Good Shepherd New York

Psalms of the Epiphany: Psalm 99

Welcome to the fifth episode of Psalms of the Epiphany, a weekly series of heartfelt reflections guided by one of our pastors, Alicia Divers. As a Spiritual Director and Somatic Practitioner, Alicia seamlessly integrates mindful awareness of the body into her pastoral work. Inspired by St. Ignatius’ imaginative approach, she pairs these contemplative practices with Nan Merrill’s beautiful paraphrase of each week’s Psalm. For Further Spiritual Exploration, Enhance your reflection by journaling the following questions available in our series overview: How do you experience the presence of the Divine in your everyday life? When life moves quickly and distractions pull you in many directions, how do you recognize the moments when divine guidance or a gentle illumination finds you? How might these moments invite you to pause and reconnect with your inner wisdom? What does a sacred pause look like for you? In times of uncertainty or challenge, how do you carve out moments of stillness to center yourself? What practices of silence, embodied presence, or mindful reflection help you gain clarity and reorient your path? How do you translate the good news of hope, love, and justice into everyday actions? As you experience personal transformation, in what ways can you share that renewed sense of purpose with those around you? How might your actions—both small and significant—contribute to healing and positive change in your community? How do you connect your inner journey with the needs of the world around you? When reflecting on your personal growth, how do you discern the interplay between your inner life and external responsibilities? In what ways does your personal reflection inspire you to foster greater compassion, inclusion, and justice in the broader world? Resource Links: * Book Resource: Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill [https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Praying-Invitation-Nan-Merrill/dp/0826419062/] * Good Shepherd New York: www.goodshepherdnewyork.com [http://www.goodshepherdnewyork.com/] * Find Out More About Alicia: www.somatic-spirituality.com [http://www.somatic-spirituality.com/] Music and Mixing: * Music Credit: David Gungor * Editing: David Gungor & Michael Rudzena Closing Thoughts: We hope this first meditation enriches your faith and strengthens our community in Christ. Tune in each week for new reflections and continue your journey of spiritual growth with us.

Psalms of the Epiphany: Psalm 37

Welcome to the fourth episode of Psalms of the Epiphany, a weekly series of heartfelt reflections guided by one of our pastors, Alicia Divers. As a Spiritual Director and Somatic Practitioner, Alicia seamlessly integrates mindful awareness of the body into her pastoral work. Inspired by St. Ignatius’ imaginative approach, she pairs these contemplative practices with Nan Merrill’s beautiful paraphrase of each week’s Psalm. For Further Spiritual Exploration, Enhance your reflection by journaling the following questions available in our series overview: 1.  What is taking up your head space these days? In a time when the world feels unsteady and unmoored—when the news cycle, social media, and the demands of life pull our attention outward—how do you notice this affecting your inner life? How might this psalm be an invitation to turn toward prayer instead of anxiety? 2. What does prayer look like in your life?  How has your understanding or experience of prayer evolved over time? Are there practices—perhaps silence, stillness, or embodied presence—that you might explore as forms of prayer?" 3. How do you re-orient yourself? In moments when life feels chaotic or unsteady, what helps you reorient toward Love and Truth? How does shifting your focus from external distractions to an inner grounding in peace change your experience?" Resource Links: * Book Resource: Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill [https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Praying-Invitation-Nan-Merrill/dp/0826419062/] * Good Shepherd New York: www.goodshepherdnewyork.com [http://www.goodshepherdnewyork.com/] * Find Out More About Alicia: www.somatic-spirituality.com [http://www.somatic-spirituality.com/] Music and Mixing: * Music Credit: David Gungor * Editing: David Gungor & Michael Rudzena Closing Thoughts: We hope this first meditation enriches your faith and strengthens our community in Christ. Tune in each week for new reflections and continue your journey of spiritual growth with us.

