by Bill Haley | Apr 25, 2013 | Contemplative Life, Vocation
Recently with World Relief in Philadelphia, mention was made in a room of about a hundred people that I had met (very briefly) Mother Teresa some years ago. A few minutes later, a man found me across the crowded room, because he wanted to share his own experience. ...
by Soren Johnson | Apr 18, 2013 | Contemplative Life
Jolts of inspiration don’t arrive in the mail every day. But a while ago, my uncle called. He told me that in cleaning out his basement, he’d come across my great-grandmother’s Bible. He’d be happy to pass it on to me. Nanny — as we affectionately knew her — fled...
by Coracle | Apr 11, 2013 | Creation
I almost passed this article by, as I do with many articles that come to my computer screen, but the title intrigued me. There is so much truth in the article, through to the last quote which sums it all up for me. I thought this fits so well with what Coracle is,...
by Tara Haley | Apr 8, 2013 | Creation
Here is a recipe served at our last retreat that seemed to be quite popular by virtue of its request to be posted. Smoky Chipotle Black Bean Chili with Roasted Butternut Squash over Rice Pilaf from The Fresh and Green Table by Susie Middleton Serves 6 For the chili: ...
by Coracle | Apr 4, 2013 | Spiritual Direction
by Lucas Koach I have the most interesting cocktail conversations when asked what I do for a living. I explain I am (both) a public policy advisor for an international Christian relief and development organization and an Anglican priest and spiritual director. I...
by Wade Ballou | Apr 1, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
I wasn’t much of a baseball fan until the Nationals arrived in Washington. They just drew me in. Their youth and exuberance were contagious. The broadcasters helped me learn the game and appreciate the stories of individual players. Before I knew it, they were...
by Wade Ballou | Apr 1, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
The sermon on Easter morning at the Falls Church Anglican began with a question which pondered why it was that Mary went to the tomb of Jesus that Easter morning. The answer centered on the love Mary had for Jesus, perhaps in response to all Jesus had done for her. I...
by Wade Ballou | Apr 1, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
My thoughts lingered on the stripping of the altar as the mood in the Maundy Thursday service shifted from Holy Eucharist to Gethsemane. All was cleared: left over bread and wine, communion vessels and fine linens, and candles. These items won’t be needed now....
by Gabriel Dodd | Mar 21, 2013 | Contemplative Life
What is retreat, and why do we do it? Retreat is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director.” A Christian retreat is often referred to as a definite time spent away from...
by Bill Haley | Mar 13, 2013 | Spiritual Direction
A while back I referenced an article from the Boston Globe about the rise in spiritual direction, found here, from a Protestant angle. Here’s another one, from the Catholic side of things.
by Soren Johnson | Mar 6, 2013 | Church Unity, Contemplative Life
Soren Johnson is one of Coracle’s board members, and recently he gave this address to over 800 (mostly) Catholic men on retreat in Herndon, VA. His words apply to all men who long to follow God while living in these times. “Where do we go from here?” Annual...
by Bill Haley | Feb 23, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
In 1997, some old friends and those who would become old friends hosted the Emerging Urban Leaders Summit in Washington DC, with the help of Re:generation Quarterly, The Falls Church, and Leadership Network. We wanted to name and capitalize on the fact that God was...
by Bill Haley | Feb 23, 2013 | Contemplative Life
At this point in a conference like this on justice, it’s already overwhelming. It’s quick and easy to feel like there’s so much to do, and so much I’m not doing, even when I’m already trying to do as much as I know to do. What to do with these longings, these...
by Bill Haley | Feb 23, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
The long, tedious work of love in the ordinary is what the work of justice most needs. So said another old friend, Gary Haugen, who spoke this morning. His talk opened by reflecting on the problem that remains: 27 million people in slavery…more than New York,...
by Bill Haley | Feb 23, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
This conference is impressive, and so heartening (more on that later). But some thoughts on the opening plenary session. A note about scope: several thousand people in the Philadelphia Convention Center (the majority quite on the younger side) from around the...
by Bill Haley | Feb 22, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard the word ‘justice’ already, well… The effect of so much attention on one topic from so many different angles can hurt the head, and it makes me ask, “OK, now just what are we talking about again? And just what is...
by Bill Haley | Feb 22, 2013 | Creation, Justice and Mercy
Corhaven is a 17 acre slice of earth, given to our community to steward well for the purposes of God which includes stewarding well the land itself. Peter Harris is the founder and international director of A Rocha (their motto “Christians in Conservation”), a well...
by Bill Haley | Feb 22, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
Thoughts from a break-out session by Paul Metzger on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mother Teresa, and John Perkins Believe in a suffering God Believe in a resurrected God See Jesus in relation to the poor Sense your own poverty in relation to the poor Lay down your life for...
by Bill Haley | Feb 22, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
At a smaller breakfast this morning sponsored by World Relief, Lynne Hybels shared her story of her own transformation. In her words, if you’d told her ten years ago she’d be deep in the work of working for peace in Israel/Palestine and offering hope to the women of...
by Bill Haley | Feb 21, 2013 | Justice and Mercy
Coracle · The Blessing of Pursuing Justice Just over one year over a year ago, The Falls Church Anglican did a four-week sermon series on justice. Kicking it off with the sermon above, I reflected on the Christian’s privilege of being able to work for justice, and...
