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News From The Claggett Center Claggett Groundbreaking- Can you Dig It? |
| June-July 2004 |
PARISH NEWS
In Memoriam
Ronald Allan Waggener July 29, 1941 – March 30, 2004
By EVELYN RIESETT AND JANET BENDANN
The Church of St. Paul the Apostle,Washington Village, is grateful to the Baltimore SUN and to Dan Rodricks for his story on Sunday,April 18, 2004, about our dear friend, Ron Waggener, who died in the Shock Trauma Unit of the University of Maryland Hospital on March 30. We want to share our own remembrance of Ron with readers of the Maryland Church News.
On Friday,April 2, 2004, a brief notice in the Baltimore Sun reported the murder of a 62-year-old man who was shot in the head by a gunman at 11:30 p.m.,March 25, on a sidewalk in Washington Village. And that was that…. But to the congregation of The Church of St. Paul the Apostle on Washington Boulevard that was not the complete story. Ron Waggener was our friend, colleague, and helper. This seemingly shy and unassuming man was a musicologist, deeply knowledgeable in his love of the classics, a Viet Nam vet, a world traveler, an imaginative chef, an Orioles and Ravens enthusiast, an explorer of philosophies, an aspiring dramatist, an avid gardener, all-around handyman, and a man blessed with a gentle, playful, joyous spirit.
A little more than a year ago, Ron discovered that his friend,Arthur Eagle, had become organist and choirmaster at St. Paul the Apostle. And in the year that passed, as Ron and Arthur renewed their friendship and the circle of friends grew, Ron became a much loved and appreciated member of the Church community. Thin but strong, he helped the Garden Committee re-build our courtyard garden last year, and shared everyone’s pleasure when Bishop Ihloff dedicated our Memorial Garden during his visit to St. Paul the Apostle last September. Ron spent long hours and days clearing out overgrown shrubs, pruning trees, turning and feeding the soil, building a stone patio for outdoor worship, planting flowers from his own garden – and all the while singing bits of his favorite operatic arias.
Ron took delight in feeding people. Along with a group of friends, he took charge of the church kitchen on Thanksgiving Day last November to prepare a holiday meal for themselves and some neighbors in need, providing an evening of good food, music, and fun for others. That successful event led to plans for a once-a-month FEAST – Feeding And Sharing Time at St. Paul the Apostle – with Ron as the chief cook. He launched our FEAST program on the third Tuesday in February with a spaghetti extravaganza, and followed it in March, just before Saint Patrick’s Day, with a fine all-Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage.
Ron somehow earned the name,“Mr.Wiggles,” from one of the children who comes to the church’s tutoring program two afternoons a week. Ron was one of the few from the church who was able to volunteer, and he spent many hours mentoring youngsters of all ages from the local schools. His enjoyment of the children led him to help revive the tradition of a Children’s Christmas Pageant on the stage of our Guild Hall. For weeks in advance of the pageant, Ron’s greatest fun was finding and reusing cast-offs for scenery and props and inventing costumes from odds and ends. This kind of creativity was for him the excitement and the real reward as he worked with his friend, Kimberley Sheridan, and the program director, Helen Keith, to prepare the children for their production. Ron’s enthusiasm led from one idea to another and he believed that all was possible. He never let himself feel discouraged, and if anyone was ever doubtful, he would always say, “It will be done.” Ron’s interest in our church was unexpected and most welcome. He was gifted with a quick wit, a love of language as well as music, a quirky sense of humor, a kind and sympathetic heart, and enormous hope for the future. He filled his own unique spot here at St. Paul the Apostle and was held with warm and grateful affection by all. His friendship was a blessing. We are thankful to have known him. And we will all miss him.
St. John’s Parish Day School Wins National Gardening Grant
By LISA MILES
St. John’s Parish Day School in Ellicott City was selected from more than 500 kids’ gardening programs nationwide to receive a 2004 Youth Garden Grant from the National Gardening Association.
“We are excited that we have been chosen to receive this grant,” said Anna Puma, St. John’s Parish Day School Head of School. “We are dedicated to teaching our students to give back to the community and the environment, and this is a project that will show them the value of both.”
The award-winning gardening program will receive an assortment of garden products donated by leading companies in the lawn and garden industry who recognize that today’s youth are the future of American gardening.
“National Gardening Association is proud to support this terrific kids’ garden,” said Joan White, Education Program Director of the National Gardening Association. “This program was selected because of a demonstrated commitment to actively and creatively engaging youth in the gardening process and improving the community. In addition, we were able to see from their application that the garden program will be sustained for years to come.”
