School started for many children this week. This week for the first time in 14 years I am not making lunches for Meagan or Ryan as both are off to college. Mary Ann and I are now emptynesters. Another change in life: it brings moments of sadness but also a sense of satisfaction and anticipation for the next stage of our life journey.
Change happens. It is happening at Open Circle as well. Perhaps the biggest change this fall is the addition of a second worship service, beginning Wednesday evening September 19. This will be a very different service. It will be a service that features silence: an opportunity to sit, pray, and meditate. It will include meditative music and singing, readings from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, and pagan traditions, weekly communion (also using a variety of traditions), and candle-lighting during prayer time. I am very excited about providing this opportunity to meet a different experience and need.
Our Sunday morning worship will continue to offer us an opportunity to engage scripture and biblical interpretation from a progressive perspective, as well as messages on a variety of issues current and historical. But we have changes coming Sunday morning as well. A new expanded song book is in the works. Hallelujah! This year you can expect to see a greater variety of musical ensembles and dramas and more opportunity to find a way to participate in worship.
If you have taken the summer off or have been away for awhile, we hope to see you back soon. If you are looking for some quiet time to meditate, join us on Wednesday evenings. If you are looking to sing in an ensemble, act in a drama, think about issues and scriptures, get your children involved in an education program, join us for Sunday morning. If you are looking for a small group experience or an opportunity to serve check out the numerous opportunities in the newsletter.
It is one of the unique challenges of being a progressive Christian (or spiritual) community that we don't teach - and we know you don't believe - that anyone is a bad person or destined for eternal punishment if they don't go to church. So why go? Here's my short list: to be part of a progressive community that is working together to effect change in our world through its mission and service; to be connected for support in times of need; to be challenged to think and to grow spiritually in the presence of other spiritual seekers who have different ideas and perceptions of the world; to be part of a religious community that is openly welcoming of gays and lesbians - Open Circle is unique in the south metro; to be reminded week in and week out that no matter where we have been on our life journey Love is our deepest essence: we are Love and we are loved. I will never tell anyone that life isn't ok without church, but I know for a fact that life can be better with it. I hope to see you soon.
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