Journal

Beauty for Ballast: A New Coracle Initiative

Beauty for Ballast: A New Coracle Initiative

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...
At Our Feet and Face to Face

At Our Feet and Face to Face

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. ...
“How to Fight Like Jesus”

“How to Fight Like Jesus”

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...
Immersion Prayer

Immersion Prayer

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...

Stories of Perseverance

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...
The Secret of Seeing

The Secret of Seeing

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...
Simple Soundings: “The Unburnt Bush”

Simple Soundings: “The Unburnt Bush”

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...
Would you like a time to pray for Peace & Wholeness?

Would you like a time to pray for Peace & Wholeness?

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...
“This is Not the Way”

“This is Not the Way”

“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...
On Jan 6th (and Epiphany)

On Jan 6th (and Epiphany)

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...
The Gift of Mourning

The Gift of Mourning

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,...