'Mother' uses eclectic past for church's innovation

By Devon Lash
STAFF WRITER
03/04/2009

STAMFORD -- With closed eyes, 12 men and women sat in a circle of mismatched high-backed couches and chairs, listening as the soft musical voice of Mother Julia Anne Fritts led them in meditation.

"Now, actually breathe -- something we adults often forget to do," Fritts, the newly ordained priest at St. John's Episcopal Church, said just loud enough over the recorded sounds of Gregorian chants.

She pushed her long, straight, silver hair off her shoulders as she looked around the quiet circle.
Pleased by the attendance, the church opened the Tuesday night meetings, called "Got Peace?" to people outside the parish. the rest