Sycamore Cove Spiritual Resources

02/07/2024

I'm delighted to introduce my newest book, Knitting Through Time, Book 3 in The Prayer Shawl Chronicles.

Interested in early Christian history? Desert Mothers and Fathers? The Beguines? So am I! I’m delighted to introduce my new book, Knitting Through Time.

29/06/2024

Interested in early church history? My new book features a Desert Mother and the Beguines! Just published: https://amzn.to/3VMQnXd

Knitting Through Time: Stories of How We Learned to Knit (The Prayer Shawl Chronicles)

24/06/2024

Have you read the first 2 books in the Prayer Shawl Chronicles? Interested in spirituality in quiet, meditative crafting? Book 3 includes early church history, too!

22/04/2024

Happy Earth Day! If more of us took a walk in nature each day, the world would be a better place.

10/04/2024

Celebrate Springtime! Today only (4/10), the Kindle edition of The Prayer Shawls Chronicles is on sale for only $2.99 at https://amzn.to/3xF9EBx

Sycamore Cove provides resources for spiritual and Christian formation, including blog posts, book re

03/04/2024

Do you crave solitude? It's okay. You're not weird, and it's good for you. Science!

Are you someone who cherishes moments of solitude? Do you often find yourself seeking alone time, only to feel like it’s a strange or unusual need? You’re not weird at all.

20/03/2024

What would you like to see grow in the of your life story? An meditation for reflection.

What would you like to see grow in the “garden” of your life? An Early Springtime meditation for reflection.

15/03/2024

Looking for ways to improve your health and inner peace - as well as that of your kids? Opportunities are closer than you think. Go outside!

“Forest bathing” is simply going out into the forest or other wild or semi-wild places and communing with nature. It’s for everyone – kids, the elderly, disabled folks, and …

12/02/2024

A Lenten Rose meditation for http://sycamorecove.org/2024/02/12/a-lenten-rose-parable/

12/02/2024

A Lenten Rose devotional for . http://sycamorecove.org/2024/02/12/a-lenten-rose-parable/

One Lenten rose, with purple blooms, has flourished despite the many challenges of a tough world. So have I. Nothing beautiful or sustainable happens overnight.

12/02/2024

Nothing beautiful or sustainable happens overnight - a Lenten meditation based on Lectio Natura.

One Lenten rose, with purple blooms, has flourished despite the many challenges of a tough world. So have I. Nothing beautiful or sustainable happens overnight.

05/02/2024

An unexpected sabbatical resulted in my most productive writing days ever. Maybe we need to let a "Time Away" find us once in awhile?

I hadn’t planned on taking a sabbatical last month. But I sure got one. Sometimes spiritual retreats find us, I suppose

05/02/2024

It's almost Lent! Looking for spiritual reading? "Considering Birds & Lilies" is on sale this week only in e-book edition for 99 cents. https://amzn.to/3Ut3f5Q

24/01/2024

Do you have a Prayer Shawl Ministry? Want to freshen up an existing ministry? Here's how.

In the hustle of everyday pastoral care, sometimes a tangible symbol of comfort can make all the difference. For congregations blessed with skilled knitters and crocheters, the formation of a praye…

12/12/2023

I’m pleased to introduce my new book, “A Prayer Shawl Handbook!”

Over the last decade or so of making and giving prayer shawls, I’ve given considerable thought to what exactly a prayer shawl is. My new book, “A Prayer Shawl Handbook,” seeks to answer all these q…

06/12/2023

My Advent began with a sunset drive through the Smoky Mountains this year, symbolic of the quiet road through the dark of Advent. http://sycamorecove.org/2023/12/06/advent-means-you-can-take-the-slow-quiet-road-to-christmas/

13/11/2023

What would Jesus eat? Twinkies? Maybe not. http://sycamorecove.org/2023/11/13/holistic-healing-bridging-the-gap-between-ancient-wisdom-and-modern-wellness/

Christian healing isn’t always miraculous. In the twenty-first century, healing in Christianity might take a more mundane, practical approach. Good health requires good nutrition, proper exer…

08/11/2023

Crafting has always been a part of Christian spiritual tradition. New blog post!

