I find the images of the desert and the market place speak to me very
powerfully of my need for withdrawal, for times of solitude and silence and contemplative prayer, while at the same time I am engaged in all the noise and
pressures of ordinary daily living. If I am to survive all the demands that a
busy, active life makes upon me, then I must make sure that I also take
seriously the demands which a contemplative life of prayer makes. The two must
somehow be held together. Prayer is the anchor which brings the inner strength
to my daily activity; my daily activity informs that prayer and anchors it in
the reality of today's world.
Esther De Waal (p101 in Living with Contradiction.)
It has been a while, there has however been a few days with Marva Dawn out and down in Dunedin; conversations and soundings; discerning some worship beginnings; time withother leadership; learning new and deeper lessons...managing my fatigue. So the above quote is a good summary and focus for the posture in mission.
Next week we begin a weekly am/pm 7.15-7.45 quiet, prayer space on Wednesdays. The intention is to provide in our communities the space for quiet, reflection and prayer in the midst of the week's activities and demands. I hope it will also be that prayerful place that engages in real issues. All part of our learning and a vital part of our mission task here.
