Spirituality of Sport Class begins tonight! ~ Reading Joe Ehrmann's book, InsideOut Coaching

Spirituality of Sport

Wednesday Night Class at St. Paul’s Memorial

Fall 2012

Sport has been intertwined with spirituality and religion for millennia.  From the Ancient Greeks who performed the Olympics to honor the gods to Native Americans playing lacrosse to honor the Creator, sport and the life of the spirit have coexisted.  In our current age, we know something of the ups and downs of our emphasis on sport.  In this course we will examine a spirituality of sport and coaching as we consider the ways that sports can be positively transformative.  This course is for coaches, parents, teachers, and anyone interested.  We will read Joe Ehrmann’s book, “Inside Out Coaching.”

From the bookjacket: “Sports have become a secular religion, according to Ehrmann.  Tens of millions of children play sports, and millions of coaches have the potential to influence the lives of these children – and through them to touch their parents’ lives as well.  Children can be diminished and discouraged by their sports experiences, or they can be strengthened, uplifted, even in some cases redeemed.  Sports can be a life-changing experience if coaches understand why they are coaching and redefine their measurement of success.”  Led by Senior Associate Rector, Peter Carey.  Ehrmann’s book is available for $14.95 in hardback.

'A person is a person through other persons.'

We say in our African idiom, 'A person is a person through other persons.' The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms. I need you in order to be me as you need me in order to be you. We are caught up in a delicate network of interconnectedness. I have gifts that you don't, and you have gifts I don't--voila! We are made different so that we may know our need of one another. The completely self-sufficient human being is subhuman. Thus diversity, difference is of the essence of who we are.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, An address at University of Toronto's Convocation Hall, February 16, 2000

Competing against yourself

‎"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before." - Steve Young

We live in anxious times

We live in anxious times.  As we remember 11 years ago the terrible events of 9/11/2011 we most likely feel some of the uncertainty and anxiety of those times.  As we consider the economy, we most likely feel uncertainty, stress, and anxiety.  As we observe the political "process," of this election season (if we can call it a process at all - more like a chaos), we most likely do not find a lot to be positive about.  We live in anxious times.

So, what do we do in anxious times, what do we do individually, what do we do corporately.  I am afraid that far too often, we turn inward and insular in our outlook, and we become more and more individualistic when what is really needed is a broadened vision, and a wider focus on community and cooperation.

This week, in our Sunday Collect - the prayer that we say near the beginning of our Sunday service - names the fact that we are anxious, and that in these anxious moments we should focus not on the "earthly," but rather on the "heavenly."  I believe this Collect is a concise and hopeful reminder of where we should focus our attention.

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Enjoying the new Dave Matthews Band Album ~ Away from the world

I'm enjoying the new Dave Matthews Band Album ~ "Away from the world"

Check it out!


Click HERE to see the album on itunes