This liturgy was written collectively by the 2025 CCDA National Conference Attendees. Father, thank you for the openness to press into lament, while still having joy because of your Holy Spirit. May our movement for shalom come from the cries of our ancestors, who also carried the same …
When Prayer Develops a Community
How do you rest from your work and worship God? A half mile from my house on the east side of Cleveland, OH, sits a Benedictine monastery called St. Andrew Abbey. It is the oldest religious institution in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood. My community has a history of white flight from the 1950s …
A Mindful Garden for Our Time
This post is part of CCDA’s Mental Health Awareness Month. CCDA has a plethora of options to increase your mental health support, and we are constantly adding new resources to help you and your community flourish. Join us for an event, complete the Mental Health Survey, or download …
When Worship Develops a Community
If I asked you, “What’s the one thing most needed for Christian community development?” What would you say? Strategy? Relationships? Funding? These are all essential ingredients, but is there one thing that is most important? The last year and a half have taught me and others in Cleveland, OH, that …
Our Souls Restored: Walking and Imaginative Prayer
by Rev. Michaele LaVigne This is part 2 of a 2-part series. Find part 1 here. As we begin a new year, it’s a good time to consider how we are giving our Good Shepherd time and space to restore our souls. There are many ways that we can offer ourselves to our shepherd’s care, but I …
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I’m From Uvalde
I’m from Uvalde. Now, when I say that, I am often met with a sigh, groan, or an awkward silence. Like many of you, I found out about the Robb Elementary School shooting through social media. Robb Elementary was the elementary school that I went to - now, it is a crime scene. My elementary school …
Lent Week 5: Fostering Intimacy With Christ
Preparation – Some Prayers Take Time 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be …
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