by Kate Harris | Nov 16, 2017 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the...
by Erin Clifford | Jun 3, 2017 | Liturgical Seasons
“Just as the resurrection of Jesus opened up the unexpected world of God’s new creation, so the Spirit comes to us from that new world, the world waiting to be born, the world in which, according to the old prophets, peace and justice will flourish, and the wolf...
by Coracle | Feb 27, 2017 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Liturgical seasons can act as guideposts through the year and Lent is a particularly special one. It’s easy to get caught up in the “sackcloth and ashes” part of Lent, with all the self-denial and focus on our own sin. This is important to...
by Scott Buresh | Feb 23, 2017 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
This coming Wednesday, March 1, marks the beginning of the Lenten season this year. I used to think of Lent primarily as a somber time of suffering, self-denial, repentance. In other words a time for me to feel great sorrow which for me also meant guilt and shame over...
by Wade Ballou | Dec 13, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
My first invitation to wonder about Jesus’ coming came when I was a boy, stealing away to my childhood living room and sitting alone among all the bright trimmings of the season. Without really knowing it was happening, the mystery of the season seeped into my soul....
by Coracle | Dec 13, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Bill Haley’s sermon given at The Falls Church Anglican on December 11, 2016.
by Erin Clifford | Dec 9, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
“What are you waiting for?” It’s a question that we might be asked by a stranger as we hold up a grocery story line or to a friend who we want to encourage to step out in faith. It’s normally a question that implies choosing to wait as the lesser choice. Advent, on...
by Coracle | Dec 8, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
By: Todd Deatherage As 2016 moves to its end, many wish it had all been just an unpleasant dream. Our experiences this year, as in most, teach us that things are not right in the world, not as they should be. An ugly American election season has exposed deep fault...
by Coracle | Dec 2, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
Last time I offered some Transcendence. This time I want to offer Sheer Joy! These few things fill my heart with laughter or happiness or wonder or all of them at the same time. Enjoy them! The first is probably my favorite minute and twenty-two seconds on Youtube....
by Scott Buresh | Nov 30, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
On my journey with Christ I have considered myself many things: a redeemed, rescued, forgiven, beloved child of God; Jesus’s friend; Jesus’s co-laborer in the world; God’s handiwork created in His image. But rarely have I identified with being a “contemplative,” one...
by Kate Harris | Nov 28, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
Every year as Advent begins our family takes out its Christmas library – the loosely curated stash of books acquired over many years conveying the Christmas story and spirit in poetry, images, songs, and stories from across centuries and around the world. At the...
by Coracle | Nov 27, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
By: Giovanna Meek (Coracle Intern, Summer 2016) It’s not uncommon that a caring Christian, especially one with an evangelical heart, might ask someone “do you know Jesus?” And, if a Christian is responding, she might begin with “well, yes…” and continue by sharing...
by Karla Petty | Apr 12, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Creation, Liturgical Seasons
The coming of spring inspires line after line of verse, note after note of melody, and with very good reason. This year, winter seems reluctant to release its icy grip on the Washington Area and the Shenandoah Valley (which the Montgomery County Police have coped with...
by Coracle | Apr 6, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
We had such a great time celebrating with our friends at Christ Church Vienna on April 3. You can listen to the sermon here, or you can download it from CCV’s website here. Some of our favorite soundbytes: “Disillusionment can be a great gift”...
by Coracle | Mar 28, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
EASTER MONDAY, 2016 by John S. Gardner The first Lent and first Easter since my parents’ deaths has been a time for reflection, a time of necessary busyness, welcome return to work, and sometimes enforced rest (“I am become like one who has no strength,” Ps. 88:4), a...
by Bill Haley | Mar 23, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
A sermon given by Bill Haley on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016 at The Falls Church Anglican: Coracle · Kingdom Tears
by Coracle | Mar 20, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
We’re borrowing from G.K. Chesterton and posting a poem told from the perspective of the animal on which Jesus entered Jerusalem. Welcome to Holy Week everyone! The Donkey BY G. K. CHESTERTON When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some...
by Coracle | Feb 10, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
This is one of my all-time favorite poems and prayers, from a man well-acquainted with God, and with sin. Regarding sin, who cannot agree with his refrain, “I have more”. Yet it ends in hope and freedom from fear, which is precisely the destination of journey of Lent...
by Abigail Whitehouse | Feb 8, 2016 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Lent is about making space for the resurrection by getting rid of that which impedes our relationship with Christ. At its most fundamental, this is sin –and therefore the Lenten invitation is, first and foremost, to repentance – to turn from our idolatry...
by Karla Petty | Jan 22, 2016 | Liturgical Seasons
With the storm coming, it’s natural to think about seasonal preparation. The news is crowded with images of hardware stores sold out of shovels and salt, and empty grocery store shelves where milk and bread used to be. No one wants to be caught in a storm unprepared....