Another Sacred Space – March 22nd
LAST SUNDAY MORNING, March 15th, my family spent a few minutes reading short biblical texts, followed by prayers for people we know in our lives. How holy of us. Actually, it felt a little strange, trying to enter sacred space together in our living room, just the six of us. It was not the familiar setting we share together with YOU, in our church building, or any of the other places Emmaus Road has regularly gathered on Sunday mornings. In those familiar gatherings, we know what to expect; we recognize what we are trying to accomplish as a gathered crowd. Last Sunday in our home, instead, felt a little contrived, and somewhat awkward. Our household, though sharing the same faith, is not the same as “church.”
Or is it?
Many of us know a similar experience, of overcoming weirdness, trying to cultivate sacred space in small groups. Whether crossing from bible/book study mode into prayer or moving beyond social connecting and catching up to intentionally seeking the Spirit’s direction together, creating ANOTHER SACRED SPACE with a small group of believers can be daunting. It usually requires a discussion about structure and content among participants, and a pledge to be present and committed; it needs at least one person willing to take responsibility to guide the group process.
Emmaus Road, we are each being called to step into ANOTHER SACRED SPACE, and to overcome challenges like weirdness. We are being called to turn from the relentless distractions at home, work, or of having no work, having too many people around, or of having nobody around. To stay strong, faithful, and be there for each other and our neighbor, we will need to cultivate ways to spiritually work and spiritually rest. Taking the initiative to learn, to pray, to find ways to speak of God together, to encourage, to listen, to serve – these are spiritual muscles every follower of Christ is meant to exercise. These exercises have often been limited to a narrow band of time set aside as our religious routine, a couple of hours, one or two days a week, letting others do most of the heavy lifting. That routine has been disrupted.
Are we up to the challenge, church? Will we heed the call, to discover God with us, in ANOTHER SACRED SPACE, beyond Sunday, beyond the familiar gathering place, the songs, and sermons? Will we discover he is with us, even as we try to cultivate new practices at home, with family, or all alone, even as it feels strange at first? Can we find our way to move and grow together along new channels, cultivating new virtual communal sacred spaces?
This is the hope and prayer of your pastor and council. Our strategy is to pray for you and for each other, to stay in touch with everyone, and to share stories of how people are cultivating ANOTHER SACRED SPACE in the context of COVID-19 realities. We want to explore new channels of learning and reflection (like all schools and organizations facing disruptions), to discern how the Holy Spirit is calling our community of Christ-followers to respond to each other’s needs and those of our neighbor.
WHO’S CALLING?
YOUR ELDERS and Pastor will be sharing a list of Emmaus Road households to make calls this week. We want to know how you are doing, what your challenges are, and how we can pray for you. You may feel like you have a lot of spare time, yet ironically, you are busier and more preoccupied than ever. Please respond to their calls; let’s stay in touch.