Yr. C, Wk. 5: For what has been...

Panera Bread provided great sandwiches, salad, and cookies, courtesy of Mariel. Before we ate, we had worship led by Scott in the other room, with candle, apple slices with honey, scraps of paper, and flowing water. These were all elements of traditional Rosh Hashanah worship, for washing away scraps in our lives that hold us down, for remembering the sweetness of life, and for recitation of confession and praise. We considered the question, "What's sweet in your life recently, or expected in the near future?"

Yr. C, Living as Spiritually Mature Christians Class: Matt, Pete, first year' Christine, second year; Mariel, Gene, third year; Erica, fourth year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: none!

Our discussion of the readings took off from Matt's delight at engaging with Genesis again, after having read it in a very different context back at FSU. The issues of translation and feelings of delight / confusion brought out interesting comments from all participants in all years.

Following our cookie break, we added colorful images to the mandalas we're producing week - by - week, and told the stories that go with them. This week, we doubled up, with stories first of a person or event that contributed to our maturing spiritually; then, of a question that moved us forward in that maturing process. We practiced active listening, then capped each set with the prayer, "For what has been, for what is, and for what is to come, we give thanks."

We concluded with a collect for St. Michaelmas, which coincided this year with Rosh Hashanah, both being backwards - and - forwards looking remembrances. [Photo: Botticini, 1470, Florence - an image associated with Michaelmas: Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael with Tobias.] 




Next week: Brown bag. Christine provides worship and a question for our check - in time during the meal. We're doing the readings assigned for Week Six. We will be sharing stories of a "an imperative" that helped us to mature as Christians.