We have established our service schedule for the first half of 2025 (January – June). You can find it here. There are a few things we’d like to highlight below in this next season. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Lent Series: Enneagram and the Love of God
There are several metaphors to describe the role and dynamic of the Church. A hospital is one metaphor. It is a place where people experience care and healing. Another metaphor is a chapel. It provides people with time and space to pray. Lastly, a school is another metaphor. It is where people grow in their spiritual understanding and wisdom.
This Lent we’re leaning intentionally into the metaphor of Church as a school. We are trying something new. We will have three cumulative sessions of teaching on the Enneagram, a personality framework. This is in the spirit of self-examination and repentance, which is often customary of Christian observance of Lent.
The Enneagram helps people understand themselves more deeply. It reveals what (often subconscious) compulsions drive them and why. In doing so, it gives them greater self-awareness and freedom. Similarly, the Enneagram helps people understand others more deeply and, as a result, nourishes compassion and love.
Ultimately, our hope is that these sessions will clarify strengths and areas of growth in our personalities. They will help us bring more of ourselves into the love of God. They will also encourage us to love ourselves and others in greater measure.
Kids’ Time
Though we don’t quite yet have specialized kids’ programming every Sunday (pray for us!), we are increasingly featuring designated kids’ time during our services. This time is open to anyone ages 4-12. We have been using The Peace Table which is a good, accessible contemplative Bible for children. Kids’ time is led by an adult in a separate room and includes:
- A fun icebreaker
- A brief time of silence (taking some breaths) to prepare to hear the Gospel story
- Reading the Gospel aloud from The Peace Table
- “Wondering and Sharing” time based on questions in The Peace Table
- Guided prayer from The Peace Table
WEST END ABBEY 