This grant will be combined with a grant that the school received earlier this year from the Patuxent Research Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Students in the kindergarten, first and second grade classes will learn hands-on gardening by planning and planting a meadow and garden on the school campus.
St. John’s Parish Day School has educated children for more than 30 years in its preschool and kindergarten programs. The school now offers the same nurturing environment to children in elementary school in grades kindergarten through third grade.
For information about the school, please call 410-465-7644.
“We are dedicated to teaching our students to give back to the community and the environment, and this is a project that will show them the value of both.”
Blessing the City of Baltimore
By BARBARA LOGAN
On a rainy Palm Sunday, the Rev. Allen F. Robinson and many of the parishioners of St. James’ at Lafayette Square held a Blessing of the City service and distributed palms in front of the entrance to Baltimore City Hall on Holliday Street. The service opened with the singing of ‘We’re Marching to Zion’ led by the Expressions of Faith Gospel Choir. Rev. Robinson offered up the Occasion Prayer, which was followed by prayers for families, the homeless, the hungry, for the needy and for the City as a whole. These prayers were written and delivered by the youth of St. James’.
Wanda Watts represented The Honorable Sheila Dixon, President of the City Council, in extending greetings and offered up a prayer of appreciation to St. James’ for the occasion. Following musical selections from the Expressions of Faith Gospel Choir, the Rev. Robinson anointed the entrance of and the grounds surrounding the entrance of City Hall. The service closed with the singing of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and a dismissal blessing by the Rev. Robinson.
The Extra Mile Walk and Talk Finds its Stride and Raises Funds and Awareness for ECSM
By SUSAN GOSSLINGWALTERS
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The folks at Episcopal Community Services of Maryland came up with a “cow-rageous” event to increase awareness of the important work they do in Baltimore. Called the Extra Mile Walk and Talk, this doubleheader event invited people to participate in a grassroots walk through the east Baltimore community of Collington Square and then to attend a talk by Dr. Ben Carson on the topic of “Faith and Community.” |
Every cow says moo, stands for ECSM, the new initials of Episcopal Community Services of Maryland, the organization sponsoring the Extra Mile Walk and Talk.
Right next to the Welcome sign at Triumph Christian Church was another sign which read: Free Food and Clothes. “You all are lucky,” Pastor Swann told the visiting walkers, “you’re here on the Saturday of the month when we hold our give-away-sale. This is one of the church’s missions in Collington Square. If anyone needs a stove, refrigerator or a dryer, come see me after the walk.” By the end of the walk, those items had been happily claimed by members of the community.
Minutes before this stop, the seventh along the mile route, the walkers were welcomed at the Bible Way Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Nathaniel Womack who told the assembly the history of his church. Standing before the brick church and parish hall, Wolmack explained that this building was the result of the hard work of his church members who, after years of meeting in a store front across the street, were able to build this facility. The Parish Hall is an often used space where the members of the church enjoy Christian education and fellowship. After Wolmack’s talk, Bible Way’s youth choir performed for the enthusiastic visitors.
Then it was on to the next stop. The route passed down Mura Street, formerly known as “Death Alley.” Today, Mura Street is the hub of promise in Collington Square. This is the location of an ECSM run recovery program in a renovated row house, and of Collington Square Non-Profit Corporation’s Mattie B. Uzzel Community Center where families are fed and sheltered. At the eastern corner of Mura Street sits a community garden next to a colorful wall mural. Here, the Episcopal Housing Corporation, the organization that made the garden possible, is actively renovating buildings in the neighborhood. They gave a presentation on the recent accomplishments. Included in their list of successes is the nearby Dayspring House, a shelter for recovering mothers and their children.
“This walk is really about celebration.We’re going to walk past every building and every program that is either the cause of, or the result of a lot of hard work and vision by members of this community,” said Jean Cushman, newly appointed executive director of Episcopal Community Services of Maryland (ECSM), the group sponsoring the Extra Mile Walk.
