There will be another block of six weekly meetings to continue, or explore for the first time, the way of praying known as Lectio Divina (Holy Listening).
This practice comes from the early monasteries when few monks could read. They learned the Scriptures by listening, at different times of the day and sometimes with the same passage being read by the monk who was able to do this. A frequent kind of private prayer is what we call intercession – praying for others and also praying for something specific for ourselves.
Lectio Divina, however, is the practice of listening, firstly to Scripture, then through reflecting on particular words which speak to you, we learn that we are, in fact, listening directly to God.
Reverend Joan Lyon is offering this on 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning on Wednesday 12 October at 7.30 pm in her home at 17 Randolph Court, Stirling FK8 2AL.
This will last about an hour, and all are welcome to stay for a cup of tea or coffee. Please use the sign-up sheet at the back of the church or send an email to joanblyon@gmail.com. The maximum number is nine.
First of all, a brief introduction. I am the Reverend Joan Lyon and I retired from full-time ministry in September 2018, returning for the year 2019–2020 to work as the part-time Transitional Priest in St John’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Alloa. Weekends sometimes find me with family, friends or different churches but I feel drawn to worship amongst you at Holy Trinity.
I have worked in a number of diverse situations – curacy in the East End of Glasgow, time in Ayr, Luxembourg, Suffolk and Aberdeen – and learned much about how different congregations work. In nearly all these places, I have introduced a way of praying known throughout the world as Lectio Divina and would now like to offer this to Holy Trinity. This seems to chime with Reverend Christoph’s deep understanding of how God might be present in our congregation.
So here is a brief explanation.
To pray is to draw closer to the heart of God. In our Sunday service, we offer prayers each week for the church, the world, for the needs of others and ourselves. But prayer is as much about listening quietly to hear what God might be saying to each one of us.
Lectio Divina, which means “holy reading”, is an ancient spiritual practice from the Christian monastic tradition that allows us to experience the presence of God through reading a passage from Scripture and listening, periods of silence, prayer and contemplation. It is not a Bible study nor a discussion group although people can certainly share their experience if they would like to. It is a way of praying that energises us and leaves us feeling more peaceful within ourselves and therefore more ready to engage with the reality of the life we live on a day-to-day basis. It helps us to take time to discover the rich truths of the Word of God.
With the blessing of Christoph, our Rector, the hope is to set up a new group called “Wellsprings”. This will meet fortnightly in Joan’s house, 17 Randolph Court, Stirling FK8 2AL on Tuesday mornings from 10 am – 11 am, followed by simple refreshments.
Joan Lyon
