When we started working on
what were going to be the unique dimensions
of this new community,
we focused on going back to the roots of faith.
Worship life in the New Testament
belonged to the people.
In ecumenical work with Catholics,
I had learned that liturgy means "the work of the people"
and includes images, beauty, and ritual
that enhance what is said.
A real call for me has been to create liturgical elements
that feed us as much as sermons.
Early on we saw the communion table as a table of life
and devoted much attention to including
art pieces,
constructions,
nature objects -
anything we could think of to
help people connect deeply with the liturgical theme.
Several questions are in my mind
as I help to choose themes and reflection paragraphs,
write prayers and litanies, and
create the altar each week.
Do our worship expressions have theological integrity?
How is the pastoring, the prophetic, the theological
dimension of Christian faith expressed?
Do the words, silence, music, and images engage a variety of our senses?
Is our worship not only nourishing and comforting,
but empowering as well?
Is there a flow and a beauty that evoke
for different people on different days
a deepening of their links with the
transcendent, the mystery, and the power
that the Old and New Testament story seeks to impart?
How does worship link us to the world
beyond ourselves?
I am always aware of the Sunday worship throughout the week.
My own quiet time, world events, experiences of our people -
all these flow into this unique experience
we have each week as a whole community,
being present to each other and the world
in the presence of God.