Day 1 - beginning

Dear friend,

Welcome to the St John's Devotional Reading Project!

We've entitled this project "Seeds" - each day through Lent we will allow seeds to be planted in our minds, in our hearts, in our souls...

The Leader of our Devotional Journey is Thomas a Kempis. These devotional meditations, written more than 500 years ago, can provide for us a starting point from which to move into healthy and searching times of reflection during this Lent.

The purpose of this project is to encourage people to engage with devotional writings that have substance.

A secondary purpose is also to try to bring devotional reading to life by making it more easily accesible and encouraging some interaction and conversation between fellow readers...

Some suggestions for the 40 days:

1. Try to read everyday. Each meditation should not take longer than 5 minutes to read. With time for reflection, 5-10 minutes should be sufficient. This should be achievable even for a very busy person.

2. Try to make a little time to think about the reading. There are one or two questions included after each meditation to assist you in reflecting on what Thomas is saying.

3. Use the method that is most helpful for you:

• We can provide printed notes, or email you a copy of the devotions. I have attatched the first 8 devotions to this email - more are on their way. The Devotions are provided in Adobe Acrobat format. You can download a free Adobe Reader (which is useful and essential software) by clicking here.
• Alternatively, if you have internet access, try visiting the Seeds Website and access the daily devotion there.
• On the website you will find a link to the Seeds Blog where I will post a daily response to the devotion and invite comments, questions and further responses from anyone who would like to engage deeper. I would encourage as many people as possible to visit the Blog, listen to what others are saying and make a comment.
• Finally, we can provide you with a CD of the devotions, read by Ian Wiseman and featuring contemplative music to assist in quieting yourself to listen to the daily reading. If you would like a CD please email me and you can collect it from the Potter's House. (if you have an iPod, you can also download the devotions in mp3 format from the website) The purpose of the CD/mp3's format is two-fold, to assist those who are not able to read easily and also to provide a way for busy people to participate while driving or at the gym.

Remember the Ash Wednesday service at 5.30pm today (6th) which marks the beginning of Lent. If possible try to stay for 10 minutes after the service to meet with others who are doing the Seeds project...

I am looking forward to the journey!!!