Spiritual and Inspirational Gems

By Staff of Mercy by the Sea

Posted on 3/28/2017

Working here at Mercy by the Sea, we are blessed to encounter profound, uplifting and thought-provoking spiritual books, videos and articles. We wanted to share with you just a few of the gems that staff members have recently come across.

Betty Orosz in Guest Services couldn’t resist telling co-workers of a video she discovered. “Eating Twinkies with God” features a young protagonist, who will surely capture your heart. But you must wait to the very end for the unexpected twist that brings home the video’s message.

“The Priest in the Trees,” which first appeared in the December 2016 issue of Harper’s magazine, profiles Rev. Stephen Blackmer, an ordained Episcopal priest who founded the Church of the Trees in New Hampshire. The church isn’t a physical structure but 106 acres of forest. Its sanctuary is a small clearing with a white pine stump, which serves as the altar. The article beautifully describes how listening to one’s still inner voice can set you on a path you never could have imagined. The article can be read online and is available to download as a pdf for subscribers of the magazine.

In this time of fractious and divisive politics, Spirituality and Health magazine published a must-read article on “Peacemaking the Navajo Way.” The author Mark Sorensen spent more than 40 years living and working with the Navajo. Adopted as an adult by a family, he served as the principal of the first tribally controlled school in the country. But perhaps, most importantly, he learned and incorporated into his life the concept of extended relationships called “K’e,” which emphasizes the connection between and among other human beings as well as the natural world. His piece describes how this concept informs and shapes “traditional peacemaking,” a means of conflict resolution which aims to restore harmony and balance in relationships rather than establishing guilt and meting out punishment. Sorensen offers a stunning example of this process in action.

Our finance associate, Linda Michalczyk, offers a story that is close to her family’s heart. Her sister, who lives in Seattle, lost her partner of 30 years to ovarian cancer. For her memorial service, Linda’s sister and Judy’s family established a Wishing Tree on one of the walking and biking paths near the Ship Canal Trail. Both the local TV station and Seattle Times reported on the family’s efforts. The video has lovely footage of the tree itself as well as two local college girls who stopped by to make add a wish.

Lastly, Sr. Eileen Dooling, Mercy by the Sea’s executive director, is a big fan of the On Being blog written by Omid Safi, the Director of Duke’s Islamic Studies Center. There are many of his blogs that warrant shout outs. Here are two standouts: “This Is Personal Because This Is Our Home” very specifically and movingly documents the effect the first travel ban would have on his family. The second, “The Prayer of the Heart,” describes a contemplative practice offered by Muhammad that can lead to unceasing prayer.

Omid Safi will be leading a retreat entitled “Rumi and the Path of Divine Love Tradition in Islam” on April 21-22 at Mercy by the Sea. The program will explore how Rumi’s poetic works, particularly the “Masnavi,” challenge commonly held ideas and assumptions of Islam and Muslims. The program consists of presentations, conversation and time for quiet reflection. For more information, go to the program page.