The centuries-old tradition of crafting is a pathway to serenity and spiritual connection, from St. Paul’s tent-making to the Desert Mothers’ basket weaving. The tradition continues in …

26/10/2023

Do you have a daily practice for spiritual renewal?

Discover the soul-nourishing practice of crafting a prayer shawl just for yourself, where each stitch becomes a daily ritual of reflection and renewal.

01/03/2022

Need a Lenten Devotional on short notice? There's several terrific devotionals available for quick and affordable download.

http://sycamorecove.org/2022/03/01/lenten-devotions-for-quick-and-easy-but-meaningful-download/

I’ve found myself without a Lenten devotional purchased and ready to go tomorrow. No worries. Just download a terrific set of Lenten Devotionals.

04/04/2020

As our church communities move out into the world, we realize we're all connected, one way or another. https://sycamorecoveknitting.com/2020/04/04/were-all-in-one-big-knitting-guild-now/

We knitters are all in one big knitting guild now. We’re all still there – virtually – to ask “what are you making?” or “what pattern should I use with this yarn?” We’re still there to cheer each o…

18/03/2020

Need at-home faith and creation care lessons for families during this long break? The ebook edition of Earth Our Garden Home: Creation Care Lessons for Children is FREE today through Sunday at this link: https://amzn.to/3b3IsvR Blessings, Cindy

14/03/2020

I found myself giving this advice to a young man in the check-out line of the grocery store yesterday. Here's what I learned about living through crisis after 9/11. https://sycamorecove.org/2020/03/14/life-during-crisis-lessons-learned-after-9-11/

Practice self-care. You know you have things you can do to calm yourself. This is the time to pull out all the stops of self-relaxation and well-being. You will get through this.

06/03/2020

Finding peace in a world of uncertainty is just outside your door. https://sycamorecove.org/2020/03/06/self-care-during-times-of-pandemic-and-uncertainty/

In these times, we all need to pull out our own personal self-care kits. Most of us have one, even if we don’t call it that. Self-care is what we do when we know we face a crisis, anxiety, or even …

28/02/2020

With all that's going on in the world, it's important to take a few minutes for peace and quiet. https://sycamorecove.org/2020/02/28/mindfulness-through-knitting/

Take a deep breath, take a seat, and just knit. As knitters, most of us know the secret to winding down, tuning out, and experiencing a deep sense of calm. It’s mindfulness at its best.

17/02/2020

http://sycamorecove.org/2020/02/17/teach-meditative-meaningful-crafts-to-youth-this-summer/

Why not teach life skills that will equip them to find their own sense of peace and calm in their lives, as well as serve as an outlet for personal expression? Here’s ten reasons to teach tr…

08/08/2019

Take a break from all the stress. Go outside for a few minutes. It's okay. https://sycamorecove.org/2019/08/08/in-times-of-stress-peace-is-just-a-few-steps-outside/

It’s been a hard week here in the United States. Perhaps it’s been a hard week for you personally as well. Give yourself a break. Step outside, without your phone, and take advantage of the peace o…

07/08/2019

It's been a tough week. Be sure to take some quiet time for yourself, preferably outdoors.

03/08/2019

Need a few minutes to sit quietly and do something meditative? Try a Prayer Patch. https://sycamorecoveknitting.com/2019/08/03/show-your-knitting-love-with-a-prayer-patch/

Making a Prayer Patch gives you space and time to be quiet, collect your thoughts, and perhaps remember a loved one in prayer. It’s an easy project, perfect for taking a half hour or so to simply a…

02/08/2019

Spiritually out of sorts? Try knitting (or woodworking, gardening, any handicraft!) https://sycamorecove.org/2019/08/02/spiritual-healing-through-handicrafts/

Handcrafting – whether it’s knitting, woodworking, painting, sewing, or any other crafting you might name – gives us all a space and time to put our worldly cares aside, quiet our minds and b…