A Letter from Our Director
“WORLD DRAWING GOD DAY”
Dear Friends,
Did you know that practically every day of the year is either “National” or “World” something day? Some months have several things every day that commemorate them. The month of August is filled with them: sandcastle day, mustard day, chocolate chip day, root beer float day, balloon day, happiness happens day, thrift shop day, best friend day, bad poetry day, dog day (seems appropriate for August), toasted marshmallow day . . . to name a few!!! And that’s just for the month of August! It appears that we as a people are ready and willing to celebrate literally anything and everything!
I recently discovered that there is even a “World Drawing God Day.” It is celebrated in November. Children especially are encouraged to draw a picture of what they think God looks like. This might be an interesting activity for adults as well. What does God “look” like to you? Now, we know that God is spirit; God has no body. But how do you envision God and who is God for you? Joan Chittister, in her book, In Search of Belief, comments on Jesus’ teaching, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God is exactly that: the “place” where God reigns. If we want to see what God looks like all we need do is look into the faces of humanity all around us (and even take a look in the mirror), acknowledge a spiritual insight, witness the kind act of another or the handshake of friends, watch a sunrise or sunset, laugh with family and friends, witness justice being served and compassion being offered. Examples of God’s presence in our world are endless. All of the above and so many more gestures, experiences, insightful moments are what God looks like. All we have to do is pay attention. The Jewish mystic, Simone Weil, likens paying attention to an act of praying. Being aware of God’s action all around us, paying attention to it, is PRAYER! Amazing!
After pondering what we think God “looks” like, perhaps the next time we greet someone or say good-bye to him or her, instead of saying “Have a good day,” we might consider saying, “Have a GOD day!” So . . .
Have a God day, everyone!
Dear Friends,
Did you know that practically every day of the year is either “National” or “World” something day? Some months have several things every day that commemorate them. The month of August is filled with them: sandcastle day, mustard day, chocolate chip day, root beer float day, balloon day, happiness happens day, thrift shop day, best friend day, bad poetry day, dog day (seems appropriate for August), toasted marshmallow day . . . to name a few!!! And that’s just for the month of August! It appears that we as a people are ready and willing to celebrate literally anything and everything!
I recently discovered that there is even a “World Drawing God Day.” It is celebrated in November. Children especially are encouraged to draw a picture of what they think God looks like. This might be an interesting activity for adults as well. What does God “look” like to you? Now, we know that God is spirit; God has no body. But how do you envision God and who is God for you? Joan Chittister, in her book, In Search of Belief, comments on Jesus’ teaching, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God is exactly that: the “place” where God reigns. If we want to see what God looks like all we need do is look into the faces of humanity all around us (and even take a look in the mirror), acknowledge a spiritual insight, witness the kind act of another or the handshake of friends, watch a sunrise or sunset, laugh with family and friends, witness justice being served and compassion being offered. Examples of God’s presence in our world are endless. All of the above and so many more gestures, experiences, insightful moments are what God looks like. All we have to do is pay attention. The Jewish mystic, Simone Weil, likens paying attention to an act of praying. Being aware of God’s action all around us, paying attention to it, is PRAYER! Amazing!
After pondering what we think God “looks” like, perhaps the next time we greet someone or say good-bye to him or her, instead of saying “Have a good day,” we might consider saying, “Have a GOD day!” So . . .
Have a God day, everyone!
Hopefully, you have seen the news on our Home Page about the available Reflections we offered during our Lenten months, via YouTube, as well as the Reflections of Sister Marie and Sister Cathy during the pandemic. Please see our new page, Zoom and YouTube Library, to access these. Simply click the link to view them!
Please remember that you are always in our prayers and we ask a remembrance in yours, as well. Don't forget that you are always welcome to call or email us with any special intentions you wish us to put in our Convent Book of Prayer Intentions! The email address is ihmconferencecenter@gmail.com and our office phone is 610-581-0120.
Hopefully, you have seen the news on our Home Page about the available Reflections we offered during our Lenten months, via YouTube, as well as the Reflections of Sister Marie and Sister Cathy during the pandemic. Please see our new page, Zoom and YouTube Library, to access these. Simply click the link to view them!
Please remember that you are always in our prayers and we ask a remembrance in yours, as well. Don't forget that you are always welcome to call or email us with any special intentions you wish us to put in our Convent Book of Prayer Intentions! The email address is ihmconferencecenter@gmail.com and our office phone is 610-581-0120.
WE OFFER OUR GRATITUDE!
We often have folks contact us by phone or email asking how they can be a help to us...as a way of showing their gratitude for just being a part of our Conference Center "Family!" First of all, we are always so very grateful for a remembrance in your prayers as that is the best support to us in our ministry. Each day at our Morning Prayer, which we pray in common, we specifically ask God's blessings on our "Benefactors"...those who have gifted us with their presence, their time, their prayers and their treasure. If you would like to become one of our monetary Benefactors, we will gratefully accept a donation in any amount toward our ministry. Checks should be made to IHM Conference Center and sent to Sister Marie Gipprich at the Center. We are most grateful for all that you do for us and continue to ask God's blessings on each one and your special intentions! Thank you!
We often have folks contact us by phone or email asking how they can be a help to us...as a way of showing their gratitude for just being a part of our Conference Center "Family!" First of all, we are always so very grateful for a remembrance in your prayers as that is the best support to us in our ministry. Each day at our Morning Prayer, which we pray in common, we specifically ask God's blessings on our "Benefactors"...those who have gifted us with their presence, their time, their prayers and their treasure. If you would like to become one of our monetary Benefactors, we will gratefully accept a donation in any amount toward our ministry. Checks should be made to IHM Conference Center and sent to Sister Marie Gipprich at the Center. We are most grateful for all that you do for us and continue to ask God's blessings on each one and your special intentions! Thank you!
Please be sure to look for us on Facebook: IHM Conference/Retreat Center in Bryn Mawr, PA...if you like and share our posts, you will be helping to spread the ministry of the Center to others! Thank you!
Also, be sure to check out our new Photo Gallery Pages by clicking here! We are posting, in slideshow format, all the photos we have taken at any event or program hosted here at the Center.