During Lent, the ELPC Spiritual Life Ministry will be offering three different spiritual pathways to communally engage in our Lenten theme of: Grounding Ourselves in the Good News of Lent.
We will ground ourselves in Jesus’ life and ministry, exploring radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, and nonviolence in the face of injustice. We also will engage in ancient practices that root us deeper in Christ and create space for substantive change: Lectio Divina and Visio Divina.
Lectio Divina, Latin for ‘divine reading” is rooted in the historic Benedictine tradition. It is the slow, meditative reading of a Scripture passage that focuses on prayerfully listening and responding to God’s word. The four movements are:
- Lectio: Read the text slowly and prayerfully, listening for a word or phrase that captures your attention.
- Meditatio: stopping, resting, repeating the word or phrase to yourself.
- Oratio: prayerfully dialogue and wonder with God how this word affects you.
- Contemplatio: rest in God’s presence.
Visio Divina, Latin for “divine seeing,” is a method of meditation, reflection, and prayer through a process of intentional seeing. Visio Divina extends Lectio Divina using visual imagery. If you are curious about these practices and want to ground your Lent in a regular communal practice, join us at one of the following times beginning February 22:
- Journey with Scripture | Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am
- Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesdays, 7 pm
- Zoom Morning Contemplative Prayer | Mondays, 7:30–8 am
- Praying with Art for Families and Tweens | Wednesdays, 5–7 pm