Contemplative Practices

Many of us often mark the Lenten season with season-specific devotionals and contemplative practices. We have a number of resources available at church, as well as links to other resources available online.

Edouard Manet "The Funeral" ca. 1867

Kate Bowler (author of Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved) writes some of the most heartachingly beautiful daily reflections for Advent and Lent. This year, she has made her daily reflections and devotionals available for free on her Substack, which you can access here.

There are a number of free resources from the ELCA as well. The first is from the ELCA Homeless & Justice Network. Their resource, "Beauty for Ashes", can be downloaded here. We are happy to print copies upon request.  For those who want to specifically engage with the ELCA's World Hunger initiative, there are a variety of resources available here--including a Lenten calendar and an action guide. 

From our series, Unbound: Longing for Wholeness, we have a set of weekly practices and reflection questions. Hard copies are available at church, with the digital file attached at the bottom of the page.

Salt Project has a number of individual-use resources available for purchase here. 

Image of a prayer labyrinth sticker designed by Illustrated Children's Ministry

You can pick up your own mini-labyrinth at church. We have stickers—like the image to above—as well as paper copies. To learn more about the practice of praying the labyrinth, click here.

Tsh Oxenreider's gorgeous new book, Bitter & Sweet, a Journey Into Easter, is available for purchase wherever books are sold. You can find a reading and art guide on her website, as well as another link to the accompanying playlist that was shared in the Lenten email blast.

Whichever resource you utilize, I pray that this season is one of love, care, and rest for you.