Although last night's Advent series did not go quite like I had planned it, God showed up and took over. It was wonderful to listen to children tell about their favorite Christmas traditions at home, for us to talk about traditions that we have here in our congregation and then to let everyone loose and encounter God through art and prayer. Some really got into it and some enjoyed catching up with friends chatting and watching the children, adults and youth who were wandering around from prayer station to prayer station. In the background played some celtic guitar music, Sufjan Stevens' "O Come O come Emmanuel", James Taylor's "In the Bleak Midwinter" to images of the Annunciation.So here was the flow for last night (some of actually went this way, and some of this is how it was planned):
+ When participants arrive they receive a number which leads them to a small group of 6 people (adults/children and youth) *1
+ Once everyone is gathered they are greeted and welcomed and we have an opening prayer along with lighting one candle from an advent wreath in the middle of the room.
+ In their small groups they are to go around the circle and tell everyone: 1) their name, 2) what school they go to/ or what they do for a living, 3) something they love to do, and 4) their favorite Christmas time traditions
+ AFTER ALLOWING TIME FOR PEOPLE TO SHARE ABOUT THEMSELVES, READ JEREMIAH 33: 14-16. THEN THIS STORY IS TOLD:
(adapted from a folktale from the Hasidic tradition)
There once was a man who became very dismayed with the way the world was. He grew tired of all the violence, injustice and war. Day after day he dreamed of a world where everyone got along and loved each other. He heard that their was a heavenly city that existed- and sure enough in this city people treated each other with respect and kindness, and their was no war and peaceful living prevailed.
So one day the man declared to his family that he was leaving to go on a pilgrimage to find this heavenly city. So he prepared a modest pack with a modest amount of food and a modest bedroll and a modest amount of clothes and set out in search of the heavenly city.
He travelled for several days heading in the direction that he was certain would lead him to this city. One night he stopped to sleep and as his custom he took his boots off and placed them pointing in the direction of the "heavenly city". During the evening a person lurking around who was absolutely up to no good came upon the man. Thinking that he wanted the boots he picked them up, but then as the man stirred he become frightened and put them back down and hurried off into the night. In the process of putting them back down though, he placed them facing the opposite direction.
The next morning the man awoke, ate a modest breakfast and put his boots on, being careful to notice the direction in which they were facing. He walked and walked and walked. And after several more days he approached the heavenly city.
It looked strangely familiar. Faces there looked like faces he'd seen before. But these faces were so much nicer. He smiled and greeted them and they greeted him back. He walked up to a house that looked a lot like his house back home. He knocked on the door and was greeted by a family that looked like his family. From that day on the man stayed in the heavenly city having found a place where he lived in peace with others and saw in others what he had only hoped for in the "city from which he was from". *2
+ IN SMALL GROUPS: What is God's dream for the world? If God asked you what your dream world would look like, what would you tell God?
+ AT THIS POINT, AFTER EVERYONE HAS HAD A CHANCE TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS THE GROUPS ARE INVITED TO HAVE A TIME OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION AROUND THE PRAYER STATIONS.
Station 1: Seeds of Hope materials needed: plastic purple tablecloth, potting soil, a few candles, pots or containers for the soil.
Prayer Meditation Sheet:
"When the time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David Tree... The motto for the world will be, "God Has Set Things Right For Us."- Jeremiah 33:14, 17
Trees... vegetables... flowers... none of these things can grow or thrive unless the soil has nurtured them while they were still seeds. When we look around at the world we could use more flowers to brighten our lives. MEDITATION: In front of you are trays of soil. You are invited to put your fingers, or your hands, into the soil. As you do this- think of ways you can be a "seed of hope" in the world.
STATION 2: THE WAILING WALL (picture not available yet) *3
Materials Needed: Large piece of butcher paper attached to wall, markers, crayons, newspapers, magazines, glue, scissors
Meditation:
The Wailing Wall is a place to write or draw about the things you see in the world, or have experienced that you wish might be different.
We will have an opportunity each week to add to the wall. Consider bringing pictures or newsarticles that trouble you- to put on the wall.
STATION 3: THE DAVID TREEMaterials Needed: Christmas Tree, Christmas ornaments (metallic type balls), hooks or ribbon, paint pens.
Prayer Meditation Sheet:
"The time is coming- and I will make a fresh and true shoot from the David Tree." Jeremiah 33: 14-15
God promised God's children a sign of hope. We as Christians see that hope through the birth of Jesus. But have you ever thought of yourself as a sign of hope? Anyone who follows Jesus is a sign of hope- just like Jesus was and is. MEDITATION: Take one of the ornaments and on it create a symbol or a word that describes who you are. When you are finished place that ornament on the tree. Look at the tree and realize you are part of God's big family.
MEDITATION FOR THOSE SITTING: Making Dream IconsMaterials needed: Sheets of paper, 8.5x11 cut into halves- 1 for each participant; small magnet strips, crayons and markers.
What is your dream for the world? Take a sheet of cardstock paper and draw an image or word that expresses the world of your dreams. After you are finished stick a magnet strip on the back of it and you can put somewhere prominant during Advent to remind you to be a sign of hope in the world.
+ COMING BACK TOGETHER AND SENDING FORTH: allow space for participants to share one thing they experienced during the prayer time, along with prayer concerns. Close with a benediction.
*1: we ended up staying all together and not doing small groups this week, but plan to next week.
*2: I didn' get to tell the story, I could tell that we were going to be pushed for time.
*3: turned out great, but I forgot to take a pic
Next week we will be focusing on the narrative of John the Baptist "preparing the way". That should be a lot of fun!!
Shalom,
JNorm
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