Walking a labyrinth. Taking deep breaths. Centering ourselves in the quiet. Communing with nature. Spiritual practices often invoke within us visions of serious adults, engaging in serious discernment for serious reasons. Because how else could God communicate with us unless God could see how seriously we’re taking this? But in Community of Christ, we express…
A Centering Moment written by Ashley Whitham (she/her) and presented at ‘Coming Out Monologues 6’ held October 11, 2023. At this time, I would invite you to sit comfortably, stable and connected to what is beneath you. And close your eyes if that feels safe to you. Let’s take a few breaths in and out,…
by Ashley Whitham Discipleship Development Minister This may seem weird to some, but I’m a firm believer that discernment can and should be fun. Too often ministers make it too serious, and the process becomes heavy and burdensome. We make it too hard. What gets in the way of discernment being fun? First our own…
Spiritual Practice Presented at GPNW MC Conference 2022 Pastors and Staff Breakfast By Ashley Whitham This morning, I’ll invite you to sit comfortably with your feet on the floor, and preferably with support against your back. Close your eyes. In your mind, imagine yourself in a large circle. If there were a target on the…
MC Conference 2022 Opening Worship Written by Carol West, Cowlitz Valley Pastor Team Member Father,We quiet our minds in this moment to let go of concerns, worries, stresses, pains and agendas. We seek Your wisdom and courage to see what you have laid before us as congregations, as Community of Christ, but also as disciples….
By Ashley Whitham Recently we experienced the Autumn Equinox. Because the earth is tilted on its axis compared to its rotation of the sun, the Autumn Equinox is one of only two days of the year when the earth is not tilted, but facing straight to the sun. On that day, the sun shines directly…
By Sean Langdon In the fall of 2020, the Bridge of Hope Strategic Planning Team for the Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center followed a nudge to not just focus on how we were going to raise funds to meet our funding goal but also discern a “Bridge of Hope” to the future of who…
“Our Stories” – A reflection by Ashley Whitham When we’re tots and toddlerswe live in our parents’ stories.Their lives are our worlds. When we’re full of wonder and questions,stories from books, tv, moviesexpand our imaginations to an even bigger world. When we start to live our stories,we trip and fall,stumbling over ideals and expectations. When…