Today was our third meeting in the bamboo. We are a new outdoor worship service, in that regard. However, the Bamboo Encounter has been out on Facebook since January 2019, sharing uplifting quotes, verses, and photos to let people know it is here in the Chattanooga, TN area. Bamboo Encounter is also listed on the Wild Church Network website. That is how three of the 15 people found us yesterday and came to join us today inside the bamboo for worship.
I am still (happily) surprised that folks join me to worship Creator God in the bamboo each month. I never know who or how many are coming to join me and Riley. Though I did eventbrite tickets for the first month, I haven't done it again, simply for time reasons. I will try to get back to that though. It's not about who comes out to the bamboo. I know it's not about me and I say so, every time. It's about the Holy Spirit creating a space for us. I said "yes" and opened up the opportunity for others. Others are saying yes too. When others do say "yes" it is such a humbling and meaningful experience in the bamboo as we gather together to worship Creator God, to listen, and to share.
Today was a great experience, just as the other two months have been. There wasn't much of a breeze inside the bamboo today, so hand fans might have been nice (note to the leader) :). We did have lots of shade cover from the bamboo.
There were 15 total today in the bamboo, counting myself. I sign in, just like everyone else since I keep track of how many attend, in case I need to pay extra. Five of the 15 were first-timers today. That is pretty neat.
After we arrive and settle in from signing in and getting name tags, we spend a little time going over what is coming and then begin in silence. Today we could "check-in" on Facebook since I added the address. Yes, I asked folks to check in on social media. (Thanks to those who were able to do so!)
Today's opening prayer was similar to those I've used in the past, just modified slightly:
Creator God, as we come into the bamboo today, meet us where we are. We ask that you quiet our hearts, our minds, our souls, helping us to set aside all distractions and concerns. As we become silent in this space, speak to us in the quiet rustling of the leaves or in the singing of the bamboo. May we be open to your presence in this space through the silence, the spoken word, your creation, and one another. Amen. (DD-7/25/19)
Today's Scripture readings were from Isaiah 61:11 and Psalm 19:1:
Isaiah 61:11 (NAB)—(New American Bible)—“As the earth brings
forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD
make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.”
Psalm
19:1 (CEB)-- Heaven is declaring God’s glory;
the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
Then I shared a quote/reading from Leonardo Boff, a Brazilian theologian, that I had found in Earth Gospel, a great resource for outdoor churches or folks who love creation. (I've read a book on sacraments by Boff in the past and enjoyed his work. I recently picked up a creation book by him, but haven't read it yet.)
“Above all, we should see the creation
as the expression of God’s joy, as the dance of God’s love, as the mirror of
both God and all created things. In this
sense every creature is a messenger of God, and God’s representative as well as
sacrament. Everyone is worthy and is to
be accepted and listened to as such.” (173)
After these readings, we had a time of silence. After the time of silence, we had a time of sharing. During the sharing time, about a handful of people shared what the readings had spoken to them, or what they had heard in the silence, or why they had come. This time of sharing is a big part of our time together. It isn't mandatory. It is by invitation. Yet, it is this time of openness and sharing that we learn from one another. Next to the silence and sharing communion together, it's one of my favorite parts.
Today's communion Scripture came from 1 Corinthians 10:16-17:
1
Corinthians 10:16-17 Common English Bible (CEB)
16 Isn’t the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing
in the blood of Christ? Isn’t the loaf of bread that we break a sharing in the
body of Christ? 17 Since there is one loaf of bread, we who
are many are one body, because we all share the one loaf of bread.
After communion we sang "Alleluia" by Jerry Sinclair (1972). I like to keep the singing portions simple in the bamboo, mainly because I'm leading and we're singing acapella.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia,alleluia, alleluia.
We closed with a blessing from the Iona Community that we said together. I found it in Earth Gospel too, page 81:
Bless to us, O God,
the moon that is above us,
the earth that is beneath us,
the friends who are around us,
your image deep within us,
Amen.
To those who were able to make it to the bamboo today, thank you for joining me to worship Creator God today. For those who couldn't make it today, I hope to see you next time. For those who haven't made it yet, we meet every 4th Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the bamboo patch on the hill at Reflection Riding. Check out the event pages on the Bamboo Encounter Facebook page for more information (as well as the posts there and brochure).
Enjoy these additional pictures from today's Bamboo Encounter.
See you in the bamboo,
Debra
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