Gathering as Quartz Forest Church on Sunday the18th of January
We will meet at 2pm outside the Crichton chapel on the 18th of January.
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Peace
We will meet in Peace and make peace by meeting.
Whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus or are just a wee bit curious we meet in his name.
As we gather in the green we will take some time to reflect on the change in the season. As we feel the stirring of spring take a moment to remember the grace of God and not rush headlong into the new year, yet. But today we practice #SensingSpirituality and sensing the stirring.
We will read from the book and read from creation – both that growing around us, and the creative acts of humans within the environment.
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of heaven and earth: mercifully hear the prayers of your people, and grant your peace to our times; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
SEC calendar (All years)
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Reading from the book
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[a]
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[b]).
John 1:29-42 NIV (Bible Gateway, links lead there)
(Simons reflection – written here for those unable to join with us on the day)
For me, at first glance, this reading looked like it was all about John (the evangelist) writing about John (the baptist) handing on the work to Jesus. I was struck by the straight forward recognition that “We have found the Messiah” and the use of name changing to establish Peter as a foundation.
It was less clear about how this reading links to Forest Church. Then I started to think more deeply and read the text again. This is what we can do when we gather as forest Church. We can take the text and reflect on it. We can relate to the words in the presence of our ‘friends the trees’. They don’t speak (or write) words like we do, but how much of conversation even between humans in Non verbal?
Forest Church is partly about healing an primal relationship between us and earth, wind, fire, water – and spirit. In the scene described above they are gathered outdoors by a river. Jesus uses the awareness that the people listening to him have of the solidness of stone and the nature of rock. They have been using water in a ritual, as a whole body immersive experience, that is more than simply words. John saw “… the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him”. We can bring our experiences of the outdoors inside with us when we gather indoors. At Forest Church gatherings these experiences can be of a live connection.
When we read from Creation, we can be open to receive blessings from the other than human entities we are in the presence of. At our gatherings this is perhaps not “Wild”. It is however less controlled. The weather will be immediate and can disturb as well as pleasure us. The actual experience of moving water can cut through clothing! but also the romantic notions that we perhaps over indulge when we imagine it. We can heal the connection between the abstracted storytelling use of the word “Dove” and the actual pigeons we see flying in the park.
So when we ‘read’ from the ‘book of creation’ and reflect on the words in the bible we are learning new skills. Not simply doing a bible study outside, or looking for enhanced allegories. Perhaps we are re-learning to sense the thrill of being outside. The imagined feeling of being a bird sensitive to the invisible wind. The childlike connection with the present moment unencumbered by all the other moments which press down upon our minds.
Then we can also use our intellect and ability to be aware of an experience as well as simply experience it. But with the two in relationship, harmony, again both of them benefit. We are not trying to become children, or behave in a childish way. We are relearning to be childlike and wash away the scales of adult pride so that we are ready to change and grow. The words we have inherited and adult skills and experiences we have, can then inform, correct and guide that growth. On a secure foundation, in relationship with our creator and living architect who comforts us and is with us in daily life.
Reading from Creation
- Look for the element “Water” explore the many forms you encounter it in.
- What are the birds doing? what would it be like to be a bird and sense the air moving around you with feathers all over your skin? Perhaps you could hold a leaf in your fingers and use that to amplify the sensation of moving through air. Maybe the air will be moving fast enough to feel the hairs on the back of your hand move?
- What do you enjoy doing outdoors – or if you are no longer a child what childhood memories do you have of outdoor experiences? Is there anything which scares you a bit but in an exciting way that makes you want to find out more? Spend some time wondering why that is, and perhaps testing something out.
Gathering
We will use the Taize refrain “Holy Spirit Come To Us” to gather together again.
Holy Spirit, come to us,
Kindle in us the fire of your love.
Holy Spirit, come to us,
Holy Spirit, come to us.
Full Lyrics and score on Hymnary.org
Reflection
We will gather together and share our insights, or simply share the wordless experience of being in the place together.
Blessing
We will stand and sense the peace that surrounds us in the wind and sounds of the place where we are gathered. What are the birds doing?(Perhaps use the Jesus prayer if you know it? Or if you are more one for running and dancing, flap your arms like wings and run through the trees as if you are flying)
(Stand and still yourself, rooted)
Feel the wind on your face, and sense the invisible air currents.
Feel the breath moving in and out of you.
‘Fly’ through the week that has been and the one that is coming. be sensitive to where the Holy Spirit is blowing you.
Together:
Holy Spirit, present as pigeons, quicken our hearts and minds. Now and in the days to come. As we in peace to love and co-create with the architect of the cosmos.
(shake out the fankles and prepare to walk!)
A wee drink and a bite to eat?
We will head over to the central café for a spot of refreshment together, and to continue chatting about what we have experienced.
Get in touch if you discern God at work and want to share what you sense!