Psalms of the Epiphany: Psalm 1

Welcome to the third episode of Psalms of the Epiphany, a weekly series of heartfelt reflections guided by one of our pastors, Alicia Divers. As a Spiritual Director and Somatic Practitioner, Alicia seamlessly integrates mindful awareness of the body into her pastoral work. Inspired by St. Ignatius’ imaginative approach, she pairs these contemplative practices with Nan Merrill’s beautiful paraphrase of each week’s Psalm. For Further Spiritual Exploration, Enhance your reflection by journaling the following questions available in our series overview: 1. Think back to a time when you felt like you were truly flourishing. What were the hallmarks of that season—what made it feel alive, grounded, or full? Do you feel like you are in a season of flourishing now? If not, what has shifted? What do you miss about that time, and what might be inviting you toward renewal in this season of your life? 2. Are there places in your life where you need to extend forgiveness—to yourself or to someone else? How might withholding forgiveness be blocking your ability to flourish fully? Take a moment to reflect: What is the fruit of unforgiveness in your life? What is it producing in your heart, your body, or your relationships? And what might be possible if forgiveness were allowed to take root? 3. The psalmist invites us to walk hand in hand with goodness, stand beside virtue, and sit in the seat of truth—each a deeply embodied image. As you reflect on these actions, which one resonates most with your current season of life? Where do you feel invited to walk, stand, or rest in deeper alignment with these qualities? How might embodying these postures shape the way you move through the world? Resource Links: * Book Resource: Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill [https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Praying-Invitation-Nan-Merrill/dp/0826419062/] * Good Shepherd New York: www.goodshepherdnewyork.com [http://www.goodshepherdnewyork.com/] * Find Out More About Alicia: www.somatic-spirituality.com [http://www.somatic-spirituality.com/] Music and Mixing: * Music Credit: David Gungor * Editing: David Gungor & Michael Rudzena Closing Thoughts: We hope this first meditation enriches your faith and strengthens our community in Christ. Tune in each week for new reflections and continue your journey of spiritual growth with us.

Psalms of the Epiphany: Psalm 138

Welcome to the second episode of Psalms of the Epiphany, a weekly series of heartfelt reflections guided by one of our pastors, Alicia Divers. As a Spiritual Director and Somatic Practitioner, Alicia seamlessly integrates mindful awareness of the body into her pastoral work. Inspired by St. Ignatius’ imaginative approach, she pairs these contemplative practices with Nan Merrill’s beautiful paraphrase of each week’s Psalm. For Further Spiritual Exploration, Enhance your reflection by journaling the following questions available in our series overview: 1. Reflecting on Dimensions: During the centering practice, you were invited to consider the dimensions of length (representing dignity), width (symbolizing connection), and depth (reflecting the interplay of past, present, and future). Which of these dimensions resonated with you the most, and how did it deepen your awareness of God's love and guidance? 2. Inviting Divine Presence: As you intentionally opened your heart to invite God's light and love into these dimensions, what transformation or shift did you notice within yourself? Could you share an insight or moment of clarity that emerged from this practice? 3. Embracing Divine Guidance: If you feel comfortable, can you identify an area in your life where you are seeking God's strength and direction? In what way did the psalmist's words offer you insight or hope regarding this challenge? Resource Links: * Book Resource: Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill [https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Praying-Invitation-Nan-Merrill/dp/0826419062/] * Good Shepherd New York: www.goodshepherdnewyork.com [http://www.goodshepherdnewyork.com/] * Find Out More About Alicia: www.somatic-spirituality.com [http://www.somatic-spirituality.com/] Music and Mixing: * Music Credit: David Gungor * Editing: David Gungor & Michael Rudzena Closing Thoughts: We hope this first meditation enriches your faith and strengthens our community in Christ. Tune in each week for new reflections and continue your journey of spiritual growth with us.

Psalms of the Epiphany: Psalm 84

Welcome to the first episode of Psalms of the Epiphany, a weekly series of heartfelt reflections guided by one of our pastors, Alicia Divers. As a Spiritual Director and Somatic Practitioner, Alicia seamlessly integrates mindful awareness of the body into her pastoral work. Inspired by St. Ignatius’ imaginative approach, she pairs these contemplative practices with Nan Merrill’s beautiful paraphrase of each week’s Psalm. For Further Spiritual Exploration, Enhance your reflection by journaling the following questions available in our series overview: 1. Which image resonated most with you—the sparrow or the table? If the sparrow resonated with you: What place came to mind as a space where you sense the presence of God? Is there a physical or imagined place where you feel safe to simply rest and be as you are, without needing to strive or change? If the table resonated with you: What would you need to receive or take from the table to remind you that you are enough—welcomed, loved, and fully included? Is there something you long for that would help you feel more connected to this sense of divine hospitality? 2. What does embodied divine hospitality look like in your own life? How do you actively welcome and embrace others as God welcomes you? 3. How can taking personal responsibility to embody divine hospitality lead to transformation within our local church community and the  broader Church? In what ways can our individual changes impact how the Church welcomes and serves others in our community and beyond? Resource Links: * Book Resource: Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill [https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Praying-Invitation-Nan-Merrill/dp/0826419062/] * Good Shepherd New York: www.goodshepherdnewyork.com [http://www.goodshepherdnewyork.com/] * Find Out More About Alicia: www.somatic-spirituality.com [http://www.somatic-spirituality.com/] Music and Mixing: * Music Credit: David Gungor * Editing: David Gungor & Michael Rudzena Closing Thoughts: We hope this first meditation enriches your faith and strengthens our community in Christ. Tune in each week for new reflections and continue your journey of spiritual growth with us.