Water Still, Living, Deep

Water Still, Living, Deep

“Living Waters” is the theme of a retreat I’m leading this weekend for 35 women from First Congregational Church UCC, San Jose at St. Francis Retreat in San Juan Bautista. 

In preparation I got thinking and praying about the many different ways we experience water, physically and spiritually.  Here’s my rough outline for our time together:

Friday Night

“Still Waters - Safety, Quenching” -Lakes, Pools, Ponds

“God leads me beside still waters” - Psalm 23

“Be still and know I am God” - Psalm 48

“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” Isaiah 55:1

Ritual: Simple grateful shared pouring and drinking of water

Saturday Morning

1)”Living Waters - Baptism, Our Own Body’s Water”- Rivers, Creeks, Springs

“The water I give will be a well of water springing up to eternal life.” - John 4:14         (Woman at the well)

“Whoever belongs to me, rivers of living water will flow within them.” -John 7:37

“As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven opened.” - Matt 3:16

Ritual: Gathering of the Waters we have each brought from special places

2) Water-seeking walk/activity outside in small groups

Saturday Night

“Deep Waters - Mystery, Deeper (Not Higher) Power “- Ground Water, the Ocean

“Deep calls to deep.” - Psalm 42:7

“Put out into the deep.”- Luke 5:4

“There was darkness was on the face of the deep.” - Gen 1

Sunday Morning Worship

Deborah Streeter and Ann Lougee

Reflections on “Our Life and Faith as Told by Water”

Blessing of our gathered water and of us

Communion

Hold us in your prayers!  I’ll let you know how it went.  Rain is forecast – we might get physically as well as spiritually wet!

(Pic of Point Lobos with harbors seals finding rest beside still waters.)

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Bluetheology.com. We have lots of youth groups coming this spring and summer for Blue Theology stewardship and spirituality service trips beside the living deep waters of Monterey Bay.  Also several clergy renewal groups.  Dive in!  I post these ocean devotionals every Wednesday here and on Facebook.