At the end of the route,walkers gathered in Collington Square Park where they met Mac, a Guernsey cow from Harford County who served as the event’s mascot. In addition to the valuable exposure, the purpose of the Extra Mile Walk was to raise “mooolah” for the worthy programs of ECSM and those participating churches and neighborhood organizations. Each parish-sponsored group competed to raise the most “moolah” for the event. Of the eighteen participating parishes — All Saints, Reisterstown; Cathedral of the Incarnation; Church of the Good Shepherd; Church of the Holy Comforter, Lutherville; Church of the Messiah; Church of the Redeemer; Immanuel Glencoe; St. Bartholomew’s 10 Hills; St. David’s; St. George’s, Manchester; St. James,Monkton; St. John’s, Ellicott City; St.Katherine’s of Alexandria; St.Thomas, Homestead; St. Thomas; Owings Mills; and Trinity Towson – St. James, Monkton raised the most: $4,010! For their efforts they were recognized with a life-sized fiberglass cow, which was presented on the following Wednesday evening at the Extra Mile Talk. The cow will reside in Monkton as a sign of the successful outreach in Collington Square and a reminder of the importance of going the extra mile to reach out.
The Talk was attended by many ECSM program supporters, by parishioners who walked in Collington Square and by many young people who were invited to hear Dr. Ben Carson, world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon speak about Faith and Community. Dr. Carson was invited as the first speaker in this first Extra Mile Walk and Talk event because he carries with him his message of hope for and faith in the human spirit, and the remarkable ability of the human brain.To all who say that circumstances in their lives have made personal success impossible, Dr.Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, is living proof that perseverance, prayer, and self-respect, combined with a devotion to acquiring knowledge, can overcome any obstacles in one’s way. Dr. Carson is the founder of the Benevolent Endowment Network Fund also known as the BEN Fund that he started to help families pay for the enormous cost of brain surgery, costs that are not covered by traditional health insurance. The Extra Mile Talk was held at the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore. ECSM raised over $45,000 that will go towards The Ark, Adoption/Search/Reunion, Re-Entry, GIFTS and The Club. ECSM will also contribute to the BEN Fund, and to seven community organizations and churches in Collington Square.
For more information, contact Linda Safran, ECSM Director of Development at 410.467.1264 or Lsafran@ecsm.ang-md.org.
Classifieds
– Office Administrator (Part-time)Immanuel Church, Glencoe seeks part-time office administrator.Twenty hours per week, flexible schedule. Candidate should be familiar with Microsoft Office,Windows XP and have some desktop publishing. Responsibilities include: producing bulletins, newsletters, schedules and maintaining membership records. Familiarity with Episcopal life and worship preferred. |
Parish Administrator
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Youths to Minister at OrphanageBy DEACON NANCYWHITE Last year, a small group of youth and adults from St. James’ Lothian braved heat, sweat, dirt and primitive conditions to paint, work with concrete, play with young orphans and talk with their teachers.They went to El Hogar de Amory Esperanza (the home of hope and Love) program, which is part of El Hogar Ministries, sponsored by the Diocese of Honduras. Boys from ages four to 14 go to El Hogar. Most are orphans. They live there and go to school there. After age 14 they go on to a technical vocational high school or out to the town of Telanga for an agricultural education.They are being trained to be future leaders in their field. This year, July 1-8, St. James’ mission has an educational focus. Educational materials and supplies were shipped earlier this year and more will be taken.The group will be working directly with the teachers and the boys in the school; doing teacher and service training and teaching the boys English and other activities as requested by the schoolteachers and staff. This will be done under the direction of the director, Senora Claudia Castro. About ten individuals will live and eat with the boys and staff and attend worship with them at La Iglesia Santa Maria in Tegucigalpa, the capitol city of Honduras. St. James’ hopes to sponsor a student and to continue this educational mission into the future. The Rev. Nancy A.White, a deacon, serves at St. James’ Parish, Lothian. |
Deacon Nancy A.White wears a crown of stars and the Dalmatic given to her for her work as youth minister of St. James’ Parish, Lothian. She was given the Dalmatic – once worn by Roman senators and is now a symbol of joy for deacons – by the clergy, and gifts from the youth groups. She also received a purse donation that she immediately donated to the orphanage boys at El Hogar in Honduras. “You showed us how to serve God while having fun,” Deacon White was told by senior youth group leader Linda Stewart.“You are our guardian angel.” — Val Hymes Photo |
