Monday, February 19, 2024

Connected in story, connected in christ

blessed by the rising sun - The rev. Gregory Griffith

The rising sun from Gregory’s kitchen window.

Tell us a Story about....

a practice, habit, or discipline that helps you feel close to God (connected, loved and grounded).

Blessed by the Rising Sun

A Story about Spiritual Practice from The Rev. Gregory Griffith:

When I was in seminary, I spent a summer serving as a chaplain at a large state hospital. Sister Mary Joseph was one of the other chaplains. On the first day, while still dark, I went out and sat on a bench looking east. Soon, Sister Mary Joseph joined me. She told me of how she began the practice of beginning her day sitting in the dark and waiting for the new light of day to emerge. "I serve as a chaplain at the jail in downtown Washington, D.C." she said. "It is a dark place. So, I started getting up while it was still dark and going out and sitting in the garden of the convent to be greeted by the new light of day. It gives me hope for the day ahead."

In August of 2022, I moved into my apartment at Kittery Estates. I was delighted to discover that the windows in the apartment I was given faced east. It is a daily reminder of Sister Mary Joseph and her spiritual practice of being blessed by the rising sun.

What practices, habits or disciplines do you have that help you feel connected to God? Share a story of your practice, in word, image, or art, by sending it via email to Pastor Aaron at: associate@stjohnsnh.org.