wfn.org | Presbyterian Mariners Hear Brad Kent

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99106 
25-June-1999 
 
               Presbyterian Mariners Hear Brad Kent 
 
 
Fort Worth- Mariners gathered on Thursday morning for the purpose sharing a 
time together and hearing the challenging words of the Rev. Brad Kent, 
Associate for Spiritual Formation Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Larry and 
Carolyn Gabbard, executive secretary of the Presbyterian Mariners, gave the 
welcome and the Rev. Marvin Simmers offered the invocation. 
     Kent's sermon, "Playing and Praying, Fasting and Feasting: A Rhythm 
for Family Spirituality," dealt with the spiritual challenge of family life 
around the family table.  Observing that over 60 percent of families do not 
share a common meal, the speaker called for a return to this basic element 
of family life.  He contends that this has caused the loss of  the 
togetherness that prayer at family meals builds.   
     He moved on to speak of the joy incurred during feast days.  He called 
his listeners to remember special days, events, and traditions, associated 
with family life together and the strong opportunity those things provide 
for spiritual development.  He asked that Mariners intentionally work to 
recover the spirit of those events.   
     Fasting as spiritual growth was also introduced by Kent, a concept 
unusual for Presbyterians, but valuable for spiritual development and 
growth. 
     The Mariners responded enthusiastically to the call implicit in Kent's 
message.  The benediction was given by Dennis and Katie Cobb, family 
conference commission. 
 
Emett H. Barfield 

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