by Coracle | Feb 4, 2021 | Coracle News
Blaise Pascal once wrote, “In difficult times carry something beautiful in your heart.” This seems vitally important as we all continue through difficult times brought on by the pandemic, political strife, and racial brokenness. In a boat, ballast is the weight...
by Bill Haley | Feb 4, 2021 | Contemplative Life
This essay was written after a 16-month trip around the world I was blessed to take in 1994. The lessons contained within are as true as ever, and I hope they are a blessing to you as they remain to me! We live in a world of wonders. We live in a world of jewels. ...
by Coracle | Feb 3, 2021 | Contemplative Life, Justice and Mercy
Following the tragic February 6th attack on the US Capitol, many of us have been having challenging, fraught, often-painful conversations about Christianity in America. In our families, in our churches, in our neighborhoods, and across the country, Christians are...
by Coracle | Feb 2, 2021 | Justice and Mercy
On Jan 30th, 2021, over 150 men and women from across the country tuned-in to this special time of teaching, learning, conversation, and prayer focused on how to equip ourselves for and step into the difficult but necessary work of racial reconciliation in our...
by Ken Wettig | Feb 2, 2021 | Contemplative Life
In this “Space for God” devotional, Rev. Ken Wettig (Coracle Community Minister for the Shenandoah Valley) guides us through a powerful, imaginative encounter with the baptism of Jesus and how that event can serve as an anchor to us in hard times. How...
by Bill Haley | Feb 1, 2021 | Coracle News, Justice and Mercy
“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Jesus, Luke 8.17 The Backstory In 2009, after 15 years living and ministering in the inner city, mostly in Washington DC, Tara and I received a...
by Mary Gardner | Jan 28, 2021 | Contemplative Life
In this “Space for God” devotional, Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner introduces us to the life of Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, a renowned African-American artist from the turn of the 20th Century who faced many obstacles and tragedies throughout her long life, but...
by Karla Petty | Jan 27, 2021 | Contemplative Life
In the mid 1990’s, you may recall, “Magic Eye” optical illusion books swept the nation featuring graphics (autostereograms) that, if seen correctly, would reveal a 3D shape or picture. Not for lack of trying, those 3D images never appeared to me. I would sit and...
by Danny Nasry | Jan 26, 2021 | Contemplative Life
In this Simple Soundings devotional, Danny Nasry (Coracle Community Minister), leads us through an imaginative reflection on Exodus 3– the story of Moses and the unburnt bush. Drawing upon the Eastern Orthodox tradition, he shares how this iconic story invites us to...
by Rick Campanelli | Jan 25, 2021 | Contemplative Life
Luke 21: 16-19: “[S]ome of you they will even put to death… But not a hair on your head will perish.” Imagine going to a doctor and getting a diagnosis like this: “This may kill you. But you will be fine.” If you reported that diagnosis to others,...
by Coracle | Jan 19, 2021 | Coracle News
If you are feeling the weight of the recent weeks and would like a contemplative space to be with God, please join some of our Coracle Spiritual Directors for a time to Pray for Peace and Wholeness on Thursday, January 21, between 9:30 and 10:30 AM or between 7 and 8...
by Coracle | Jan 19, 2021 | Contemplative Life
by Anna Holowinsky It was the summer of 2016. I stumbled upon a creative community in Charlottesville, VA, and within that space, I met a friend named Richard. Richard was a word artist. I had never heard of word art before, but I knew after rubbing...
by Bill Haley | Jan 12, 2021 | Coracle News, Justice and Mercy
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6.12 Friends, there are many implications of...
by Bill Haley | Jan 12, 2021 | Coracle News, Justice and Mercy, Peacemaking
As we emerge out from underneath 2020, we imagine you remember one of the most powerful experiences over the summer–– The Juneteenth Lament for racial injustice broadcast live from the Corhaven Graveyard. We want to tell you about some exciting developments for the...
by Kelly Gould | Jan 11, 2021 | Contemplative Life, Justice and Mercy
“Peter,” he said, “this is not the way.” Maybe like me, you’re still trying to wrap your mind around what happened this past Wednesday at our Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Images keep replaying in my mind. My emotions change from moment to moment, and I’ve...
by Drew Masterson | Jan 8, 2021 | Coracle News
It will come as no surprise that we are all shocked and grieved by what transpired at our Nation’s capital on Wednesday. The lawlessness and violence on display in a space of such symbolic significance for our country is difficult to process. Just as (if not...
by Amy Boucher Pye | Jan 7, 2021 | Contemplative Life
In this “Space for God” devotional, writer and Coracle Spiritual Director Amy Boucher Pye guides us through the ancient practice of “Examen” and helps us look back over the past year– its glories and its griefs– with our senses attuned to...
by Coracle | Jan 5, 2021 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
by Bill Simmons, President & CEO of American Leprosy Missions What is that nagging feeling I have? Why do I feel a heaviness in my heart? Something is clawing at my mind, clouding my eyes, preventing me from seeing the road ahead. As this year draws to a close,...
by Ken Wettig | Dec 24, 2020 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Most Christians in America have experienced some variation of the following scene during a recent Christmas Eve. You just left a Christmas Eve service, having sung “O Holy Night” with all of your might, tears streaming down your face astounded by the...
by Coracle | Dec 21, 2020 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
In this Advent Offering– recorded on December 17, 2020– Bill Haley guides us through a worshipful experience of Advent and Christmas carols new and old, to help us encounter anew the gift of Christ’s birth and to whet our appetites for His second Advent. If...