by Mr. Richard E. Hurst
Christians in the Eastern Church tell us that "theology is a vision of God." In our free Christianity, each of us might have a somewhat different vision of the Divine from our neighbors. What is your vision of God? What spiritual practices hold you close, center you, are meaningful to you? In corporate worship, we might be see our each other, in the words of St. Paul "through a glass, darkly." But each of us hungers to disclose who we are, through words that are meaningful to us, through painting and pictures, music and dance, reflections and poetry, through every means of human expression, to each other, and to God. Some of our expressions might fill up an entire service, or be the framework for an entire service. Some might be parts for a larger service. Some might be elements displayed in our worship space.
St. Paul went on to say in Corinthians "I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known." Come "be known," and come be known "face to face," in our community of faith, freedom and learning this summer, as we plan for worship. This is a time when services are less formal and include elements that might not otherwise be included during the year, given our traditional approach to liturgy and worship.
Planning for summer services will begin after service this Sunday, June 6, at 12:30 p.m., in the parlor. Call Richard Hurst at (202) 329-9382 with your ideas in the meantime or if you cannot attend; e-mail him at richard.hurst@atf.gov.