Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Matt Nightingale

Karen Elspeth @terranen.bsky.social · 2d

Such a lovely night tonight!

We always use a lyric video for the song when we can go make it more accessible, but I totally recommend watching the official video for Window which is so powerful

youtu.be/97oZcQr6beI?...

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 2d

And on the opposite Monday nights, we have the original, queer-only version of the group! We'll meet next Monday, November 10, from 6:30-8pm PT. You can register here:

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

Every two weeks, on Monday nights from 6:30-8pm PT, I host an LGBTQ+ contemplative spirituality group on Zoom. It's become one of my very favorite things, a deeply-loved community to many of us. We'd love to have you join us. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations group is a safe and sacred place to explore our spiritual journeys in light of our sexual and gender identities. Participants learn contemplative listening practices...

us02web.zoom.us

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 2d

If you're LGBTQIA+ or an ally, you're welcome to join us anytime! We'll be together again in two weeks, on November 17, from 6:30-8pm PT. You can register here:

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

And since many cis/het folks expressed interest in joining us, we added an "All Skate" (aka allies are welcome) version on the other Mondays. Please feel free to join us! It's been happening for over 2 years now, and it's wonderful too! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Contemplative Spirituality Group. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

The Journey Center and The Quest are partnering to offer a safe and sacred space to explore spiritual journeys together. Participants learn contemplative listening practices and share spiritual journe...

us02web.zoom.us

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 2d

And then for our lectio divina practice, we read a selection from Frederick Buechner's "Now and Then." Thank you to
@terranen.bsky.social for selecting the song and text, creating the graphic, and reading so beautifully for us tonight. 🙏🏼❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 2d

After opening prayers, listening agreements and check ins, we listened together to Jake Wesley Rogers's "Window."

Jake Wesley Rogers - Window || LETRA | LYRICS

YouTube video by rochiiolatingirl

www.youtube.com

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 2d

Tonight's contemplative spirituality group for queer folks & allies was lovely. We had a slightly larger group than usual - 18 people, from all over the US & Canada, including 2 new friends. As always, we were invited to bring our whole selves and experience the Divine together.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 3d

It's an allies night. Join us?

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

And since many cis/het folks expressed interest in joining us, we added an "All Skate" (aka allies are welcome) version on the other Mondays. Please feel free to join us! It's been happening for over 2 years now, and it's wonderful too! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Contemplative Spirituality Group. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

The Journey Center and The Quest are partnering to offer a safe and sacred space to explore spiritual journeys together. Participants learn contemplative listening practices and share spiritual journe...

us02web.zoom.us

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 3d

❤️💔

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 4d

You don’t have to worship where you’re not wanted.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 9d

We also have a version of the group that's open to non-queer allies and meets on the opposite Mondays. We'll be meeting next Monday night, November 3, from 6:30-8pm PT, and you can register here:

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

And since many cis/het folks expressed interest in joining us, we added an "All Skate" (aka allies are welcome) version on the other Mondays. Please feel free to join us! It's been happening for over 2 years now, and it's wonderful too! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Contemplative Spirituality Group. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

The Journey Center and The Quest are partnering to offer a safe and sacred space to explore spiritual journeys together. Participants learn contemplative listening practices and share spiritual journe...

us02web.zoom.us

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 9d

We'd love for you to join us sometime! If you identify as LGBTQIA+, you're welcome in this queer-only version of the group. We meet every two weeks, and we'll be back again on Monday, November 10, from 6:30-8pm PT. Register here:

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

Every two weeks, on Monday nights from 6:30-8pm PT, I host an LGBTQ+ contemplative spirituality group on Zoom. It's become one of my very favorite things, a deeply-loved community to many of us. We'd love to have you join us. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations group is a safe and sacred place to explore our spiritual journeys in light of our sexual and gender identities. Participants learn contemplative listening practices...

us02web.zoom.us

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 9d

And then for our lectio divina practice, we read "The Song of the Bird" by Anthony De Mello. Thank you to @jjr222.bsky.social for choosing the song and the text, and for reading so beautifully for us tonight. 🙏🏼❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The disciples were full of questions about God.
Said the master, "God is the Unknown and the Unknowable. Every statement about him, every answer to your questions, is a distortion of the truth."
The disciples were bewildered. "Then why do you speak about him at all?"
"Why does the bird sing?" said the master.
Not because it has a statement, but because it has a song.
The words of the scholar are to be understood. The words of the scholar are not to be understood. They are to be listened to as one listens to the wind in the trees and the sound of the river and the song of the bird. They will awaken something within the heart that is beyond all knowledge.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 9d

After opening prayers, listening agreements, and check ins, we listened together to @christawellsmusic.bsky.social's "Holy Ground."

CHRISTA WELLS // Holy Ground (Velveteen ep)

YouTube video by Christa Wells Music

www.youtube.com

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 9d

I'm always grateful for my Monday night queer contemplative spirituality groups. We gather each week to experience the Divine together, to listen for God's voice in music, scripture, poetry, and the voices of friends. Tonight, 17 of us gathered, from all over the US & Canada.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 10d

Cheers, Queers! See you tonight?

