📝 From the Pastor’s Desk

A Contemplative Worship Experience This Sunday

Holy Covenant,

This Sunday’s worship service at Holy Covenant is going to be a little different. We’re going to be slowing down, breathing deeply, and entering a quieter, more contemplative experience.

We want to ask people to arrive a little earlier than normal because before worship begins, we’re going to be asking everyone to select an image that speaks to them, maybe one that catches their attention or stirs something within them as they glance over it. We’re going to have an array of images to choose from, landscapes, simple objects, nature, animals, people, causes, and social justice issues. Each person will also receive a small notepad and pen, which we’ll use later in the service, during the time when we normally hear the sermon. We’ll be using all these items to do a spiritual reflection exercise, a time when we’re going to reflect, listen, and journal about what we sense the Spirit may be revealing through it.

Those who are planning to worship with us online this Sunday are invited to participate, too. Sometime before Sunday, I want to ask you to visit Unsplash.com and search around and select an image that speaks to you. Print it if you can, or simply keep it open on your screen. Have a notebook or journal ready, along with something to write with, so you can join us in real time from wherever you are.

Wherever you are this Sunday, may this time invite you into the peace of God’s presence and the awareness that, even in silence, God is still speaking (thank you UCC!).

Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
Senior Pastor, Holy Covenant UCC