“When Prayer is Hard, We Can Pray in Color:

A Conversation and Workshop about Praying in Color

with the Poetry of Mary Oliver”

October 17, Thursday | 7PM | In Person

Presenter: Rev. Dr. Nick Bufano

“I wouldn’t persuade you from whatever you believe or whatever you don’t. That’s your business, But I thought, of the wren’s singing, what could this be if it isn’t prayer. So I just listened, my pen in the air.”---Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver was a prolific writer of poetry that reflected her prayer life, and therefore ours. Her poems have touched countless lives around the world and can often be used when we can’t come up with words of our own.

Praying in Color is simply doodling with color as a way of helping to focus our wandering minds during prayer or meditation, and when our own words are lacking. It’s a simple and creative way to pray, meditate, or reflect. No previous experience or artistic skills are required! Art supplies will be provided!

Nick will guide us through a conversation about things that sometimes block our expressions of prayer, and then use some materials from the Praying in Color books by Sybil Macbeth to guide us through a few creative exercises to help us pray more creatively and open our hearts to the movement of the Spirit as we read some of Mary Oliver’s poetry!

Suggested fee: $25

In addition to being on staff as a Spiritual Director at the Spiritual Renewal Center, Nick is the pastor of Newtonville UMC, and an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. Nick is a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster PA where he received his Doctor of Ministry in 2019 and his Master of Divinity in 2013. Nick is passionate about preaching and teaching, as well as discovering new ways to reach out to the world that needs the church now more than ever, and finding ways for people to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.