During Lent our focus will be on reclaiming the gift of reconciliation. Reconciliation can encompass our relationships with each other, our fellow humans, the rest of creation, and (of course) God. One of the primary ways we can move into reconciliation is by quieting our minds and really listening to ourselves and allowing God to speak to us.

I've recently been reading a marvelous book, Beginning Contemplative Prayer that introduces a number of contemplative practices, discusses their history, and invites readers to "try them on." There is even a five-week guided plan for growth in prayer. I'll be using this myself during Lent, and I commend it to you as well (there's even an iPhone app for it!) I'll be blogging about my progress here.

There is a group guide as well, so it might be something several small groups would want to read together during Lent.

In the sanctuary during Lent we will have several contemplative prayer stations set up: praying with icons, the Anglican rosary, drawing labyrinths, and others. They will be available for use before and after Sunday service, and before and after Wednesday evening. Also, on Wednesday evening I will be doing some teaching around various forms of contemplative prayer and leading people in the practice of them.

I hope many of you will join me in adding a contemplative practice as part of your Lenten discipline.