Urban Churches and Children’s Ministries Work Together to Sponsor City Kids at Kuumba (Creativity) Kamp during Spring BreakBy THE REV. STEWART LUCAS The children’s participation was made possible by a group of urban ministries for school age children. Participating ministries were: Memorial Episcopal Church, St. James Irvington Church and All God’s Children, Payne Memorial Church, the Samaritan Community, Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School, and Kids on the Hill. Each group identified children and provided support in getting registrations completed and organizing transportation. Memorial provided financial scholarships and a cadre of volunteers who drove kids to and from the camp and prepared bag lunches for the fourteen children each day. Memorial Church has worked with a number of children’s ministries - All God’s Children Camp at the Bishop Claggett Center, assisting in the classroom and programs at Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School, and working with families and children through the Samaritan Community.Memorial hopes to grow these ministries into a more focused effort to build coalitions among urban children’s ministries and to make regular connections with children in these programs throughout the year. Sponsoring the Kuumba Kamp was an initial first step in that effort. | [Return to Top of Page]
St. James Academy collects for Ark Students at St. James Academy surround tank of pennies collected for Ark Sixty youth participated in Discovery weekend at St. John’s, Ellicott City The camp at Sankofa’s theater The students of St. James Academy in Monkton were given a challenge. In celebration of 100 days of school, they were each challenged to collect 100 pennies to help support the Ark program.The pennies were placed in an aquarium located at the entrance of the school.When all the pennies had been collected, over $300 had been raised. In addition to the pennies, the pre-first and first grade students also donated over 700 items of paper products and individually wrapped snacks and beverages. The Ark is a program of Episcopal Community Services of Maryland. It is a special, short-term, emergency daycare program that serves children ages three through five whose families are homeless or in the early stages of recovery from addiction. The Ark works in collaboration with the Baltimore City Childcare Resource Center (BCCCRC) to provide quality Head Start services to the enrolled children and their families. The Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with children present from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. There is no fee for the service, although childcare vouchers are accepted. Typically, children are enrolled for up to 120 days while staff work with parents to locate and enroll their children in permanent childcare/ Head Start programs. The program uses the Creative Curriculum to support the children’s development and nurture their growth. Through self-directed, teacher directed small groups and individual activities, children play and learn during the day. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are served and the children also have a naptime. Each child’s development is screened soon after enrollment and monitored throughout the child’s stay so that programming can be individualized to meet each child’s needs. |
During the Baltimore City Schools’ spring break, fourteen children aged five to fourteen attended a four-day camp at Sankofa African Dance Theater. Kids participated in African drum and dance classes, story telling and writing, arts and crafts, science fun, games, and outdoor activities.They also received one-on-one TLC. The camp was located at Sankofa’s theater on Druid Park Drive in Baltimore City.
St. John’s becomes first Episcopal parish to launch Discovery Weekend
“I used to see God as a man in the sky and now I think of him as a spirit that surrounds me.” In late February 2004, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City took a leap of faith and held its first Discovery Weekend with sixty youth participating. Discovery is a dynamic weekend of spiritual formation for all youth to experience God’s love and claim their parish as holy ground. Discovery is similar yet different to other three-day movements including Happening and Cursillo. The middle school youth (6th-8th grade) are the participants in the weekend and the senior high youth are the leaders along with adults. The youth and adults experience God’s love, the joy and forgiveness of Christ, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit through this event. In August of 2003, Alison Bocking joined the staff at St. John’s as Director of Youth Ministries. Her philosophy of youth ministry is a relational, team-based approach, involving youth, parents, adult youth workers and the staff of the church. In her previous church assignments, she had held Discovery several times and knew the spiritual power of the weekend. It was through her initiative and gentle nudging that St. John’s took the leap and became the first Episcopal parish ever to launch the three-day weekend!
Discovery Ministries, Inc. has created three weekends for the local parish.The three-year themes are: Discover Gods’ Love through the Church, Discover God’s Love through the Scripture and Discover the Gifts of God: Prayer, Baptism and Communion.
The senior highs are trained to be the leaders along with adults.They are trained to lead the mid-highs to a deeper relationship with Christ.They are trained to mentor the mid-highs, share their faith, lead disciple groups, singing and worship.The senior high of St. John’s earned the right to be called leaders.They stepped up to the plate and made the weekend special for the younger kids.When the mid-highs were shy or reluctant to jump in, whether in a dance, a game, or a discussion, the older kids warmed up the arena for them, making it a safe space to enter.
The whole parish participated in the weekend through serving on the team, praying, providing snacks and gifts. St. John’s had more than 125 adult volunteers and parishioners who came together to share their presence and love with our youth. It was incredible! From every corner of our parish: retirees, vestry members, clergy, parents of toddlers, Bible study groups, men’s group and of course, our youth parents. Every adult who witnessed Discovery was deeply moved by the experience. Mostly, our youth felt the arms of their parish being wrapped around them as they journeyed together.
