This Fall we will meet together on Tuesday nights to study 1 Peter together and finish with three weeks covering the creeds of the church, how to use the Book of Common Prayer, and an introduction to the sacraments and the life and mission of the church. The book of 1 Peter was written to people sojourning through a land to which they did not belong and it answers many of the questions that you and I have about how to live as Christians who do not belong to this world. In our time together we will navigate the complicated space between withdrawing from the world and assimilation to it.

While many churches around the country are asking the question, “How do we re-gather?” at TFS Mission we are asking the question, “How do we gather?” If we were not in lock down, we could gather as a large group, people could exchange contact information, and there would be natural ways to get together and connect. The external limitations brought about by COVID-19 keep us from having organic in-person meetings — many of those involved have only met one another on Zoom thus far.

Does everyday feel somewhat chaotic right now? You are certainly not alone. Check out the TFS Mission Facebook page where we will offer daily morning prayer over livestream Mondays and Fridays as well as Midday prayer on Wednesdays at noon. Morning prayer won't always be at the same time, but the beauty of livestream is that if you can't join us live, you can follow along when you are able. You can download the liturgy here or use your 2019 BCP if you have one.

During this pandemic many of us can be grateful for two things: 1) access to what we need, and 2) the means to obtain it. At the same time, we are mindful that not all people around us have both the access and the means to get what they need.

In the weeks and months to come, we will begin a series of short articles answering common questions that people ask about the Franconia-Springfield Mission and about the nature of Anglicanism more broadly. Today we will look at how praying written prayers can become a tool for the Holy Spirit to fashion us into the image of Christ. The question is this: Are we being faithful and authentic by praying written prayers?