The work of creating community. As Christians, we believe the Spirit is constantly drawing us together and toward deepening relationship with each other and with God as revealed in Jesus Christ. But it is up to us to allow community building to happen and to nourish its growth. Last Sunday during our Rogation procession, I was once again reminded of one of the great gifts of Emmanuel--a large, vibrant and engaged contingent of elders. See some procession photos here.
As our inter-generational parade made its way around the outside edges of the Emmanuel property, we offered prayers of intercession and thanksgiving; intercessions for ourselves, our community, the growing season and thanksgiving for the beauty and bounty of our churchyard and all of creation. The children "beat the bounds" (you have to see it get it!) and the elders read from scripture and also told some of Emmanuel's own sacred story (the story of faithful Emmanuel people and their trust in God and the work they were given in growing a church.
This past year, the staff (and particularly Arienne) have worked hard to carve out at least one Sunday a month when the adults and children were able to at least begin to pray and sing together at 10:30. The children's choir sang on those Sundays, we usually had a children's sermon and the prayers of the people were those used during Children's Chapel. We also did a little teaching about the Eucharist.
It was a beginning, these Inter-generational Sundays. We must continue to find ways to engage our children and teens in our liturgical life. More acolytes, more choir members, more chalice bearers, more lectors, ushers and greeters. Not to keep them quiet, but to make sure they are learning about reverence, about mystery, and to get a weekly glimpse of what the psalmist must have dreamed of in Psalm 133: Oh how good and pleasant it is, when brothers and sisters live together in unity! For at least an hour on Sunday, we gather as a community to embody that vision of God's reign.
Of course, with more opportunity comes more responsibility. So we will work with all our children to remind them that we do this work together and that we respect others by not walking in or out while someone is reading lessons or leading prayers. We'll talk about when to stand, when to kneel, when to sit quietly listening, or perhaps reading one of the books in the basket or drawing.
Building and rebuilding and growing multi-generational communities is not easy work. We get in each other's way sometimes or on each other's nerves. But it is work that I and many others are convinced that we are called to do. I invite your comments about that here on this blog or in conversation around the church. In Christ, Hunt+ (p.s. If you didn't look at those Rogation photos, go back up and click the link.)