For more information on Discovery Ministries, Inc., please contact the Rev.Melody Christolear at 205.657.0593 or via email at info@discoveryministries.org. You may also visit their website at www.discoveryministries.org.
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Trinity Surprise Shop celebrates 40th AnniversaryBy LAWSONWALSH
The Surprise Shop of Trinity Episcopal Church on Allegheny Avenue in Towson celebrated its 40th anniversary in early April with an open house serving cake and coffee.Tours of the shop were given to visitors not familiar with the facility. Formerly the rectory, the Surprise Shop offers gently- used clothing for men, women and children, and toys and household items.The shop, staffed by Trinity volunteers, is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It serves bargain-minded shoppers as well as needy clients of community, religious and service organizations in Baltimore County and beyond. Opened in 1964 on Fairmount Avenue in Towson as a ministry of the women of Trinity Church, the shop moved to its present location in 1971. For more information, call 410.828.9343. DATEBOOKJune5 June Fair 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Church of the Nativity 419 Cedarcroft Road, Baltimore (corner of York Road and Cedarcroft) Food, plants and treasures to be found. Children’s activities and community fun. Come see and enjoy! For more information, call 410.377.9270. 6 Trinity Sunday Choral Evensong 4:00 p.m. St. John’s Church in Historic Waverly 3009 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore Thomas Tomkins: Preces and Responses, Herbert Howells: Evening Service (Holy Trinity, Chichester), Sir John Stainer: I saw the Lord. For more information, call 410.467.4793. 12 Book Reading/Signing of “Cassandra Lost” written by Joanna Catherine Scott The Book Club of Sherwood Parish Cockeysville 15 Diocesan Committee on the Environment (Justice and Peace Ministries) 7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Holy Comforter 130 West Seminary Avenue, Lutherville For information, contact Paulette Hammond at 410.747.3811 or email phamm001@earthlink.net. 17-19 Annual Book Sale 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All Saints’ Frederick Books of all kinds at bargain prices will be available. If you wish to donate books, please call Sara Gibson at 301.845.2975. 22 Prayers for Peace 7:30 p.m. Church of the Redemption 1401 Towson Street, Locust Point For more information, email the Rev. Charles Cloughen at frcharles@comcast.net. July10 Second Annual Dinner 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 25 Church Street, Prince Frederick Crab cakes, ham or fried chicken (choice of two). $16/person; $7/children under 12; free/children 3 and under. For more information, call the Church Office at 410.535.2897. Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Bishop Claggett Center September 19th 2 - 5 pm All are Welcome!
Leadership Program for MusiciansOn September 18, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) will begin its first year of courses in Liturgy and Music, Leadership of Congregational Song, Resources for Effective Music Ministry, and Philosophy of Church Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ellicott City and First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ellicott City. Held monthly on the third Saturday, this two-year program offers, upon completion, the Presiding Bishop’s Certificate in Church Music. For information and registration, call Rosemary Beakes at 410.997.0474 or Ken Brown at 410.792.2252.
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Journeys Community – A Spiritual Design with a changing formatBy JEN GROW
As a bridge between our spiritual lives and the contemporary world around us, the format of services at Journeys Community are determined by the artistic and spiritual content used to support the theme. There is not a prescribed pattern and order to the services; however, every service is carefully organized to maximize the emotional depth of the theme and to heighten the connection with God. Some services are centered around songs to move the service forward, while some are more symbolic in the spiritual convergence and meal. Others are based on the prayers and meditations of saints and allow for deep silence throughout the service. Still others call upon active participation from community members to engage the theme. Though the format changes from week to week, the following outline for a Journeys Community service on Forgiveness provides a detailed example of the interactive nature of our spiritual journey toward God. I.The SeatingAs community members arrive for the service, thoughts about Forgiveness are projected onto a screen at the front of the room.The quotes come from many sources and traditions. For example, “Forgive, son; men are men; their needs must err.” ~ Euripides “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we would find in each person’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The quotes introduce the theme and offer a meditative atmosphere for community members as they enter the service. II. Live MusicThe musicians perform a rendition of the Prayer of St. Francis as composed by Sarah McLaughan. It is a meditative tune that expresses the humility of the prayer. “O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned… .” This song introduces the theme and expresses the essential idea that in forgiving others we receive forgiveness in return.The lyrics are projected onto the screen. III.A WelcomeThe spiritual leader welcomes community members to Journeys Community and introduces the theme that’s already been set in motion with the quotes and music. IV.A ReadingA member of the community reads a selected passage from the daily reader,“One Day At A Time In Al-Anon.” Part of the reading reminds us, “We are asked to forgive those who have injured us. Unless we have first judged and condemned them for what they did, there would be no reason for us to forgive them. Rather we would have to forgive ourselves for judging.The Scripture says: ‘Judge not that ye be not judged.’ If we do judge—no matter how great the injury or how premeditated—we are at fault … we see that we can forgive only ourselves. In doing so, we also forgive the person whose action we have resented.” The reading echoes the Prayer of St. Francis and leads directly into the video clip that addresses this spiritual principle. V. A VideoA clip from the movie,“Dead Man Walking” is shown. The scene depicts a conversation between Sister Helen Prejean, played by Susan Sarandon, and the parents of a teenage girl who was killed. In the movie, Sister Helen has decided to become the spiritual advisor of the killer and she is confronted by the girl’s parents who have no sympathy or forgiveness for the “monster” who murdered their daughter. This video is dramatic and stirring, illustrating the difficulty of forgiveness. It moves us into an emotional center in which we examine our own beliefs and limitations. VI. Live MusicThe musicians perform the song,“One” by U2. In part, the lyrics read, “It’s one love, we get to share it It leaves you baby, if you don’t care for it… We’re one, but we’re not the same We get to carry each other… .” The lyrics are projected onto the screen.The song acts as a brief catharsis between the extreme emotions in the video clip and the reflection. VII.The Spiritual ReflectionThe following discussion points are incorporated into the spiritual reflection along with personal experience and stories to make the theme more accessible and engaging. Is there a difference between large forgiveness as depicted in the video and in such atrocities as the Holocaust versus forgiveness on a smaller, everyday scale? How does forgiveness enter into our lives on a daily basis? Why is it hardest to forgive the people closest to us? Are there currently people in our lives whom we need to forgive? How can we forgive ourselves? How does the grace of God enter into our forgiveness? VIII.A MeditationA silent meditation follows the spiritual reflection for a period of five to eight minutes. The silence allows time for self-reflection and creates space for us to open our hearts to God and to others. A calming image is projected onto the screen during the meditation. IX.A RecordingAfter the meditation, the community comes back together in consciousness to listen to a recording of “Suffering Into Grace,” by Wayne Muller. A short segment of the recording tells the story of Cambodian refugees who were forced from their homes by Pol Pot.The refugees gathered to pray at a Buddhist ceremony and they chanted,“Hatred never eases by hatred, but by love alone is healed; this is an ancient and eternal law.” In this way, the Cambodians sought to live a life of love and forgiveness toward their oppressors rather than live in anger and fear. The recording brings the spirit of love into the service. X.The Spiritual ConvergenceAt the front of the room there is a punch bowl filled with water. It represents the Benedictine’s “Common Bowl of Forgiveness” as described in the book,“What’s So Amazing About Grace,” by Philip Yancey. “The Benedictines ... have a moving service of forgiveness and reconciliation. After giving instruction from the Bible, the leaders ask each one attending to identify issues that require forgiveness.Worshipers then submerge their hands in a large bowl of water, “holding” the grievance in their cupped hands. As they pray for the grace to forgive, gradually their hands open to symbolically “release” the grievance. Community members are invited to come forward and enact the Benedictine ceremony. The spiritual convergence is a physical manifestation of the willingness to forgive and has more transforming power than to merely utter the words, “I forgive.” XI.The Spiritual MealThe community is invited to come forward for a simple meal of bread as spiritual nourishment for our journey to forgive. XII. Live MusicThe musicians perform “Let It Be,” by the Beatles to conclude the service. The lyrics most clearly reflect the theme in the stanza, “For though they may be parted there is Still a chance that they will see There will be an answer, let it be.” The lyrics are projected onto the screen and the community is invited to sing along. XI.A Closing PrayerThe spiritual leader offers a closing prayer or some final remarks that summarize the theme of Forgiveness.Then community members are invited to stay for refreshments and fellowship. At Journeys Community, community members respond well to the changing format from week to week because it keeps them engaged, aware and thoughtful about the presence of God in their lives. This is the fourth in a series of articles on Journeys Community. For more information, visit their website at www.journeyscommunity. org or email the Rev. Dr. Harry Brunett at journeyscommunity@ mris.com. |
(c) 2004 The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
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