Sermon title: Mother God

In his poem For a mother to be, the late Irish poet John O'Donohue writes: “Distance will never be able to cut you off from the one you now carry for nine months under your heart.” Jesus describes his own purpose as gathering his followers “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” (Luke 13:34)

How very different these images are to that of a distant or forbidding Father God! This Mother's day, we'll explore what changes when we come to know God as a mother.

Online and in person https://barrecongregational.org ZOOM meeting ID is 865 5966 3321 and the Passcode is 05641.

Inspired by the life of St Francis, Birdsong Vespers is an inclusive outdoor worship that welcomes each evening with song and prayer. https://simondevoil.com/birdsong

This one off special Birdsong Vespers is being hosted by the kind people at Hartford International University & the Spiritual Life Centre.

The Spiritual Life Center invites you to celebrate this time of renewal at its annual Luncheon and Fundraiser/ Silent Auction, featuring the inspiration and sacred music of Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil.

Cost: Tiered cost of $75 or $90. https://www.spiritlifectr.org/the-spiritual-life-center-annual-spring-luncheon-and-fundraiser-a-season-for-renewal

This livestream service of will consist of contemplative chanting & pauses of quiet for reflection. All are welcome. https://www.crowdcast.io/c/healing-prayers192

Note - cover photo is by Eric Kessler

On the first Monday of each month at 1pm E/T I will be joining Christine Valters Paintner (Abbess of Abbey of the Arts) to co-facilitate a contemplative worship service on Zoom. All are most welcome. The cost of this zoom event is $10 or $20 (free scholarships are also provided for those in need).

https://abbeyofthearts.com/calendar/contemplative-prayer-service-may2024/

This online informal, contemplative worship service will focus on the topic of healing. All are welcome to this online event. https://www.crowdcast.io/c/healing-prayers191

Virtual Celtic Pilgrimage: Gathering at Beltane with Irish Saints Colman, Sourney & Patrick.
Facilitated by Christine Valters Paintner and Simon de Voil. Hosted by Abbey of the Arts on Zoom and featuring a plethora of amazing teachers as well as stunning videography from the Morgan Brothers.

April 23rd - May 1st 2024 10am-11.15am ET

Registration link - https://abbeyofthearts.com/calendar/virtual-celtic-pilgrimage-beltane/

I am delighted to have been asked by 'Companions on the Inner Way' to lead a St Francis & St Clare themed retreat in a beautiful, old Franciscan monastery in Malibu California.

Link for more information: https://cotiway.org/next-retreat/

Video where Jeanette and I talk about this retreat https://youtu.be/40N7Pk0zxmc

I will be offering music for the 8 am contemplative Easter Sunday service. All are welcome to join the congregation for this celebration of Easter. This service will be livestreamed on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/live/DQXnGlDBpw4?si=nPfia6W6byMLt3If

Please note that St James offers two Easter Sunday services; I will be part of the later 10.30am service, but I won't be leading music.

I will be supporting the ministry team of St James by offering music during this Maundy Thursday ritual. All are welcome to join the congregation for this special worship service.

You can find the schedule for the entire week I will be with St James here: https://www.stjameswnc.org/calendar

I will be supporting the ministry team of St James by offering music for this special Holy Week worship service, honoring Mary Magdalene in ritual, song and word. All are welcome to join the congregation for this special worship service.

You can find the schedule for the entire week I will be with St James here https://www.stjameswnc.org/calendar

The public are welcome to attend this free concert hosted by St. James.

You can find the schedule for the entire week I will be with St James here: https://www.stjameswnc.org/calendar

I will be playing music while folks walk the labyrinth holding prayers for peace. All are welcome.

You can find the schedule for the entire week I will be with St James here: https://www.stjameswnc.org/calendar

Concert on the outdoor Labyrinth. As evening falls and birdsong gives way to starlight and the frog chorus, welcome the return of spring with music to soothe the soul and nourish the spirit. Rain location: Chapel of The Transfiguration.

This concert is part of my Wild Sanctuary retreat but you can buy tickets for just the concert ($20) or the concert & dinner for ($40) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-equinox-labyrinth-concert-with-simon-de-voil-tickets-838159346167?aff=oddtdtcreator

Taizé inspired service of contemplative chanting. All are welcome to this online and in person service. If you would like to learn more about my online interspiritual ministry please visit https://www.patreon.com/simondevoil or go to https://simondevoil.com

Join Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil during his residency for this special two day in person retreat. With the beautiful forested landscape of Kanuga as our sanctuary, each day will include a blend of wisdom teachings in the Celtic tradition, contemplative practices including song, chanting, and silence, and personal time for reflection.

Other retreat highlights will include:

Daily Birdsong Vespers, an inclusive outdoor worship that welcomes each evening with song and prayer

Tools and practices to support finding our place in the web of creation

Special outdoor Equinox concert

https://www.kanuga.org/celtic-christianity-retreat/

Join guides Dr. Jeanette Banashak & Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil as they returns to Kanuga to guide SDI's Forest Bathing Retreat.

For all spiritual directors, companions, and seekers, we invite you to spend a week immersing in nature, breathing the clean forest air, finding silence and stillness, and experience deep listening on new levels.

https://www.sdicompanions.org/event/forest-bathing-2024-nature-immersion-and-deep-listening-2/

You are welcome to join this small congregation for their 5pm Ash Wednesday contemplative service.

In person and online - Zoom details can be found here: https://fpcbarre.org/worship/

This Ash Wednesday livestream service will consist of contemplative chanting & pauses of quiet for reflection. All are welcome. https://www.crowdcast.io/c/healing-prayers184

This is a relaxed Informal gathering to sip coffee, chat and connect. I may also sing a few songs by request.

https://www.crowdcast.io/c/589y9d813fw7