by Janice MacLean | Nov 12, 2025 | Ordinary, Pause |
Advent Openings Prompts for each day in Advent November 30 – December 25, 2025 Journeying Deeper, the Contemplative Way. This Advent Calendar is offered for your personal use. Together, we make our way toward the Mystery of Christmas. We may not know who else is... 
by Janice MacLean | Sep 11, 2025 | Pause, Reflections |
“We are living at a hinge point of history. Every effort counts. We must all support hope in every way we can.” Steven Charleston Where have you noticed efforts for hope today? What is one thing you can do to support... 
by Janice MacLean | Sep 4, 2025 | One Word Prayers, Pause, Reflections |
You are invited to pause and invite the image to evoke a one-word prayer that is praying in you today …. Pray your prayer silently or share your word prayer in the comments. Photo credit: Marilyn Burrell. 
by Janice MacLean | Aug 23, 2025 | One Word Prayers, Pause |
You are invited to pause and invite the image to evoke a one-word prayer that is praying in you today …. Pray your prayer silently or share your word prayer in the comments. 
by Janice MacLean | Apr 22, 2025 | Ordinary, Pause |
Chanting the Psalms Ever since Claudette can remember she has been a lover of ritual as expressed in liturgy. Bringing people around to recognize its power has been a great part of her life’s work. Her spiritual journey and accompanying others on theirs, brings... 
by Janice MacLean | Feb 11, 2025 | Pause |
The Spirit in Red Things by Miran Tirabassi And the Holy Spirit hovers over the water and whispers – this year let us speak of good news with all the red things that are not fire. For the fruit of the Spirit is in the patience of pomegranates, the joy of watermelon,... 
by Janice MacLean | Dec 27, 2024 | Pause, Reflections |
End of Year Meditation Begin by settling yourself. Be where your feet are. Here. Now. Take a deep breath in and slowly release it. Listen to the beating of your heart. Feel the natural rhythm of your breathing—its ebb and flow. Notice the movements of your mind. No... 
by Janice MacLean | Dec 19, 2024 | Reflections, Pause |
“The Night of the Seven Suppers” | “Oidhche nan Seachd Suipearan” (Scottish Gaelic) We come to the Longest Night on December 21, the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. I recently learned a phrase describing this night. It comes from... 
by Janice MacLean | Dec 2, 2024 | Pause |
Sometimes when I invite a friend to share their gift with Prayer Bench, I don’t realize the care, effort and attention they give to the task. When I outlined the themes the Prayer Bench Advent Calendar, Marilyn went through her six collections of poetry and two...