Saturday is another chance to hear about our research and insights into the ways church is transforming today. Some call it the emerging church. Though it's bigger than that. Some call it alternative worship. That's a part, but just the beginning. We'll help you understand and cut through the buzz words.
We traveled 5,000 miles and conducted dozens of interviews in the fall. We talked to church leaders, folks who fled for the hills out of churches, and still others who were limping around in the hills trying to find others to build something new. We talked to vegans and artists. Professors and spiritual entrepreneurs.
We noticed some trends. We learned a lot. And now we are back in Tucson living into some spiritual experiments.
Saturday, June 7, is a chance to encounter some of the communities we studied via photos and stories. We've got video and interactive stations to give you a glimpse of the creative spirit that is a foot.
Come join us Saturday.
4 to 6 pm,
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church:
545 S. 5th Ave., Tucson
See you there!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Becoming
Recently we re-met some folks who've also been dreaming about community.
At the beginning of the month we went to a supper to hear about a potential new, national ecumenical order for peace that is stirring.
About 25 people came. Mostly youngish. We all shared our dreams and longings for re-imagining Christian community in life giving ways.
From that gathering we re-connected with some people we had sort of met before. But come to find out they've been thinking/dreaming/planning some of the same things we have. So naturally we invited them over for supper the following week. We've met twice now and will again next week. The fun has begun.
We all long for a community to pray with daily, and to share the daily tasks of cooking, gardening, child raising, so that we are freed to do the things we are called to in the world. We want to live in a neighborhood and be good neighbors. And to work toward making our community a more just and peaceful place together.
It is good to feel in the flow of a longing and vision much bigger and deeper than us alone. I think that's called the Holy Spirit doing her thing. Happy Pentecost.
At the beginning of the month we went to a supper to hear about a potential new, national ecumenical order for peace that is stirring.
About 25 people came. Mostly youngish. We all shared our dreams and longings for re-imagining Christian community in life giving ways.
From that gathering we re-connected with some people we had sort of met before. But come to find out they've been thinking/dreaming/planning some of the same things we have. So naturally we invited them over for supper the following week. We've met twice now and will again next week. The fun has begun.
We all long for a community to pray with daily, and to share the daily tasks of cooking, gardening, child raising, so that we are freed to do the things we are called to in the world. We want to live in a neighborhood and be good neighbors. And to work toward making our community a more just and peaceful place together.
It is good to feel in the flow of a longing and vision much bigger and deeper than us alone. I think that's called the Holy Spirit doing her thing. Happy Pentecost.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Thanks
Thanks to all the U of A students, Join the Living supporters, and friends who participated in the Learning Party on Saturday. It was a wonderful conversation.
We forgot to take any pictures. The moment is often more compelling than documenting it to me. But the exhibits included a wheelbarrow full of what we are currently planting and growing, corrugated sheet metal full of photos, micro-brew beer boxes for the "taking church out of the box" interactive station and a giant map documenting our travel route.
For taking church out of the box we placed photos and quotes and items inside the micro-brew beer boxes. Each box "held" a church we studied on the tour: The Refuge, Church of the Beloved, Church of the Apostles, SEVEN Community, and Thad's. The micro-brew boxes was a nod to Dave in Flagstaff who describes his church start as more of a micro-brew endeavor than a factory, industrial sort of project.
COMING UP FOR JOIN THE LIVING...
Hiking Church will meet at Sabino Canyon from here on out. Our last Sunday will be May 4. Meet us at 9 am at the welcome map in front of the main center. Let us know if you'd like to carpool.
Soul Lullaby: The final Soul Lullaby of the Easter Season will be Friday, May 2, at sunset which is at 7:06 pm that day. We'll fill the courtyard of St. Andrew's with candles and luminaries. This coming Soul Lullaby will focus on women mystics and the sacred feminine, because several of them are remembered around this time of the year on the church calendar. There will be music, some readings, silence, and time to ease into the weekend. And each Soul Lullaby actually ends with a sung lullaby blessing.
We forgot to take any pictures. The moment is often more compelling than documenting it to me. But the exhibits included a wheelbarrow full of what we are currently planting and growing, corrugated sheet metal full of photos, micro-brew beer boxes for the "taking church out of the box" interactive station and a giant map documenting our travel route.
For taking church out of the box we placed photos and quotes and items inside the micro-brew beer boxes. Each box "held" a church we studied on the tour: The Refuge, Church of the Beloved, Church of the Apostles, SEVEN Community, and Thad's. The micro-brew boxes was a nod to Dave in Flagstaff who describes his church start as more of a micro-brew endeavor than a factory, industrial sort of project.
COMING UP FOR JOIN THE LIVING...
Hiking Church will meet at Sabino Canyon from here on out. Our last Sunday will be May 4. Meet us at 9 am at the welcome map in front of the main center. Let us know if you'd like to carpool.
Soul Lullaby: The final Soul Lullaby of the Easter Season will be Friday, May 2, at sunset which is at 7:06 pm that day. We'll fill the courtyard of St. Andrew's with candles and luminaries. This coming Soul Lullaby will focus on women mystics and the sacred feminine, because several of them are remembered around this time of the year on the church calendar. There will be music, some readings, silence, and time to ease into the weekend. And each Soul Lullaby actually ends with a sung lullaby blessing.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tour Party & Hiking this weekend
Coming up this weekend for friends of Join the Living in Tucson are:
• Saturday afternoon come-and-go learning party, April 19, 4 to 6 pm, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church parish hall, 545 S. 5th Ave. Come learn what we discovered on our fall research tour. Interactive learning stations, snacks, conversation. Kate and Carol will give a brief presentation around 5 p.m. that will expand your mind and make you look at the world, your community and your spiritual life differently.
