I am looking out on a grey Seattle morning. Even though we are expecting some hot weather later this week, I am very aware that the seasons are changing, the days are getting shorter and we are heading inexorably towards autumn. Change is the most consistent truth that life offers us. Nothing remains the same for long. We need to welcome and embrace it. If we dig in our heels and try to avoid the changes that are coming, whether it be in the seasons of the year, in our own aging bodies or in the political and environment changes that surround us, it only makes life more challenging.
This week has been a very satisfying one for me, reinforcing my belief that grief and gratitude must walk hand in hand. My Meditation Monday – When Grief and Gratitude Embrace was one of the most popular I have posted. Many of you commented on how it spoke to you in the midst of the grieving in your own heart, not just grieving loved ones but also fractured relationships and the horrors of violence and climate catastrophes. Others commented on how it assisted the writing sermons for next week, as the Old Testament lectionary reading was about David mourning Absalom.
Thank you for your feedback and encouragement. It really helps me shape who I am and what I do.
Our recent Liturgical Rebels episode Beyond Church Walls with Martin Poole was also extremely popular. Martin is an incredibly creative worship curator and the author of Church Beyond Walls. His ideas inspire all of us to experiment with new and creative ways to worship and draw close to God. Many of us are very aware that same old, same old doesn’t work any more and people like Martin help lead the charge for change. It came to mind at our community meeting last night when one of our members said “my running and hiking are more church to me than being in a building.” Then I read a comment by Australian theologian Mike Frost quoting Nicola Olyslagers, Australian high Jumper “For me, it’s like being in a church. My worship might not be my singing, it’s in my feet jumping over a bar.” He commented that it mirrored Eric Liddell’s words from the 1924 Paris Olympics, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” God is all around us, in everything we do and it is often in the activities that give us joy and satisfaction that we feel closest to our creator. I love how The Liturgical Rebels is helping to stretch people’s imaginations to embrace new ways to worship and draw close to God.
I loved Lilly Lewin’s Freerange Friday: Taste And See. She lives in Nashville where the summer is in full swing and she is enjoying the delights of her local farmer’s market and locally baked bread. Makes me want to fly to Nashville for the weekend. She reminded us that July 31st the church calendar honored the death of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Who gave us the EXAMEN…a wonderful prayer practice to help us notice and recognize where we’ve seen God along our way.
On August 9th we celebrate The International Day of Indigenous People such an important one to highlight. As Rachel Taber-Hamilton highlights reminded us in her important post of 2020. Indigenous peoples across the globe share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples due to the impact of historical and modern forces of colonialism.
In case you wonder where we find out about days like this to highlighthere are the links to find other possibilities for global celebration days; Celtic saints we have still to hear about, here is the complete list to draw from or this National Days of Observance for the U.S., for the UK and another for Australia. For New Zealand check out this list, for South Africa and for Canada. Looks as though we all have lots to celebrate
My big project at the moment is the new Celtic Advent devotional Following an Unfamiliar Path through Advent. I am enjoying revisiting my Celtic resources, writing daily reflections and incorporating both new and old prayers in the daily offerings. At the same time I am getting ready to host several Celtic inspired musicians, theologians and spiritual directors on Liturgical Rebels. I am having so much fun revisiting this material that I want to try something new. I would like to enlist your help in the process. For the rest of this month, I will share excerpts from my new book with all current paid Substack subscribers to enjoy and comment on. Each week I’ll post an update of my progress and invite your feedback. I’ll also answer any questions you may have about my stories and creative choices. To participate, all you have to do is join the paid subscription to my Substack (either monthly or annually), and you’ll automatically get the updates. You can do this by clicking the link below. I’ll post my first writing update later this week.
Don’t forget too to save the dates for my upcoming webinars. Introduction to Celtic Christianity September 7th; Preparing for Advent November 16th. We are working to simplify the ways people register and hope to have these open for you to sign up next week so don’t forget to save the dates.
Let me end with one of my favourite Celtic prayers attributed to Brigid of Kildaire, which I used at many of our Celtic retreats and on other occasions for a grace before meals.
I should like a great lake of finest ale,
for the King of Kings
I should like a table of the choicest food,
for the family of heaven.
Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith,
and the food be forgiving love.
I should welcome the poor to my feast,
for they are God’s children.
I should welcome the sick to my feast,
for they are God’s joy.
Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place,
and the sick dance with the angels
God bless the poor,
God bless the sick,
and bless our human race.
God bless our food,
God bless our drink,
all homes, O God, embrace.
Many blessings
Christine Sine
photo by Lina Kivaka on pexels.com