In light of Covid-19 and churches now worshiping and connecting online, we are crafting some supplemental resources for Lent to support you through this uncertain and overwhelming time.
In many ways, our ministry is perfectly positioned for this moment. We use digital platforms to craft art and resources for spiritual nourishment. We hope these additional materials can help you navigate this wilderness and continue to nurture your community. Be sure to check this page often, as we’ll continue to update it as we create new resources.
In order to show up for you during this crisis, we are offering these resources for free for now. We hope that eases any financial burdens you may be carrying. We welcome you to use these materials for your ministry, including credit where appropriate. After Easter, we will take these free resources down and add them to our shop for license.
If you’re new around here, we’ve crafted multimedia resources for the season of Lent inspired by the RCL and the theme, Wilderness—which has become eerily relevant to us now. Many of the supplemental resources below pull from art, liturgy, or content we’ve crafted for our Wilderness Bundle.
CONTEMPLATIVE READINGS OF SCRIPTURE
A Contemplative Reading of John 9 (a man born blind is healed)
This contemplative reading of John 9:1-17 offers a meditation using art, visio divina, and original music.
Ways you might use this meditation:
Download the video & integrate it into your pre-recorded Sunday worship.
Email the link to members in your congregation as an at-home meditation.
Use the meditation in a meeting (as a form of centering prayer) or bible study group. After watching the video together, discuss the art and scripture.
A Contemplative Reading of John 11 (Lazarus is raised from death)
Pray with your eyes open with this contemplative reading of John 11:32-44 that incorporates music, visio divina, and visual art.
Ways you might use this meditation:
Download the video & integrate it into your pre-recorded Sunday worship.
Email the link to members in your congregation as an at-home meditation.
Use the meditation in a meeting (as a form of centering prayer) or bible study group. After watching the video together, discuss the art and scripture.
A Contemplative Reading of Matthew 21 (Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem)
This is a contemplative reading of the Palm Sunday story using visio divina and art, "Daughters of Zion" by Hannah Garrity.
Ways you might use this meditation:
Download the video & integrate it into your pre-recorded Sunday worship.
Email the link to members in your congregation as an at-home meditation.
Use the meditation in a meeting (as a form of centering prayer) or bible study group. After watching the video together, discuss the art and scripture.
A Contemplative Reading of John 20:1-18 (Mary Discovers the Empty Tomb)
This short film tells the story of the empty tomb through time lapse art using the image, "Fullness of the Tomb" by Lauren Wright Pittman.
Ways you might use this meditation:
Download the video & integrate it into your pre-recorded Sunday worship.
Email the link to members in your congregation as an at-home meditation.
Use the meditation in a meeting (as a form of centering prayer) or bible study group. After watching the video together, discuss the art and scripture.
LITURGIES FOR WORSHIP ONLINE & AT HOME
At-Home Maundy Thursday Liturgy
This at-home liturgy allows individuals and families to embody worship by baking bread (or any baked good) and then reflecting and praying around the table. This liturgy is very family-friendly (prompts for children included), but also meaningful for individuals who live alone.
At-Home Easter Sunrise Liturgy
This at-home liturgy guides individuals or families in celebrating Easter Sunday. The liturgy includes poetry, candle-lighting, prompts for conversation or journaling, scripture, and prayers. Though we can’t physically be together on Easter morning, we can celebrate the promises of resurrection through simple things, like the early morning light and the warmth of hot coffee in our hands.
Addendum to our “Singing Through the Wilderness” Holy Week Liturgy
This addendum offers suggestions for adapting our “Singing Through the Wilderness” service for worship online. The author, Slats Toole, has crafted a new poem, “it is the simple things,” that helps us name the sacredness of water, bread, and cup in a time when the ritual act of hand washing has taken on new meaning. Slats offers suggestions for how to break up the elements of this liturgy throughout each day of Holy Week, or offer it as a continuous service from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday.
POETIC MEDITATIONS
The Wilderness is a Place of New Life (Poetry Meditation)
This visual meditation features the poem, "The Wilderness is a Place of New Life—Resilient Life" by Sarah Are.
Ways you might use this meditation:
Download the video & integrate it into your pre-recorded Sunday worship.
Email the link to members in your congregation as an at-home meditation.
Use the meditation in a meeting (as a form of centering prayer) or bible study group. After watching the video together, discuss the poem.
The Night Weeps—Meditation on Jesus’ Death
Take a few deep breaths then watch, listen, and receive this moving meditation on Jesus' crucifixion. Pay close attention as the imagery slowly evolves. This short film includes the poem, “the night weeps,” by Slats Toole, which is one of many poems featured in our “Singing Through the Wilderness” liturgy for Holy Week. The film also features, the painting, “Why Have You Forsaken Me?” by Hannah Garrity.
You are welcome to use this film in your Holy Week online worship and/or devotionals.
