The World Day of Prayer Service on the first Friday of March has become an annual event at Andrews of Charlottetown. This year, the service was prepared by the women of the Philippines. We are very fortunate in having a number of Filipino young women on our staff. Their involvement and participation added a very special flavor to this occasion. Some of them wore their native costumes. They brought flags and memorabilia which were artistically displayed. They even brought their traditional food. During the service, they sang their National Anthem. They were featured in the Entrance Procession carrying symbols as each was explained. Residents, staff and volunteers collaborated to provide a prayerful and memorable experience.
Kathleen Dowling Singh who is a psychotherapist and dharma practitioner has 3 recent books which encourage a non-dualistic appreciation and awareness of the graces within the stages of our lives. Both Richard Rohr and Ron Rolheiser frequently refer to her work. The books can be read in any order and the titles give some clue as to the particular focus. They are: The Grace in Aging: Awaken as You Grow Older, The Grace in Dying: How We are Transformed Spiritually as We Die, and The Grace in Living: Recognize It, Trust It, Abide in It.
The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea (Foreword by Margaret J. Wheatley. 2010: Berrett-Koehler Pub. CA)
The authors of the book maintain: "Circle gives us space to sit down in our not knowing, to hear each other out, and to hold on to the story while taking the next step forward." This book is about a way to meet in groups and have every voice heard. It requires some preparation and an invitation. The authors use the term “host” instead of ‘the usual “facilitator.” A facilitator, they say, is expected to stay outside the process, and a host enters into it. The book has success stories from business, health care, education, and non-profit organizations to help readers understand how it can work.
