The focus of this talk was on some of the ways that the Christian Church has fallen back into cultural norms over the centuries. A moment of enlightenment and social advance is often followed by an “unlearning”, resulting in the institutional side of things becoming more important than the Spirit-infused life of God’s Presence, or the various ways that patriarchy has oppressed women through the ages.
Today, Rick Coates led us into a beautiful time of worship. This was followed by a poem and a prayer read by Jessica Williams, and a TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie titled The Danger of a Single Story. After listening to the talk, we reflected on the themes that stood out to us, noting how much we need to seek out a variety of stories (the more the better!) about others, and about ourselves, too. Then we listened to a song by May Erlewine that helped tie it all together. Unfortunately only the first part of the service was recorded, but you can access all of these things through the links provided.
Jessica Williams talks about the experience of deconstruction in her own life, and reflects on how the reality of this experience has been a little more like the work of careful excavation to recover something precious. She uses this metaphor and others to share a bit about her history of losing the ability to believe certain church doctrines while maintaining a deep love and affection for church communities throughout her life. She sees this process of losing, or letting go of what was, as a gift that can reveal a truer beauty that’s been there all along.
Matte Downey leads a wonderful discussion on unusual metaphors for God. The result is a broadening of the way people feel about God. This was a very rich time.
Peter Fitch shares from his own life and experience about the meaning of the resurrection. He sees it in the courage we receive from God in a thousand daily decisions to care for others and to face our own difficulties head-on. Before the talk, Jessica Williams reads one of her poems and Renate Gritter sings “Were You There?” Peter fills in with some worship songs at the beginning and the end of the service.Â
Walter Thiessen explores the response of the elder brother in the Prodigal Son story, as well as the father’s invitation. If everything is ours, including relationships with the father, why don’t we celebrate? (It was pretty interactive, and so apologies for all the bits you can’t hear on the recording…)
Peter Fitch looks at the value of deconstructing faith. He also talks about the problems that can result. This leads him in search of “the Real” thing that we must not lose. He looks at an Old Testament passage and a New Testament passage for clues, then turns to ideas from the 13th century Sufi mystic, Rumi, as well as C. S. Lewis.
Bradley Jersak spoke today on “reading from the end.” He led us through some of the Book of Revelation as a way to orient our understanding toward “God’s intended result” (something that David Moore spoke about last week). Along the way, Brad included many ideas, all leading toward an understanding that Jesus is gradually causing all things to come together in a way that will bring about the healing of the world and the people in it.
Today’s speaker was David Moore…..
Prayer is focus. If you choose to use words in prayer, words can often support your focus. But sometimes the focus means saying or doing absolutely nothing. We may need to just let it be.
“When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the reality God intends and let it be.”
Walter Thiessen recalls how important it is for us to find meaningful, familiar and emotionally rich things to hold onto even as we need to keep using our heads about “letting go” of the systemic problems that get in the way of institutions and traditions being compassionate and just. He ended with a loose paraphrase of the “armour of God” that you can download.