LABYRINTH

Several years ago I got really into labyrinths. Read all there was on the web at that time. For more information check here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinth and for more information than you will probably ever want to know check here http://lessonsforliving.com/labyrinth.htm. I read a couple of books. Then I discovered that a Chartres labyrinth on canvas was open for public walks once a month at a local church. I became a once a month walker. Basically, for me, this is a meditative/prayerful walk. I stand at the opening facing the center, take a few quiet moments to settle myself, and then step by step, make my way to the center.
The Chartres style labyrinth is much more intricate than the basic seven path Cretan ones pictured below. It takes me about three quarters of an hour to walk to the middle. Now this is a slow meditative walk, mind you. I have seen children delight in a labyrinth run. And I once had the privilege of seeing Helen Curry, author of "The Way of the Labyrinth: A Powerful Meditation for Everyday Life," dance around it. That was a spiritual vision to behold. It is a great book to read, by the way.

My son Jeff and I put two labyrinths on the floor of the undercroft at our church. (Undercroft -- that is church talk for basement.) We used masking tape so it wasn't permanent. We encircled each one with votive candles, had a CD player for Celtic type music, and invited one and all to come walk the labyrinth. People of all ages came on a Saturday evening, removed their shoes, and quietly walked these labyrinths. The next morning, the Sunday School children enjoyed themselves also -- in a much more playful way. It was such a great success that we wanted to paint it on the floor, for a more permanent meditative tool. Alas, the knowledge about the origins and use of a labyrinth were not fully understood, and the project was suppressed.

Now, though, years later, we have more knowledge, acceptability, and an enlightened priest. We are planning labyrinths. Did y'all get that? LabyrinthS -- plural. I am excited about the future of this church. We are going forward. The Holy spirit is pushing us.

STABILITY

Our lives are troubled and fraught with difficulties, challenges, and, oh my gosh --change. In every generation. Those behind me face the problems that some of us are escaping. Those ahead of me, although there are not all that many any more, are facing the end times and resolution with their present and past. Technology mushrooms. The environment? Who knows. The financial situation is disastrous. And on and on.

No wonder that we seek some stability for our lives. And so we turn to the church for the sameness that will offer solace and peace. Surprise! The church is not the same. And trying to make it the same is causing it to die. And those that don't want it to die are struggling to find new ways. It is hard. Jan Edmiston's blog has been addressing this issue in the church where she serves for quite a while. Yesterday's blog spelled out many of the stumbling blocks that we face. Do go read it here. It is also worth reading the links to which she points.

The struggles with an emerging church in a staid congregation sets up an "us/them" situation. And this in itself is not healthy and, worse yet, not pastoral. But what to do? This morning as I was thinking through some of these things, I realized that God is the sameness. God is what we are all seeking. And yet.... I think that some have embedded "God" in the rituals of old. Somehow God is lost in the trappings of the sameness that we hold so dear.

Perhaps we will find a way to release God from the bondage we have created and thereby set ourselves free to know the living God once again.

MUSIC IN LITURGY

The World of Doorman-Priest is entering into a weekend of study on preaching and music in liturgy. I enjoy music with the liturgy. Good music. Unfortunately good music is not always available. I have been assailed with some very bad music in my church. Hymns that should have been flushed long ago. Hymns that are played in funeral dirge tempo. Spirituals that drone WORSE than a funeral dirge. And some just plain sloppy and inept organ playing.

Music needs to be an emotional experience. Something that reaches into my soul and pulls me closer to God. Music that enlivens and uplifts. Music of quality and integrity. This happens, of course, with gifted leaders and practice, practice, practice. And so I cannot be too critical here because I am do not participate in the music program. There are some very dedicated people and the music they are making of late is quite good. Given a choir of six, they have a wonderful spirit and a wonderful sound. I would like a whole lot more but I am grateful for what we have.

One Sunday a few years ago we welcomed a liturgical dancer. Just one. Doing a modern ballet routine to music on a CD. She had beautiful form and flow with the music as she danced up and down the main aisle of the church and up and around the altar. I just didn't quite understand it. It was beautiful. It just somehow seemed to be apart from the worship service. Maybe if we had had some kind of introduction and/or teaching first, I might have been more appreciative. If the music had seemed to be a part of us and not just for the performance of the dancer.

But then I remember even farther back than the liturgical dancer -- drums. Or drum, as in one. And a singer who could sing with the drum. The drum and the singer were one and they were part of the liturgy and there was rythm and there was dance. In fact in our staid congregation people were swinging their hips and clapping their hands and they were a part of the celebration of God.

Yes, music is good. We need more of it. Music that reaches our souls. Music that carries us up to God. Music that brings God into our souls.

PULLING WEEDS

Summer may have ended, the heat has not. I do not turn on the AC because it does cool off at night. But the heat of the day is pretty yuk. This morning as I finished my thirty minutes on the treadmill, the sweat was dripping off my chin and running into my ears. Heat and humidity. And the percent of rain expected today -- 30%. Not going to happen.

Being overcast, and being damp, and maybe the ground has been misted, I think I will run up to church and pull some more green growth out of the curbing of the driveway. Really! We need for the church to look like we care for it. I mean really care for it. Care enough to toil, to sweat some more. I want to get this stuff pulled up so that I can repaint the yellow stripe along the curbing. Won't that be nice. A crisp yellow line that says we care here. We want you to see that we put our time and effort into preparing for your presence here. Come!