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

Every two weeks, on Monday nights from 6:30-8pm PT, I host an LGBTQ+ contemplative spirituality group on Zoom. It's become one of my very favorite things, a deeply-loved community to many of us. We'd love to have you join us. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations group is a safe and sacred place to explore our spiritual journeys in light of our sexual and gender identities. Participants learn contemplative listening practices...

us02web.zoom.us

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 10d

Hey y'all! I'm participating in this livestream fundraiser tomorrow to help Jennifer Harris Dault and her family relocate to Europe to protect their trans kid. Tune in from 3:30-4 PT/6:30-7 ET for my conversation with @celestefinally.bsky.social! And check out all the other great guests!

Celeste Irwin 🏳️‍⚧️ @celestefinally.bsky.social · 10d

Alright y'all - this starts in less than 24 hours! When we say "protect trans kids", this is a super practical way to do it - helping a trans kid escape the US will change her life. Plus look at all the amazing people joining! Come hang out and consider helping if you can! Reshares are helpful, too!

3PM: Jennifer Harris Dault with David Dault
4PM: Ben Greene
5PM: Miche van Essen
5:30PM: Rabbi Daniel Bogard
6:30PM: Matt Nightingale
7PM: Jennifer Harris Dault with Celeste Irwin
8PM: Jen Strickland & Jacob Buchholz
8:30PM: Billie Hoard
9:30PM: Jenna DeWitt

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Reposted by Matt Nightingale

Kristen McKnight @kristenmcknight.bsky.social · 11d

Thanks for the reminder, Matt!

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 11d

You don’t have to worship where you’re not wanted.

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Reposted by Matt Nightingale

Jenna DeWitt (she/her) @jennadewitt.bsky.social · 16d

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😭😭🫂

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

After opening prayers, listening agreements, and check ins, we listened together to Marielle Kraft's "The Right People Will Love You."

Marielle Kraft - The Right People Will Love You (at Gnome Studios)

YouTube video by Marielle Kraft

www.youtube.com

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 11d

You don’t have to worship where you’re not wanted.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

And if you are LGBTQ+ yourself, you are welcome at the (original) queer-only version of the group that meets on the opposite Monday nights. Our next gathering is next Monday, October 27, from 6:30-8pm PT. You can register here:

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

Every two weeks, on Monday nights from 6:30-8pm PT, I host an LGBTQ+ contemplative spirituality group on Zoom. It's become one of my very favorite things, a deeply-loved community to many of us. We'd love to have you join us. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations group is a safe and sacred place to explore our spiritual journeys in light of our sexual and gender identities. Participants learn contemplative listening practices...

us02web.zoom.us

1 2

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

If you'd like to join us sometime, we're here every two weeks, and if you are LGBTQIA+ or an ally, you are welcome! Our next gathering is Monday, November 3, from 6:30-8pm PT. You can register here:

Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · Nov 18

And since many cis/het folks expressed interest in joining us, we added an "All Skate" (aka allies are welcome) version on the other Mondays. Please feel free to join us! It's been happening for over 2 years now, and it's wonderful too! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Contemplative Spirituality Group. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

The Journey Center and The Quest are partnering to offer a safe and sacred space to explore spiritual journeys together. Participants learn contemplative listening practices and share spiritual journe...

us02web.zoom.us

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

And then for our lectio divina practice, we read
@notquitehydepark.bsky.social's "Prayer for Werewolves." Thank you to our friend Bryan for choosing the song and the text, and for reading so beautifully for us tonight. 🙏🏼❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Someone will probably love you for who you are.
If not, you'll still find friends, friends who, given time, or given warning,
will probably gather around you, hold your hands, and wrap you in soft coats and blankets till the violence
inside your body ends.
Someone will probably love you for who you are, not just for who you labor to be.
Maybe you're lost in your skin today. Maybe you're burning
and wish you could tear it all off.
Please don't. You are variously
a marvel, an athlete, a wilderness, a source of warmth
and a way to learn from fear.
When you have claws, your claws are yours, your ears bristle and are yours; your irises
are citrine, pure, and yours. They let you see through smog and pine thickets and into the future, where
you need no chains to feel secure,
and someone will probably love you for who you are:
then you will know each other's scents and nuzzle or lope together. But for
now, you have friends,
who are not going anywhere. Please
stay here.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

After opening prayers, listening agreements, and check ins, we listened together to Marielle Kraft's "The Right People Will Love You."

Marielle Kraft - The Right People Will Love You (at Gnome Studios)

YouTube video by Marielle Kraft

www.youtube.com

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

I'm always grateful for my Monday night contemplative spirituality groups for queer folks. Tonight was open to allies, and we had a really sweet time together. 13 of us, from all over the US and Canada, gathered to experience God through music, poetry, and one another.

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Matt Nightingale @mattnightingale.bsky.social · 16d

Actually, Sophie B. shared that one time last year! SO gorgeous! Maybe you missed that one...

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