![]() It is the safe space for learning and discussion that prepares us lovingly for the hard work of justice and compassion ahead. It is the small rituals and gestures we undertake with each other in this sacred space that give everyday life its value and meaning, that comfort us, make us feel at home, rooted and generous. It makes space for restoring loving and intimate connections with each other. And yet it isn’t a place that simply holds the holy for us rather, it helps us integrate our faith into the rhythm of our daily lives. It is a space set apart where we can release our weltschmerz (world weariness) and breathe into the present moment. As I say in the sermon,Īt its best, religious community is a shelter from the storm. I used this as the closing hymn for a sermon talking about how religious community can be and should be a place of sanctuary for our souls and spirits. I don’t mind at all, because (a) the original invokes ‘Ebenezer’ (Hebrew for ‘stone of God’), which is referenced in Samuel 7:12 and is used to say it’s only because of God that we are able to do anything, which is very NOT Unitarian or Universalist in theology and (b) Navias captures some of my own theistic humanism – namely, saying that which we look to (which some call God) reminds us to look to each other and work together and love together. It feels a little like cheating that this was our closing hymn yesterday, and I’ve had it as an earworm for 24 hours – and it’s been on my mind since I first chose it for this service weeks ago.Īnd in this case, I don’t even care that only verse one is original, and that Eugene Navias, a Minister of Religious Education and 1977 winner of the Angus McLean Award for excellence in religious education, wrote the second and third verses for us. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |