It’s time to do a lap around the Sacred Arts Ring and see what treasures we find there.  First, a warm welcome to our two newest ring members: Instruments of Worship and Carrot Top Studio.
For those of you still basking in the celebration of love last Thursday, go visit Jacq’s Fibers and scroll down for a […]

Posted in Sacred Arts Web Ring | 4 Comments »

I finally got myself some software to create my own PDF files.  Not sure what took me so long, except that I always thought I had to buy the expensive Adobe software, but then discovered a much more economical alternative in ScanSoft.  I am working on creating some registration forms for programs, here are three handy […]

Posted in Offerings | 5 Comments »

Into the Wild
The cancer began so small,
just a hummingbird
caught in the house.
It could be gently removed
without much fuss,
flying from the window, opened.
But, a whole other nest was found.
Hiding in the corner,
this cancer was not so innocent.
As the eggs cracked
and babies grew,
they brought a frenzy and chaos within.
Although these were
just small wrens,
the surgeon wielded his knife.
Poison […]

Posted in Photos, Poetry, Visual Meditation | 10 Comments »

This week’s interview is with artist Tim Mooney. I first met Tim five years ago when he audited a class I co-taught through the San Francisco Theological Seminary on “Freeing the Imagination: Creativity as Christian Spiritual Practice.”  The course was funded by the Practicing Our Faith project and was an exciting opportunity to journey with […]

Posted in Sacred Artist Interview | 11 Comments »

How refreshing a Sabbath day can be.  I feel a little more spaciousness in my soul, more light-heartedness about the work I still have to do. I spent much of the day lounging in pajamas and reading through some books I have had sitting on my shelf calling to me. (Does it count as work if […]

Posted in Abbey Bookshelf | 4 Comments »

A couple of weeks ago, in my interview with Heather Williams Durka, she used a phrase to describe her work as an artist that has stayed with me: “Serving the Mysteries.”  I was really entranced by that image, because for me the spiritual journey is not so much about growing in certainty as it is about learning […]

Posted in Creativity, Lent | 8 Comments »

The winner of this week’s Poetry Party random drawing is Micaela McCauley!  Seems appropriate, perhaps she will share the prize with her mother?  Micaela, email me and let me know whether you’d like a set of Discernment Prayer Cards or Grief Prayer Cards.
Thanks again to everyone who participated.  It is such a joyful part of […]

Posted in Fun | 2 Comments »

What, gazing on the garden of the world, does the heart desire? 
-Hafiz

(Photos from top to bottom:  Deer on the San Juan Islands (taken by my husband), seagull on the Dingle Peninsula, horse on the Aran Islands, ladybug in the Killarney Forest, cow near Newgrange, and of course Abbess Petunia on the bottom.  All photos except […]

Posted in Visual Meditation | 11 Comments »

I wrote about meeting Miska for the first time a couple of weeks ago.  She extended a very warm hospitality to me.  I really enjoyed talking with her and getting to know the artist behind the beautiful artwork I have admired for so long now.  When she told me she was teaching a painting class, I […]

Posted in Sacred Artist Interview | 10 Comments »

I love Ash Wednesday.  We have so few rituals that are quite so earthy.  Everyone is welcome to come and receive those ashes on the forehead, that reminder that we are from dust and to dust we shall return.  It doesn’t strike me as morbid in the least, but a compelling reminder of the preciousness […]

Posted in Monastic Spirituality, Lent, Abbey Bookshelf | 7 Comments »