Mosaic

04/14/2020

BEGINNING TO PRAY--Fr. Anthony Bloom: Questions for Reflection/ Discussion, Chapters 4-5
--This book was written in 1970: pre-internet, at a time that was, presumably, slower. And yet the author describes the "rush of life" and "sense that time is running fast." What does this say about the human relationship to time?
--The author makes the point that we try to anticipate what's next, and are therefore always looking forward, instead of at the present. Is this true for you?
--Try sitting for a few minutes and trying to keep your thoughts on the present. Is it easy, or not?
--The author describes creating a stillness into which God's presence may be felt. How can you replicate this at home?
--How does the way in which we address someone affect our relationship with them? Nicknames? Last names? Christian, or baptism, name? The name only God knows?
--When we pray, do we bring forth people before God by name? Or do we pray for groups, using labels?
--What about the names we use for God? What names do we use, and do they match our experience of Him?
--How does the author suggest using these names for God?What role do they play in our spiritual life?

04/14/2020

BEGINNING TO PRAY--Fr. Anthony Bloom: Questions for Reflection/ Discussion, Chapter 2-3
--"We cannot live a life of prayer...unless we are free from possession in order to have two hands to offer and a heart absolutely open."
--The author describes a door which we must find to enter God's presence. How does he suggest finding this door?
--Different kinds of prayer include spontaneous, vocal, or tradition, conviction-based prayers, or ready-made prayers. How do we choose what to pray?
--How do we put prayers into practice throughout the day in a way that is effective?
--What is the role of inner turmoil, or despair, in our prayer life?

03/15/2020

BEGINNING TO PRAY--Fr. Anthony Bloom: Questions for Reflection/ Discussion, Introduction and Chapter 1
I am loving this book so far and hope that you are benefitting from it as much as I am!
--In the introduction, the author recounts meeting a young priest when he was a boy. Although the author was not yet a Christian, he was puzzled by the unconditional love this priest showed. Have you ever met someone whose spiritual love was so strong that it was clear to even strangers?
--When the author describes reading the Gospel of Mark for the first time, he becomes aware of Christ's presence in a way he could not doubt. What must that have felt like?
--The author describes living life as a physician after he had secretly taken monastic vows. What strikes you about his description of "living in the market place?"
--How did his experience of living as an émigré in England deepen his understanding of Christ?
Chapter 1
--The author starts by talking about when God seems absent. He calls this part of a "live and real" relationship. How so?
--God "gives us a chance to judge ourselves" so that, when he does meet us in prayer, we may be prepared. Is this preparation, then, a type of meditation?
--When we pray, do we want Him, or something from Him?
--What does the author suggest about the Publican's thoughts when he stood at the back of the temple and prayed?
--We have all read the phrase in the Bible, "my power is made manifest in weakness." The author gives the analogy of a sail, or a glove. What, then, does this mean for our approach to God?

03/15/2020

We wanted to let everyone know that we are cancelling the in person book club tomorrow, but we will be posting discussion questions about the introduction and chapter 1 of Andrew Bloom’s book”Beginning to Pray”. It would be great If we can all still discuss the book virtually with each other. Stay safe all.

03/10/2020

Beginning to Pray, by Anthony Bloom (available from many online sources), is the book we have selected for the next three Sundays of Lent. Please join us! Next week, we will discuss the Introduction and Chapter 1.

03/10/2020

For those who would like to read the meditation we shared this past Sunday, here it is:

“Enlighten me through prayers and fasting” [Forgiveness Vespers]. Within the context of Great Lent and our ascetical effort during this season, commonly called fasting, I would like to raise the issue of not only fasting from certain foods and drink—the most basic aspect of asceticism because ...

03/04/2020

Mosaic Family!!!
We will be meeting this Sunday after the liturgy to discuss screen time during lent and do a meditation.

We will also be launching our new book study that will begin soon, so please do your best to read up on the book or purchase it in the next week or two so we can get started!

02/23/2020

Thank you to everyone who helped us with the blankets today!! We had a blast😊

Join us next week for the beginning of a 4 week book study! (More details to come)

01/26/2020

Mosaic is finally back!! Come join us in the basement as Alex Bishara continues his series exploring the principles of Mosaic with the very important talk “awakening our spirituality”. As always coffee and snacks will be served immediately following communion.

01/17/2020

Hi everyone!
Hope you've had an amazing break and Christmas :)
We will be resuming mosaic next Sunday, January 26 with Alex Bishara talking about "Awakening our Spirituality"

See you all then, and let us know if you have any questions!!

12/11/2019

On Sunday, Mosaic will be hosting a cookie exchange and packing Christmas cookies to give to veterans at a local shelter. Bring a box of your favorite Christmas cookies and come ready to pack some boxes with different Christmas cookies and write notes to the vets. Cookies can be store bought or home made.