The Pacific Northwest is a well-known home for large numbers of people who describe themselves as “spiritual, but not religious.” Their higher presence is found in nature, in meditation, in family ties or in other sources of meaning.
The Rev. Peggy Trendell-Jensen, deacon at St. Clement’s Anglican Church, fully agrees that God is not confined within the four walls of any house of worship.
“If we want to see God at work in the world,” she says, “Just look at the hundreds of acts of love being offered by people at Lynn Valley Village this week.”
Flower bouquets, candles, messages of support in sidewalk chalk and handwritten notes have blanketed the library square in the wake of the violent stabbing spree that occurred on Saturday.
“Our new magazine, Lively Spirit, celebrates the spirit outside the church walls as much as the life of faith within them,” she says.
“In our springtime launch issue, you’ll read about the work of the Spectrum Mothers Support Society, learn about local pilgrimages and labyrinths, and get tips on everything from local birdwatching to “Buy Nothing” groups.”
As it says on the cover, the magazine is aimed at the “seeker, skeptic and saint in all of us,” says Rev. Trendell-Jensen.
“We don’t assume people are believers, but we don’t shy away from sharing aspects of the Christian story, either. I think most people are on a journey of faith, whether or not they use religious language. By sharing stories from our religious heritage, people may recognize their own longings and questions reflected back at them.”
She says the magazine also tries to be an engaging means by which people can learn more about the faith, given that so many of our Western cultural traditions have their roots in Christianity – even Groundhog Day, according to the magazine’s teaser edition put out in February.
The spring launch edition includes a section on Easter, with links to activities for all ages and thoughts that range from the mystery of Jesus’s resurrection to tips on planting potted Easter lilies in the garden. Easter eggs hidden throughout the pages are a bonus for sharp-eyed readers.
If you are looking for a spirit-booster after the events of last weekend, this might help. You can read Lively Spirit’s spring issue as a flipbook by clicking here.
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