Spiritual Life
Contact: Cathy Tamsberg, Minister of Outreach and Adult Education
919.828.0897, x214
ctamsberg@pullen.org
In the words of the prophet Micah, we are called to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” This verse from Micah 6:8 serves as a watchword for Pullen’s life and ministry. Although we often focus on the “doing justice-loving kindness” portions of the prophet’s statement, our desire is that all of our life together as the Pullen community will help us “walk humbly with God.
We believe that spirituality is deeply connected not only to our personal faith, but also to our social justice witness in the world. Consequently, we try to connect all of our activities to our relationship with the divine. In small groups, quiet days, labyrinth walks, and retreats as well as in meetings, fellowship, camps, and outreach, our search for the sacred in all of life is our most important task.
Labyrinth
A labyrinth can be thought of as a symbolic form of pilgrimage. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. In ancient times, many people could not afford to travel to holy sites and lands, so labyrinths and prayer substituted for such travel. Today walking a labyrinth is a spiritual experience. It represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools, and this is the purpose the Pullen labyrinth.
We are excited to have a permanent labyrinth painted on the hardwood floor of the new chapel. It is available for meditation and prayer on Sunday mornings during the Sunday school hour and upon request during the week. Please ask in the church office for access.
(Labyrinth photo and chapel in the rain photo on the home page by Marc Lamkin)
Spiritual Life Group
Contact: Suzanne Hayes
The Spiritual Life Group (SLG) is a small group of Pullen people who have a special interest in spirituality. The group meets on a called basis, typically every two months, in a group member’s home to deepen their own spiritual lives and to plan ways to foster the spiritual experience of the Pullen congregation. Meetings include checking in, an extended time of silence, and attention to activities or events that support the spiritual life of the Pullen family.
Regular activities of the SLG include the labyrinth, a prayer vigil during Lent, and periodic Wednesday night programs on aspects of prayer and spirituality. The group also adds books to the Pullen library on topics like prayer and spirituality. Newcomers are always welcome.