• Hiking church returns to Sabino Canyon this Sunday, April 20. Meet at the Welcome Center map at 9, or let us know if you'd like to carpool from the university area.
Spending Sunday mornings in the desert has been soothing to the soul. We take only easy hikes, for about 30 minutes to an hour. There's something about not trying to domesticate the Sacred inside and instead encountering the Divine in the wilds that is grounding and provocative.
After we shared communion on the first hike we saw a bright red cardinal in the tree beside us. It reminded us of the cardinal we saw when we were about to begin this journey several months ago. (See one of our very first blog posts for more on that). The next Sunday we talked about the gospel reading as we walked. The gospel for the day was the walk to Emmaus, where two of the disciples figure out they are walking along with Jesus, they just didn't recognize him. And last Sunday we had a great discussion about the divinity of Jesus as we sat on a rock and watched lizards scamper by.
We hope you'll join us and feel free to bring some friends.
• Saturday afternoon come-and-go learning party, April 19, 4 to 6 pm, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church parish hall, 545 S. 5th Ave. Come learn what we discovered on our fall research tour. Interactive learning stations, snacks, conversation. Kate and Carol will give a brief presentation around 5 p.m. that will expand your mind and make you look at the world, your community and your spiritual life differently.
• Hiking church returns to Sabino Canyon this Sunday, April 20. Meet at the Welcome Center map at 9, or let us know if you'd like to carpool from the university area.
Spending Sunday mornings in the desert has been soothing to the soul. We take only easy hikes, for about 30 minutes to an hour. There's something about not trying to domesticate the Sacred inside and instead encountering the Divine in the wilds that is grounding and provocative.
After we shared communion on the first hike we saw a bright red cardinal in the tree beside us. It reminded us of the cardinal we saw when we were about to begin this journey several months ago. (See one of our very first blog posts for more on that). The next Sunday we talked about the gospel reading as we walked. The gospel for the day was the walk to Emmaus, where two of the disciples figure out they are walking along with Jesus, they just didn't recognize him. And last Sunday we had a great discussion about the divinity of Jesus as we sat on a rock and watched lizards scamper by.
We hope you'll join us and feel free to bring some friends.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Finger Rock Hike this Sunday
On Sunday, April 13, we're taking hiking church to Finger Rock.
We plan to hike about a mile on the easy part, read the gospel for the day and talk about it, share some communion and hike back. The trail is free.
If you'd like to carpool from Epic coffee house on 4th Ave, let us know. We'll leave there at 8:25 am.
To get to the Finger Rock trailhead:
We plan to hike about a mile on the easy part, read the gospel for the day and talk about it, share some communion and hike back. The trail is free.
If you'd like to carpool from Epic coffee house on 4th Ave, let us know. We'll leave there at 8:25 am.
To get to the Finger Rock trailhead:
From Skyline Drive go north on Alvernon Way until it dead ends into the parking lot and trailhead. Alvernon Way is between Campbell and Swan. Click here for a map.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Sunday Hike
Sunday, April 6, 9 am.
We'll hike the Pima canyon trailhead.
Either meet us there at 9 am or call to carpool.
Directions: head north on 1st ave until it comes to a T; turn right; trailhead at end of road.
We'll hike the Pima canyon trailhead.
Either meet us there at 9 am or call to carpool.
Directions: head north on 1st ave until it comes to a T; turn right; trailhead at end of road.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Soul Lullaby
Next up is Soul Lullaby and hiking church.
On Friday, April 4, we launch Soul Lullaby. This Friday is also the 40th anniversary of the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. We'll remember MLK and the ongoing work of justice and racial equality through personal stories, conversation, and readings.
The candle-lit service will happen in the courtyard of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at sundown. It's located at 545 S. 5th Ave. You are invited to gather at 6:30. We'll begin with silence. After it's over there will be some light food and drinks available. Entrance is on 16th street. Look for the Luminaries.
The Soul Lullaby series will continue at least to next month's, first Friday, at sundown. On May 2, we'll honor the sacred feminine. Sundown on May 2 is 7:06, silent meditation will begin 30 minutes before. Also to be in the St. Andrew's Courtyard.
Starting this Sunday morning we are going to hike in Sabino Canyon and do church.
If you'd like to join us, meet at the Sabino Canyon welcome center map at 9 am. Kate will probably have her giant straw hat. So that will be hard to miss. We'll hike for about 30 minutes, find a shady, quiet spot and talk about the gospel reading for the day, share some communion, and hike back. We'll go to brunch afterward. We'd love for you to join us. We'll do this every Sunday morning through May 4.If you'd like to carpool to the site, email us: jointhelivingATgmailDOTcom. If you don't have a pass, the cost to get into the parking lot is $5.
And finally, a big thanks goes out to all the folks who made the Uprising happen and who came and participated. To me it was a quietly powerful experience to watch the moon arc over us all night, to talk about death around the fire, to hold bones, to walk the labyrinth by luminary light, spontaneously sing songs at first light and to remember to not be afraid. Life is stronger than death.
We look forward to inviting even more artists and musicians into the mix for next year. Thanks to Aldea, Cary from Icon, Church of the Apostles in Oro Valley, and music master, Fred Bevins for helping plan, set up and host. Thanks to St. Phillips who gave us a gift of $200 which we used to buy supplies and food for Uprising. It was truly a collaborative event, and we are already imagining ways to creatively expand things for next year: Easter 2009~April 12.
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