Hello, I’m Margaret D. McGee, the owner of this
site. I write much of the material that appears here in the courtyard,
joined by liturgists, poets, and preachers whose work I admire and
enjoy sharing with you. To find out more about me and my work, visit
my author’s web site
www.margaretdmcgee.com.
Here In the Courtyard, you'll find prayers,
meditations, and other writings that spring from my relationship
with the Episcopal church. These are organized by the seasons of
the church (Advent,
Christmas,
Epiphany,
Lent,
Holy Week,
Easter, and the
Green Season). I add new writings
regularly.
Some of the pieces, such as litanies for holy days and special services,
are composed out of love for these ancient forms of liturgy and
the pleasure of bringing them to new life in contemporary language.
The inspiration for such a piece might be simple confusion. A phrase
or sentence spoken at church makes me think, “Huh? What’s that trying
to say?”
Language is a living thing, and the meaning of words evolves over
time. Old meanings never completely go away. Instead, new meanings
and connotations build up over that original little piece of grit
like layers of pearl.
After a few centuries, familiar words of liturgy can take on a hard
luster that obscures the sense they were originally meant to convey.
I like returning to the grit of real life, using today’s words that
shoot to the heart of the matter.
Beautiful, time-honored forms that carry a lively message in everyday,
modern language. I hope you find that tug-and-pull as inspiring
as I do.
Besides new liturgy, the Courtyard is also a place for the stuff
that gives energy, purpose, and meaning to liturgy:
engagement with sacred texts (see
Lectio+Haiku)
and
responsible relationship to material goods (see
Stewardship).
The Courtyard’s front page banner shows an
image of teamwork – a moment in the making of my home parish’s
courtyard labyrinth – that melds into the image of a
quiet walk on the completed courtyard. The banner’s black and
white photograph was taken by Keith Fleming and appears courtesy
of St.
Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington. The
color photograph was taken by Sigrid Cummings.
I love the juxtaposition of the two images, in part for the
technical detail revealed about how the labyrinth was made, and
in part for the picture of teamwork and other gifts coming
together to make something for the common good. That is a spirit
that I hope to keep alive here In the Courtyard.
The Courtyard’s webmaster, David Schroeder, created the banners
and the overall design of the site. I’m grateful for all David
does to make the Courtyard a place of beauty and accessibility.
My deepest bow of thanks to all who have sent kind words of
support, to all who generously contribute to these pages, and to
every reader throughout the Courtyard’s years of life.
Calendar & Archives
for "In the Courtyard," which includes all "Margaret's Bench" and
"Lectio+Haiku" entries made through the end of 2010.
To search "Margaret's
Bench" or "Lectio+Haiku"
posts made since January of 2011, please see the Archive and Search
options available on those blog pages.
Contact
Us
I’d like to hear from
you about anything you find In the Courtyard. You can email
me at
. It might take me a few days to respond, but I do read all
my email.
To receive monthly updates from "In the Courtyard," email us at
. We will not share your e-mail address with anyone else.
To be removed from our monthly "In the Courtyard" updates, send
e-mail to:
To be added or removed
from the WordPress notifications for "Margaret's
Bench" or "Lectio+Haiku,"
please see the options on those blog pages.
A courtyard is a place where paths cross.
A courtyard changes with the seasons.
The idea of a courtyard is very old.
Thousand-year-old courtyards are still in
use today.
A courtyard exists in the present world.
In the courtyard, people wear everyday clothes
and speak in their own words, using common language.
About the Courtyard
careful attention to everyday life (see
