The Way of Love
The Way of Love
2019 - 2020
Learn | Bless | Pray | Go | Turn | Worship | Rest
More than a program or curriculum, the Way of Love is a return to the ancient pathways and rules of life that followers of Jesus have observed for centuries. Earlier followers knew the power of committing to a core set of practices and gathering in a small group where you find love and support for living into these commitments. If we hope to, not only worship Jesus, but to grow more like him and bear his redeeming love in the world, we can adopt a rule of life like the Way of Love and find a community with which to practice it.
UNDERSTANDING A RULE OF LIFE
A rule of life is an intentional commitment to a set of practices that provide guidance, rhythm and inspiration for living a beautiful, meaningful and holy life. As we place these practices at the heart of our daily lives and join with companions who share the commitment, we grow more and more in the unselfish, hope-filled Way of Love that Jesus embodied in the world.
EXPLORING AND LIVING THE PRACTICES
We invite you to take time exploring these practices for living a Jesus-centered life using the resources in this book. Also, join us for worship on Sundays and formation on Wednesday evenings, during which we will spend time together in these seven practices. Remember no one follows Jesus all alone. The ideal way to live the Way of Love is in a community of love, support and accountability.
ONLINE WAY OF LOVE (WOL) EVENTS AND OFFERINGS
WAY OF LOVE | ADULTS
Blessing Sunday Virtual Coffee Hour
Sunday, August 16 | following online worship
On Blessing Sunday in a typical year, we celebrate our students and ask God's blessing on their backpacks and new licenses. But this is no typical start to a school year, and we know it brings a host of unique challenges and opportunities for our youth and their families. So to kick off this academic year, we'll gather virtually as a Good Shepherd community to ask God’s blessing on our students’ entire experience of learning: from their backpacks and devices, to the spaces where they'll learn and study, to the people who'll journey with them.
Join us after worship this Sunday to participate in this special moment of blessing, to celebrate this community, and to remember that we’re not alone as we walk this unfamiliar path. For the Zoom link and any questions, please email Aimee Bostwick.
One Book, One Parish
During the spiritual practice of REST on the Way of Love, we offer different resources to you engage in this practice in a way that is best for you, from walking, praying, to reading, we hope this practice will restore you. We invite you to join a parish-wide reading of Afoot and Lighthearted: A Journal for Mindful Walking by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse and Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective by Michael Schut.
Afoot and Lighthearted (Silver Medal winner of the Nautilus Book Award) is a guided journal for walkers who want to expand their physical and creative worlds through acts of mindfulness. It will teach readers how to harness the power of walking to cultivate and nourish attention, inspiration, and determination, as well as to combat distraction, anxiety, and the dreaded creative block. Simpler Living, Compassionate Life , editor Michael Schut presents a rare collection of voices ― Henri Nouwen, Cecile Andrews, Richard Foster and others ― as they explore our use of money, the practice of simplicity, listening to our lives, widening our circle of community, and other topics at the core of how we live out our faith in our homes and workplaces. A study guide is included.
You can find both books for order on Amazon and Kindle.
Worship at Home
During this time of social distancing we are offered the unique opportunity to cultivate a practice of worshipping at home. We will continue to post resources for you to use until we have the opportunity to worship in person.
Simple Daily Prayers
Prayers of Healing
How to Live Stream Worship With Kids
WAY OF LOVE WEDNESDAYS | CHILDREN
Edge
Wednesdays | 5:00 pm
Every week our 3rd -5th graders will gather in the “Edge Lounge” (aka Zoom) for games and a discussion centered on the Way of Love. Please email Aimee Bostwick for the Zoom link.
REST - Children resources
Celebrate the 50 days of Easter
Helping Families Keep Easter at Home
Faith at Home weekly lectionary-based activities and reflections
How to Live Stream Worship With Kids
WAY OF LOVE WEDNESDAYS | YOUTH
Middle School EYC
Wednesdays | 6:30 pm
We will meet virtually via Zoom. For more information and to get Zoom meeting ID and password, please contact Aimee Bostwick.