Solace
By Chris Fosten
Solace is a space for you to spend some time in quiet contemplation with God - with the Bible and with yourself.
Some simple instructions for a couple of the practices are here: solacepod.com/2020/03/30/solace-resources/
SolaceApr 08, 2020
Solace 2.2 - "Making things new"
This month’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available here.
The reading is taken from Revelation 21: 5, and the poem featured is ‘The Skylight’ by Seamus Heaney – which appears in “Opened Ground: Poems 1966-1996” published by Faber and Faber, 1998.
The music used is the track “Taking the Time” from the album '10 Minute Meditations’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 2.1: "Carrying Light"
Welcome back to Solace! What was intended to be a few weeks' break may have become a few months, but this was never something I can leave entirely...
The new season of reflections will try and focus on a central theme - however tenuous! - each time, and depending on how weighty the situation feels around us all at the time I make them, may or may not be a little more topical.
This first week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer – everything you need to know is in the audio) – but if you haven’t got access to the instructions and would like it for the Examen it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from John 12:35, and the poem featured is ‘Choices’ by Tess Gallagher– which appears in ‘Midnight Lantern: New and Selected Poems’, published by Graywolf Press, 2011.
The music used is the track “Lunar Orbit” from the album 'Apollo 11’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 015: Isaiah 40 and Billy Collins
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Isaiah 40: 7-8, and the poem featured is ‘Forsythia’ by Billy Collins – which appears in Poetry Magazine, April 1995, published by Poetry Foundation.
The music used is the track “October Lane” from the album '5 Minute Meditations, vol.4’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 014: Matthew 7 and Mary Oliver
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer – everything you need to know is in the audio) – but if you haven’t got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Matthew 7: 1-3, and the poem featured is ‘The Song of the Builders’ by Mary Oliver – which appears in her 2005 collection “Why I Wake Early: New Poems” published by Beacon Press.
The music used is the track “Affirmation” from the album ‘10 Minute Meditations’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 013: Isaiah 58 and Denise Levertov
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Isaiah 58: 11, and the poem featured is ‘The Fountain’ by Denise Levertov – which appears in “The Collected Poems” published by New Directions, 2013.
The music used is the track “Lunar Orbit” from the album 'Apollo 11’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 012: Luke 15 and Naomi Shihab Nye
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer - everything you need to know is in the audio) - but if you haven't got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Luke 15: 4-6, and the poem featured is ‘Shoulders’ by Naomi Shihab Nye – which appears in her 1994 collection “Red Suitcase” published by BOA Editions.
The music used is the track “Dream Colours” from the album 'Time-Lapse Volume 4: Sleep Music’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 011: Psalm 25 and ee cummings
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available at https://solacepod.com/2020/03/30/solace-resources/.
The Bible reading is Psalm 95: 4-7, and the poem featured is ‘i thank you god for this most amazing’ by ee cummings – from Selected Poems, published by Liveright.
The music used is the track ‘Birds’ from the album '5 Minute Meditations vol.4 by Lee Rosevere – go explore his wonderful stuff – https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 010: John 14 and Robert Frost
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer - everything you need to know is in the audio) - but if you haven't got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from John 14: 3-6, and the poem featured is ‘The Road Less Taken’ by Robert Frost– which appears in the collection “Selected Poems” published by Penguin.
The music used is the track “Mountain With Many Rivers” from the album 'Time-Lapse Volume 3: ASMR’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 009: Matthew 5 and Brian Patten
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Matthew 5: 13-16, and the poem featured is ‘One Another's Light’ by Brian Patten – which appears in “Selected Poems” published by Penguin, 2007.
The music used is the track “Lunar Orbit” from the album 'Apollo 11’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 008: Psalm 25 and Michael Symmons Roberts
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer - everything you need to know is in the audio) - but if you haven't got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Psalm 25: 4-5, and the poem featured is ‘Discoverers’ by Michael Symmons Roberts– which appears in his 2013 collection “Drysalter” published by Jonathan Cape.
