Author Archives: friendmarcelle

About friendmarcelle

A Quaker writer, teacher, workshop leader, and spiritual director, I've traveled widely to facilitate workshops and retreats about the spiritual journey. I'm the author of Our Life is Love: The Quaker Spiritual Journey, and A Guide to Faithfulness Groups.

Prayer of the World: A Rainbow Psalm

Posted on November 13, 2021 by friendmarcelle

Each time I’ve seen the Prayer of the World, I’ve felt shaken out of a certain dull habituation with this world to see more clearly God’s awesome handiwork. Each time it has been breathtaking to recognize more clearly the wisdom and healing power present in Creation. The world is alive to its sacred source and it is calling us to wake up to the sacredness of our own nature and to our interconnection with Spirit and with all created things. Its message for humanity is an urgent one, calling us to awaken. Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Contemplative spirituality, environmental activism, prayer, Stories that Heal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Brightening of Terry Patten

Posted on November 2, 2021 by friendmarcelle

Author and spiritual teacher Terry Patten died early Saturday morning, Oct 30th. His passing is mourned by many who benefited from his comprehensive, integral vision of life and by those who were touched by the heart with which he gave … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Facing Life with Faith, Living in a Time of Pandemic, spiritual practices, Stories that Heal | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Opening to Our Direct Connection with the Divine

Posted on August 20, 2021 by friendmarcelle

When I was in my mid-twenties, my graduate school program was not meeting my great longing to understand the nature of reality. I began to seek inwardly. Yearning to know what life was about, I paid attention to my inner … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Contemplative spirituality, Mysticism, prayer, Quaker Faith Today, spiritual practices | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Eating for the Planet

Posted on July 21, 2021 by friendmarcelle

When I was a teenager, I was inspired by Frances Moore Lappe’s book Diet for a Small Planet. I read it as part of my research for the high school debate team; that year the nation-wide topic was how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Quaker Faith Today | 10 Comments

Healing the Disconnect and Going Deeper Together

Posted on May 20, 2021 by friendmarcelle

When I’ve been invited to give a talk, teach a class, or facilitate a workshop or retreat, a powerful inner, creative, spiritual process is often set in motion. In many cases, the process surely begins long before the invitation arrives … Continue reading →

Posted in Quaker Faith Today | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Healing Meditation

Posted on December 31, 2020 by friendmarcelle

During my morning time of prayer and meditation, while listening for guidance, it came to me to make a recording of the guided meditation/prayer that I offered during some online workshops in 2020.  It begins with attention to the body,  … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Contemplative spirituality, healing, meditation, spiritual practices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Revolutionary Love

Posted on November 27, 2020 by friendmarcelle

I recently read a moving, powerful book that combines the personal, spiritual, and political, to show how, in the life of author Valarie Kaur, they are one. Kaur was raised in a faith that taught her to “see no stranger,” … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Facing Life with Faith, Stories that Heal, Working for Peace and Justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Stay With Me

Posted on November 10, 2020 by friendmarcelle

On the night of this year’s Presidential election, I joined three different online vigils with Friends. Four years ago, I had spent many difficult hours alone on election night before the results were clear. This time around, there were again … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative spirituality, Facing Life with Faith, Living in a Time of Pandemic, Quaker Faith Today | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

One Nation Under Love

Posted on November 4, 2020 by friendmarcelle

A poem by Ken Jacobsen, a Quaker who lives in Wisconsin: One Nation Under Love    it is good to remember    in this time of political stress,    we are all already citizens    of the country of Love, … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Facing Life with Faith, healing, Quaker Faith Today, Radical Christianity, Stories that Heal, Working for Peace and Justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interviewing EarthQuaker Carl Magruder

Posted on September 28, 2020 by friendmarcelle

Recently I had the opportunity to interview an extraordinary Friend, Quaker hospice chaplain and traveling minister Carl Magruder.  At the time of our interview, more than 500 wildfires were raging in the state of California, where he lives.  He spoke … Continue reading →

Posted in All of Life is Sacred, Facing Life with Faith, Following a Leading, Quaker Faith Today, Supporting Spirit-led Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments