessee, Tennessee, and West Tennessee — allow in-person worship with precautions, although West Tennessee this week further limited in-person worship to 10 persons.
“Christmas is about hope. Christmas is about faith—faith in God and in each other. Christmas is about love. Love in action. Love found sleeping in a manger, leading us to the way of life we were meant to live from the beginning.”
“We’re making sure that there are opportunities online through Facebook, through Instagram, really every tool that is available becomes for us a way for us to minimize isolation, and to maximize a sense of community.” Diocese of Maine Episcopal Bishop Thomas Brown said.
“This question helped focus me and quell the overwhelming nature of my work, but more importantly it grounded that work in God. It required me to say, “Here I am”, minute to minute, hour by hour and day after day.”