What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Week 1, Friday: The Intimacy of “Our” – Being Part of God’s Family Scripture: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven…’” (Matthew 6:9) As we continue our Lenten journey, we pause today to reflect on a small but powerful word in the Lord’s Prayer: “Our.” This single word shifts the focus of our prayer from individual concerns to a communal faith. Jesus did not teach us to pray “My Father” but “Our Father,” drawing us into the profound truth that faith is not a solitary path but a shared pilgrimage. The word “Our” emphasizes ...

Week 1, Thursday: “Our Father in heaven” – Who is God as Father? Scripture: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven…’” (Matthew 6:9) In the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus invites us to address God as “Our Father in heaven.” This address is both profound and revolutionary, reshaping our understanding of who God is. Today, we are invited to contemplate what it truly means to call God “Father” and to reflect on the nature of this relationship. To call God “Father” is to recognize His active, caring involvement in our lives. Unlike earthly ...

Week 1, Ash Wednesday: Introduction to Lent and The Lord’s Prayer Scripture: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’” (Matthew 6:9) Lent is upon us—a season set aside for reflection, repentance, and renewal. It invites us into a time of intentional focus on our spiritual lives, to look inward, and to take a hard but healing look at where we need to change. Ash Wednesday, the first day of this sacred journey, is particularly poignant. We begin this season by receiving ashes on our foreheads, reminding ourselves of our ...

Introduction. Prayers for Renewal: A Journey Through the Lord’s Prayer Tomorrow, as we begin the season of Lent, we invite you to embark on a journey of spiritual renewal through prayer. Join us for a special daily reflection series, “Prayers for Renewal: A Journey Through the Lord’s Prayer,” where we will explore the powerful words that Jesus taught His disciples. Lent is a time for deepening our relationship with God, turning our hearts back to Him in repentance, and preparing for the celebration of Easter. In this series, we will walk through the Lord’s Prayer phrase by ...

Today, as we observe Ember Day in the Anglican Church, we are called to reflect on and pray for those journeying towards ordination, discerning their vocation, and all who serve in ordained ministry. It is a moment to contemplate the sacredness of ministry and the divine call that brings people forward to serve the Church. The collect for today speaks directly to this journey. It reminds us of our shared calling in the ministry of Christ, our Great High Priest. As the prayer says: “Heavenly Father, you have entrusted to your Church a share in the ministry of your Son ...

Matthew 22:1-14 is the parable of the wedding banquet, where Jesus tells the story of a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son. The invited guests refuse to come, and some even mistreat the king’s servants. In response, the king invites everyone—both good and bad—until the banquet hall is filled. Yet, when the king notices a man without wedding clothes, he is cast out into the darkness. In the South African context, this parable speaks powerfully to the issues of exclusion, justice, and the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom. South Africa is a ...

Grahamstown, South Africa – A group of seminarians from the College of Transfiguration is cultivating more than just plants in their community. Embracing the call to be Green Anglicans, they have initiated a community food garden as a tangible expression of their faith and commitment to serving those in need. The project, driven by a desire to address food insecurity and create a sustainable food source, is a testament to the seminarians’ understanding of their future role as parish priests. As members of the clergy, they recognize the importance of caring for both their congregation and the environment. The garden is ...

Reflecting on Hosea 11:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, and Matthew 10:7-15 Today’s Bible readings reveal God’s deep love and compassion for us, even when we stray. As we reflect on Hosea 11:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, and Matthew 10:7-15, we are invited to experience God’s mercy and respond by showing love and kindness to others. We also remember Saint Benedict of Monte Cassino, whose life of service inspires us to live our faith in practical ways. God’s Love in Hosea 11:1-9 In Hosea 11:1-9, God speaks tenderly about His love for Israel ...

The story of “Doubting Thomas,” as he’s often called, comes up every year on St. Thomas Day. It’s a story in the Bible (John 20:24-29) that speaks to all of us, even if we’re not familiar with the characters. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, misses the first sighting of Jesus after he comes back from the dead. When the others tell him they’ve seen Jesus, Thomas says he won’t believe it unless he can see Jesus’ wounds for himself, even put his finger in them! Thomas gets a bad rap for doubting, but maybe ...

