Contemplative commuters

Christian Century, Feb 10, 2004

CONTEMPLATIVE COMMUTERS: When Sara Singleton moved to Austin, Texas, to attend seminary, she found herself spending an hour-and-a-half each day commuting. Frustrated by the lack of time for meditation and prayer, she produced Hearts on Pilgrimage, a four-CD audio series to guide worship for folks on the move.

For each day of the work week there is a 15-minute segment including scripture reading (anchored in the Gospel of John, but supplemented by readings from the Old Testament and the epistles), prayers and music. The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is used primarily, along with Eugene Peterson's The Message. The music, which blends the sacred choral tradition with contemporary Christian music, has a contemplative quality. If you're stuck in traffic, Hearts on Pilgrimage might help you keep your blood pressure in check; more important, it will focus your thoughts on something more than getting to work on time. (For more information, see www.heartsonpilgrimage.com.)