I hope you had a great summer and had as many juicy opportunities to work on your program as I did. I spent three weeks with my Mom - always a great opportunity - and my two preteen sons were home from school all summer... One day at a time - it's all good!

It's September, and not only are my boys back in school, it also means that the Recovery Service is back! This year, we're going to try it on Sunday evenings at 5 PM, and it kicks off this Sunday. Our preacher will be the ever lively Todd Shipley, and the music will be provided by our wonderful new musician, Dave McWilliams, on piano. So please plan to be with us and to bring your friends! The Recovery Service, after this month, will return on the first Sunday of each month. We look forward to having our good friend, Jan Grinnell, back with us as preacher on October 2 for our third (can it be third!!?) anniversary! Jan helped us start the service back in the fall of 2009 and I know many of you really enjoy hearing her talk. Please help us spread the word about the new Sunday time for this popular event.

Words I think of for the Recovery Service: Open minded, Relaxed, Relevant, Welcoming, Communion.

And there's a new offering this year that I'm very excited about, and I think would be awesome help for anyone wanting to do more with Step 11: the weekly Night Prayers. This half hour of prayer and meditation requires nothing of you but to show up to spend a little special time with your higher power. You'll have nothing to say, respond to or sing - you just settle in, close your eyes and offer your time to God. The service is based on the Night Prayers in the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer, and includes periods of silence, quiet music and some thoughtful readings. This event is designed to help you fill up your tank for the week ahead. Just come and soak it in. It's at 8PM every Sunday night, beginning this weekend, and lasts about a half hour.

Words I think of for Night Prayers: Quiet, Introspection, Candlelight, Beauty, Spiritual

And don't forget, every Wednesday morning our Guided Relaxation and Meditation sessions take place from 7 - 7:25 AM in the chapel. Again, all you have to do is show up, relax and learn how to do silent centering prayer, which is a simple and powerful form of meditation. The session ends with a short spoken prayer based on the 12 steps. We always end promptly for all those who want to attend the 7:30 AA meeting in Lewis Hall.

Words I think of for Wednesday Morning Meditation: Simple, Nourishing, Centering, Strengthening.

I hope you might like to add either of these events to your self-care routines - either before or after a meeting if that works for your schedule. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.