Post 1 of 5. Hello everyone! My name is Vanda, and I’m thrilled to be starting this blog series about my journey in seminary formation for ministry. Many of you might be curious about what leads someone to pursue this path, and the truth is, it’s a unique experience for everyone. Today, I want to talk about the initial call and the anxieties that come with entering the crucible of formation. The Call: From Seeds of Service to a Burning Bush The call to serve wasn’t a sudden revelation. It was more like a seed planted early ...

Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ, is a beautiful feast that celebrates the enduring gift of Holy Communion. As we gather to partake in this sacred meal, Scripture offers profound insights into its significance. In Exodus 24:3-8, Moses recounts the covenant God established with the Israelites. They agree to follow God’s laws, and the covenant is sealed with a sacrificial meal – a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice to come. Centuries later, Psalm 116:11-17 echoes this theme. The Psalmist declares, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,” recognizing the ...

The echo of cheers still hangs in the air, a fading memory from yesterday’s celebration. Palm fronds, once vibrant symbols of hope, now lie scattered on the dusty ground, their green already tinged with brown. We walk beside Jesus, a heavy silence pressing down where excitement crackled just a day ago. The joy of Palm Sunday feels like a dream – a beautiful, fleeting dream that leaves you a little lost when you wake up. The bright Jerusalem sunshine that cast hope on the city walls seems to mock us now. We can still almost hear the cheers of the ...

The weight of knowledge, the burden of responsibility, the ever-present hum of doubt. These are just some of the feelings that may accompany your journey as a theological student, or even in other institutions where deep reflection and purpose-driven pursuits take center stage. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, to question your place, and to wonder if the path you’ve chosen is the right one. But take a deep breath, dear friend. You are not alone. Throughout history, countless individuals have wrestled with the same anxieties and uncertainties as you. From prophets grappling with divine messages to philosophers seeking ...

As we celebrate World Wetlands Day, it’s fitting to turn our gaze to scripture, for the Bible paints a vivid picture of these life-giving landscapes. In the very first book, Genesis, we encounter the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters, bringing forth creation. Water becomes a symbol of life, renewal, and God’s creative power. We see this echoed in Psalm 104, where the psalmist praises God for “sending springs into the valleys, to flow between the mountains” (v.10). These “springs” and “valleys” are, in essence, the wetlands – teeming with life, nourishing the land ...

Seeds in Shallow Soil: Finding Fertile Ground

As we gather together in this season of Advent, we dive into the words of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13, verses 24-37. 24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.[a] 26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man[b] coming on the clouds with great power and glory.[c] 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over ...

On this blessed All Saints Day, we gather to celebrate the communion of saints, the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. And the saints among us, striving to live out the beatitudes as we embrace the teachings of St. Francis. Revelation 7:9-17 reminds us of the countless saints from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the Lamb. They wear white robes, symbolizing their purity and dedication to God’s ways. As Franciscans, we seek to imitate their holiness by living lives of simplicity, love, and service to all. Psalm 34:1-10, 22 calls us to ...

Mental health is a precious gift that deserves our care and attention. In the midst of life’s challenges, we often find solace in the words of Psalm 23:1-3. This blog post explores the significance of these verses and offers practical tips for nurturing our mental well-being. Verse in Focus: Psalm 23:1-3 (New Living Translation) ???? “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.” The Shepherd’s Care for Mental Health: In these verses, we find a beautiful metaphor of ...

On this beautiful first day of Spring, I’d like to share a reflection on renewal, a theme that transcends individuals and touches the very essence of life itself. Spring is a season that symbolizes renewal, rebirth, and hope. As the cold of winter recedes, and nature awakens in a burst of color and vitality, we are reminded of the profound truth that no matter how harsh the previous season has been, there is always the promise of a new beginning. In the Bible, the concept of renewal is beautifully encapsulated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “Therefore, if ...

In the quiet moments of life, where the threads of spirituality, creativity, and passion intertwine, we find our true purpose. It’s a journey that often requires a leap of faith, but in that leap, we discover the most profound and beautiful aspects of ourselves. The Leap of Faith: Taking a leap of faith is not merely a physical act; it’s a spiritual one. It’s trusting that there’s a plan beyond our understanding, a purpose that guides us even when the path seems unclear. Just like a quilt begins with individual pieces stitched together to create something ...