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Lenten program uses imagery as God as gardener of souls
By LINDA M. LINONIS
BOARDMAN
A Lenten program at St. James Episcopal Church employs the imagery as God as the gardener of souls.
Just as gardening is sometimes unpredictable, the first session planned of “Growing a Rule of Life” was snowed out because of a major snowstorm in the Valley. Sessions will begin next week.
The Rev. Shawn Dickerson, priest in charge, said the program was developed by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist.
“It was offered to churches in our diocese,” Rev. Dickerson said. (It is the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.)
The Rev. Richard Meux Benson founded the society in 1866 in Oxford, England, and it was the first stable religious community of men to be established in the Anglican Church since the Reformation.
The order came to Boston, Mass., in 1870.
The brothers live under a Rule of Life and make vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience.
The society’s website, www.ssje.org, notes that the series uses a “a tool from monastic spirituality called a ‘Rule of Life.’”
Rev. Dickerson cautioned not to jump to conclusions about the word “rule,” as it is used carefully in reference to the monastic tradition of a rule of life.
Those detailed rules provide order and structure, he said.
“Prayer is a central part,” he said. “Hospitality in the community ... [opens] doors for those who pass by also is part of it,” Rev. Dickerson said.
The website explains that a rule of life “is a way to regularize our lives in order to stay on an intentionally chosen path.” It is a “supportive framework to gently guide us on our way.”
The rule helps people “live with intention and purpose” in the present and clarify “values, relationships, dreams and goals.”
“There are many analogies to gardening,” Rev. Dickerson said. “This is about our spiritual development as an ongoing process.”
He said the study uses ideas of flourishing and dormancy.
“These images can be powerful in ideas and making a connection.”
The priest said the study will ask participants to dig into “where we are rooted, how we grow and what gives us strength.”
The priest continued that the program aims to help participants clarify “how to pattern their lives.”
He said the “rhythm of nature” is considered.
“It’s helpful to consider what’s happening around us,” he said. “Nature is used as an overall image.”
The pattern in our lives applies to the individual, family, parish, community and beyond, he said.
The society’s website outlines the series and lists questions to ponder.
Among subject matter that has accompanying videos:
Rule of life and rhythm of nature and the question, “In the garden of your life, what is thriving and what is not?”
Relationship with God and the question, “What needs to be weeded or cultivated in your soul for you to grow closer to God?”
Relationship with self and the question, “What do you love about yourself?”
Relationship with others and the question, “How can you grow in the ways you give and receive love?”
Relationship with creation and “What spiritual practices help to strengthen your connection with the natural world?”
Creating a solid garden plot and “What has sustained you through challenging seasons in the past?”
The website lists these goals of the series for participants:
To design a balanced plan for growing a deeper relationship with God, yourself, other people and creation.
Celebrate areas in their lives that are thriving and other areas that need nourishment.
Tune their sensitivity to the rhythms of nature to keep a rule of life.
Grow in fellowship with other participants.