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Creating this blog is part of my faith journey. I have a deep desire to deepen my relationship with God, with community, and with myself. God continues to speak to me and help me not be afraid to talk about my faith, my loves, my fears, my life! I have been a parishioner at Church of the Advent in Medfield for over 30 years. My journey there has shaped me into a person of deep faith. Through service to others I have been healed and strengthened. As a Lay Eucharistic Minister I have been given the opportunity to serve others at God's table. I encourage you to seek out this ministry...it has transformed me over time in my community of faith and I am forever grateful to Rev. David Flanders for inviting me into it...and doubly proud of myself for accepting his invitation.

I embrace Martin L. Smith's prayer: "Spirit of Jesus, give me the courage to take my heart and look it in the face!...Only if you deepen my awareness of your indwelling and the priceless gift of intimacy with God which is already mine, can these desires give way to the truth that I belong to others and can serve and embrace them."

In Christ+, Jill Seiler-Moon

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My spiritual pilgrimage

I am a cradle Episcopalian and I grew up hearing the phrase, “God works in mysterious ways. I would now add, in my words, “and God takes his/her time.”

My first experience with God was at a religious retreat when I was 17. At the end of the retreat we were asked to be in silence, write an essay on what the retreat meant to us, and then attend chapel. At the end of chapel, as I walked out in silence, I felt this overwhelming sensation. I was surrounded by people -- but I was alone with what I can only describe as the presence of God. I have never felt so peaceful and so awed. However, it only lasted a few minutes, and then I was back in reality.

When I spoke to a cleric about this he explained that you can climb to the top of the mountain but only stay there for a short time and then you come down. However, he said, you should always try to reach that pinnacle again.

Many years have passed since then. Daily life and noise took over, and God often seemed far away. But I am taking steps up that mountain, and in the last decade I believe I have made progress.

For me, quiet is the key. Time to be quiet and listen for God’s call to me. About six years ago I was called to start work as Neponset River Deanery’s lay co-convener. Then God called again, this time to start work with our Diocese as a congregational consultant. A new phase of my life started and has been a joy. I love the work and the people I work with, and my steps up that mountain have progressed.

Calls from God come through different channels. Mine came through The Rev. Libby Berman. I am grateful to her for showing me the path and encouraging me on my way.

May we each get to the top of our mountain.

Marjorie Temple

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I came across a wonderful, interactive, self-led exercise on the Mission Institute's website called "Being Church." You can access it on their website at themissioninstitute.org (then click on the tab "collaboration."

"Being Church" consists of six group spiritual exercises of approximately an hour each. Each segment incorporates prayer, reflection, and discussion and is designed to be self-led, inviting congregations and communities into a deeper understanding of their own particular gifts and challenges. (Submitted by J. Moon)