Ends and Odds, Odds and Ends

Worship

This Sunday, August 28, we finish our three-Sunday worship series, Day by Day, The Ancient Made New! This week, we focus on the birthing practices, Breathe and Push. Can’t get much more ancient or new than that, can we?!

Alongside what is often called, “The Great Commandment,” we’ve also pondered Now Testament passages and videos from activist/author, Valarie Kaur. This week we’ll also receive an encouraging word from Bishop Rev. Dr. William Barber, founder of the Poor People’s Campaign.

Birthing any new thing is rarely easy but attempting to bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice may the longest labor humans can imagine or endure. Breathing and pushing . . . breathing and pushing again . . . and again . . . from generation to generation . . .breathing . . . pushing . . . recovering . . . again, breathing and pushing.

Sometimes all we can do is cry out during the apparent endlessness of the pain and the effort of it all. What better reason to rest and recover, if only briefly, between contractions. In community we can find a rhythm and a cadence that allows us to take turns breathing and pushing and breathing again – some inhaling while others exhale – all the while, listening, learning and loving.

There is a word in Zulu that means hold on to, cling fast, hang in there – together: Bambelela. (pronounced bahm-beh-leh-lah.)  Bambalela, Dear Living Table community.

Pass it on!

RAT (Ritual Arts Team) Happenings

WHO? Ritual Arts Team members

WHO ELSE? Any others who are interested in contributing occasionally to the creation and manifestation of sensory rich, meaningful and memorable worship

WHAT? Dreaming and Planning sessions

WHEN? Saturday, Aug 27, 10 am – Noon; Wed, Aug 31, 6 – 8 pm; Saturday, Sept 3, 10 am – Noon;

WHERE? Living Table (Small) Sanctuary at New Branches

Look forward to seeing you there!