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In the town in which I grew up there was a three-sided cork kiosk, about six feet tall, that stood in front of the grocery store on the way to the parking lot. Wildly colored papers and posters fluttered on all three sides of the kiosk, sometimes several layers thick, and there were never enough push pins.
- Some of the information was “evergreen” – like the pool hours for the summer.
- Some was just information – like when the big trash pick up day would be.
- Some was urgent – “lost dog.”
- And some was “things for sale” – this is how I got my first 10-speed bike, painted “metallic root beer brown.”
Everyone knew to pause at the kiosk, just in case there was something there they needed to know.
That is the point of this PlainSpeaking Weekly E-Newsletter. It is a virtual kiosk for the whole diocese. Here you will find “evergreen” information, like links to the website and contact information. You will also find current information, like where you can go in the diocese to receive communion and upcoming events. We don’t have a “things for sale” section, though if you happen to have a 70s era 10-speed painted “metallic root beer” color, I might be interested. But we are hoping that what is here you find useful. And if there are things you’d like to see in this e-news, please let us know and we can figure it out.
Morning Prayer Bundle
This week we are adding the “Morning Prayer Bundle.” This currently includes a very simple Morning Prayer half-sheet bulletin for use during the Season after Pentecost. The idea is to make holding a Morning Prayer service as simple as possible. I have selected the readings and prayers for the season from the prayerbook, to make it just a little easier, and I have included a link to the Lectionary Page where you can find the readings assigned to the week. I will make a new bulletin in July, changing up some of the options, and again each month and each liturgical season.
The other part of the “bundle” that you will find today is a sermon on the texts assigned. We hope to provide you each week with a sermon written by someone in the diocese, with permission to read that sermon as part of your service (acknowledging the author, of course).
In the fall we hope to have a simple lesson or activity for children assigned to the text as well.
Now, these resources are entirely optional. You are under no obligation to use them, and you can alter or adapt them as you please (but please don't adapt or change the sermons).
The one alteration that I usually make when I do Morning Prayer, is the addition of a Taizé song after the acclamation and before the confession (the one I am singing now is The Kingdom of God). These songs are simple, easy to learn and, sung slowly and quietly, they amount to a musical prayer. I invite you to explore some of songs in the tradition of the community at Taizé and pick one to learn for the summer. Then in the fall pick another. Having a collection of peaceful breath prayers like these can only add to our prayer lives and enrich our liturgies.
You remain in my prayers.
+Shay
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