Reverend Merlene Barner
7405 Lookout Road
Niwot, Colorado 80503
(303) 530-0241 office@niwotumc.org
Spiritual Beads
The string below was made by Jennifer Hayes as a gift for one of her nieces. Each indigo bead is dark blue sunstone and represents a family member. The end charm is a turtle, which symbolizes courage and connection to the earth. Jennifer gave the string to her niece before she left for Saudi Arabia as a way to remember her family and be with them in spirit.
Jennifer
calls this prayer string "The Children of Abraham"--starting
from the left with the Star of David, she uses blue and white beads to
represent Israel; followed by the Cross of the Christian faith and
red/white and blue beads, which are the colors of the Christian flag;
followed by the Crescent Moon, which is the symbol of Islam, and the
green and red beads, which are the symbolic colors of Islam. The
final charm fuses the Star of David, the Cross, and the Crescent Moon--the
three world religions whose roots are traced to Abraham. Notice
how the blue beads flow through Judaism and Christianity, followed by the
red beads that flow from Christianity through Islam.
In this way, these beads show how these three faiths are united by
their belief in one God.
The lovely strand below is based around a wild goose--the pretty rose agate charm on the left. The wild goose is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Iona, Scotland, the island where Christianity first came to Britain. The monks had been driven out of Ireland by the Vikings and were hoping to practice their faith on this small, windswept speck of land. The geese were the largest creatures they saw winging their way over the sea. The crystals in the chain represent the sea that can gently rock our lives or moves energetically in a storm; the blue lace agates are for the sky and represent hope; and the small pink fresh-water pearls are for the Spirit weaving itself through our lives.
This prayer strand was made by Janet Smith at the workshop led by Jennifer Hayes. It provides the Healing Stones for Women, separated by pale yellow and blue pearl beads.
Starting at the left...
Botswana Agate - this green, striated bead represents my family and heritage. My maiden name is Green, and I have many siblings who all have families themselves, so I pray for my parents and brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews when I touch this stone.
Amber - this gorgeous yellow luminous stone represents my dear husband and our marriage, which fills me with light and love.
Amethyst - My amethyst stone has many facets and I pray for my children when I touch this stone.
Botswana Agate - The circles in this orange stone represent the complexity and mystery of life for me. I pray for wisdom and insight with this stone.
Carnelian - This deep red stone represents my community--Niwot, Boulder/Longmont, Colorado, my country, my world--and I pray for peace within that community and thankfulness for the wonderful people who know and love and support me.
Garnet - Garnet regenerates the body and I pray for energy and strength and creativity to do good work in the world. The bright red bead is shot with white and black--it's smooth in places and rough in other places--a study in contrasts.
Jade - The Tranquility Stone--a symbol of serenity. I love the cool smoothness of this lovely pale green stone.
Jasper - Jasper imparts determination to all pursuits. It brings the courage to come to grips with problems assertively and encourages self-honesty. I think of this stone as representing my future--all those things I hope to become or accomplish.
Rose Quartz - The stone of unconditional love and infinite peace--this is my Lord's Prayer stone in my chain.
Smoky Quartz - This protective stone has a strong link with the earth--this is the stone that reminds to thank the Lord for sunsets and mountains, flowers, stars, and all the beauty of the Earth.
Coral - A Woman's Stone--it quiets the emotions and dispels feelings of despair and despondency.