Work and prayer are not mutually exclusive activities.

That's the basis for "Pockets of Prayer," a new initiative of St. Thomas' to encourage parishioners who work in same neighborhood to gather once a week for brief, midday prayer.

Although the Parish conducts a midday service on Wednesdays, it's nearly impossible for most parishioners to attend. So, rather than having to commute, we're hoping that small groups of parishioners will gather in the neighborhoods where they work.

Drew Boatner, Hardee Mahoney and I have been gathering in Bethesda on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. since the start of the year. We found a conference room in a satellite facility of the Montgomery County government that we can reserve six months at a time. We use the day's readings (which we pull off the Internet) and follow the outline provided in the Book of Common Prayer for noonday services.

All three of us stay busy at work, but find that carving out as little as 15 minutes a week brings enormous rewards. We are reinvigorated and strengthened by sharing the word and each others company.

We're looking for parishioners who are willing to launch a "prayer pocket" in their work neighborhood. We would publish your name in The Phoenix and on our web site and ask you to convene the first gathering. Your group would then decide where and when to meet regularly.

Please contact John Carter 703-892-0034 if you have any questions.

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