5/18 Class
Chapter XIV
What is the role of music & art in your spiritual life? In WPPC?
Do you use images or hymns to speak where you can't think through a spiritual problem?
Christopher keeps a lively pace to the hymns, which is noticeable when his substitutes seem plod out the music. Our prayer candles help those from other traditions, such as Catholic, feel at home. An artwork or hymn can help one focus on an idea or concept in the liturgy. Art and/or music can help us remember key events in our spiritual path. Words can be artistically grouped, as with our hymn lyrics. Artful use of light and darkness can enhance the worship. Darkness can also remind us that some believe God communicates with them in their dreams. We can see elements of theater in our liturgy.
Can you see the appreciation of beauty as an antidote to intellectual & spiritual aridness?
Do you see art/music as another form of prayer?
Does art/music help you deal with the mysteries of your faith?
How does music in WPPC help your spirituality, when compared to secular performances?
What do you think of icons?
Chapter XV
Does WPPC help you recognize our different kinds of metanoia [ spiritually transforming moments-page 222]?
Do you think WPPC welcomes people while they take time for their personal transformation or metanoia? (pp. 221-222)
Have you heard people discuss conversion at WPPC? If not, what term do people use, if any?
Are there mass market religious books, movies that you would recommend for WPPC?
How does a tourist become a pilgrim? (pages 215-17)
Do you find fellow travelers to help teach you your spiritual insights? at WPPC or elsewhere? (page 235)
Have you heard of spiritual opportunities in changing from wanderer to pilgrim (page 224); gathering meaning from work (page 226); detaching from consuming society (page 230); focussing on community spirituality, rather than individual piety (page 233); and discerning lost spiritual disciplines from discardable habits (page 235).
During our liturgy we are open to individual responses, whether raising hands, or lighting candles. We not used to hearing “born again, or altar calls.” However, WPPC folks are comfortable talking about small happenings along their spiritual path. Cynthia Bourgeault talks about the economy of the Spirit. The Spirit will provide you just what you need. Those who need a spectacular “road to Damascus” will get that. Others who can be transformed with something less will probably not see the fireworks.
4/6 Class
Chapter II
What images do you have of the US religious past?
28 – Conservative rewrite of history.
Have you heard of historical amnesia?
Genocide, racism, sexism.
Do you see WPPC in chapter 2?
35 – Christian exclusivism vs secular inclusivism
38 – pilgrims, exiles, and immigrants in a new world of post-everything
This chapter reminded us of the Angela Davis debate in the PC(USA). We saw that different people in WPPC have a sense of being a pilgrim, exile, or immigrant. Others said they felt they had two or all three components in their prior WPPC life.
Chapter III
Do you see yourself as spiritual, not religious; religious, not spiritual; or religious & spiritual?
What do you think upon hearing “tradition?”
45 –Borg's taking the Bible seriously, but not literally
--decline occurs with neglect of scripture, prayer, discernment, hospitality, contemplation, & justice
How would a congregation emphasizing “purity” differ from that preferring “practice?”
Is faith about asking questions or finding answers?
51-- If you think you know, you've lost perspective on wisdom—keep a “beginner's mind”
--wisdom, as knowing God, thinking like Christians, comfort with ambiguity & asking questions, rather than definite answers; prioritizing community over holding to dogma
2 Cor 3: 6 letter kills, spirit gives life
Some grew up in congregations where the 2 Cor 3: 6 was used to say their church gave life, but not others. Now we hear that verse in the context that rules stifle a congregation, while allowing “the Spirit to go where it wills” fits our laid back inclinations.
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2 comments:
I would like to see more icon type items in the sanctuary. Wheather they are pictures on the wall or banners wouldn't matter to me. Our sanctuary is large - high ceilings, long room etc. Having something to help focus would help me sometimes. We'll have to look at this closely during the design process we are embarking on. How can we provide a warm space that also challenges us. A space that can provide spiritual guidance even when no service is going on. I think lighting will help too. A bright room is good sometimes and a dimly lit room at other times.
Here's an idea:
Once a month have a reading of a poem that is from Joyce Erickson's library of poems similar to those she led us through in the adult class last fall. She could pick 12 appropriate poems that Wes reviews just to make sure, or not, and have 12 people lined up to read them. No extra work for the reader, they get assigned a poem. Some work for Joyce to pick the poems and the Worship Cmty could recruit readers. Have the poem printed out as an insert in the bulletin so people can follow along.
I think that would be a neat way to insert something different into the worship service, but one that can be appropriate to the setting.
Any thoughts?
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