The music used is the track “At the Edges of Sleep” from the album 'Time-Lapse Volume 4: Sleep Music’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 007: Matthew 6 and Wendell Berry
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Matthew 6: 27-29, and the poem featured is ‘The Peace of Wild Things’ by Wendell Berry – which appears in “The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry” published by Counterpoint.
The music used is the track “Taking the Time” from the album '10 Minute Meditations’ by Lee Rosevere– go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 006: Psalm 33 and Chris Fosten
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer - everything you need to know is in the audio) - but if you haven't got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from Psalm 33: 3-5, and the poem featured is ‘On Days I Am Aware’ by Chris Fosten – which first appeared in the 2018 anthology "Reaching For Mercy" published by Proost.
The music used is the track ‘October Lane’ from the album '5 Minute Meditations Volume 4' by Lee Rosevere – go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 005: 1 Peter and R.S. Thomas
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available here.
The Bible reading is taken from 1 Peter 3: 3-4, and the poem featured is ‘The Bright Field’ by R.S. Thomas – which first appeared in the 1975 collection "Laboratories of the Spirit" published by Macmillan.
The music used is the track ‘Affirmation’ from the album '10 Minute Meditations' by Lee Rosevere – go explore his stuff! https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 004: Luke 23 and Roger Robinson
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening(there are no written instructions for the listening prayer - everything you need to know is in the audio) - but if you haven't got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen, it is available here: https://solacepod.com/2020/03/30/solace-resources/
The Bible reading is Luke 23: 39-43, and the poem featured is ‘A Portable Paradise’ by Roger Robinson – from his 2019 collection 'A Portable Paradise' published by Peepal Tree Press.
The music used is the track ‘Mountain with Many Rivers’ from the album 'Time-Lapse Volume 3 - ASMR' by Lee Rosevere – go explore his stuff – https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 003: Psalm 121: 1-3 and Carol Ann Duffy (01.04.2020)
This week’s Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of Lectio Divina – if you would like the resource sheet for the suggested steps for both of these, it is available at https://solacepod.com/2020/03/30/solace-resources/.
The Bible reading is Psalm 121: 1-3, and the poem featured is ‘Prayer’ by Carol Ann Duffy – from her 2013 collection 'Mean Time' published by Picador.
The music used is the track ‘Birds’ from the album '5 Minute Meditations vol.4 by Lee Rosevere – go explore his stuff – https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 002: Galatians 5: 22-23 and UA Fanthorpe (25.03.2020)
This week's Solace includes an Examen prayer and a time of listening (there are no written instructions for the listening prayer - everything you need to know is in the audio) - but if you haven't got access to the resource sheet and would like it for the Examen, it is available here: http://solacepod.com/2020/03/30/solace-resource-sheet
The Bible reading is Galatians 5: 22-23, and the meditation features the wonderful poem 'Atlas' by UA Fanthorpe - which first appeared in her 1995 collection 'Safe As Houses' published by Peterloo Poets.
The music featured is the track 'Taking the Time' from the album '10 Minute Meditations by Lee Rosevere - go explore his stuff - https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com
Solace 001: Mark 4: 30-32 and Wendy Cope (18.03.2020)
This was the first test of the Solace format, so do forgive some rough edges here and there.
The Bible reading is Mark 4: 30-32 (the Parable of the Mustard Seed), and the meditation features the wonderful poem 'Orb' by Wendy Cope - which appears in her 2018 collection "Anecdotal Evidence". Do go and buy it from an independent retailer - or the Poetry Book Society: https://www.poetrybooks.co.uk/products/anecdotal-evidence-by-wendy-cope
If you haven't got access to the resource sheet, it is available here: http://solacepod.com/2020/03/30/solace-resource-sheet
The music is 'Dream 1 (before the wind blows it all away)' by Max Richter.