Goodness Weekly 3.6.23
“If Light Is In Your Heart
You Will Find Your Way Home.”
― Rumi
This Week:
We have some fun things happening this week for our families!
Youth Group:
Starting off with our Youth Group Wednesday night, our teens will be serving the children of Camelot through Snack Pak deliveries, which helps provide meals for food-insecure elementary-aged kids. Meet at the Charis Collective at 7pm to join!
Children’s Family Dinner:
On Thursday we invite families of young children to gather in the Fellowship Hall for Children’s Family Dinner! This is a space to gather around the table with your family and other young families in this community. There will be activities and intentional conversation cards to encourage your spiritual growth as a family! Meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30pm to join!
Second Saturday:
This Saturday is our monthly Second Saturday Storytime! All families are welcome to gather on the front lawn for a story, games, and the celebration of spring. Meet on the front lawn at 10:00am to join!
What’s Good:
Lots of exciting things are around the corner for our community!
We will soon be opening our rebranded coffee trailer, with the grand opening set for Saturday, March 25th. We’re busy finalizing the menu, outfitting the trailer, and getting the logistics in place.
Additionally, we are so close to breaking ground on our new neighborhood park across the street. We’re still waiting on the City of San Antonio to finalize the plat process and once that’s complete we will be ready to go!
Message from Jess:
Topophilia.
Is it:
A. The love of Topo Chico
B. The love of maps
C. The love of place
If you guessed A then, yes, I would be a topophile with you, but the correct answer is actually C.
I first saw this word on a wine bottle. It’s the name of a small vineyard in Sonoma that believes in the love of the land and the people of the community. The word topophilia struck me as I had been trying to put language to something that happened in me during our Ash Wednesday service.
Back in 2011 our friend and longtime children’s minister Jonna Rosas called my husband Nathan and me to come and assist her in teaching the 3rd and 4th grade Sunday school class. Ms. Jonna set up a special prayer path for the children in the Chapel—the mysterious and beautiful space that was only opened for such occasions as this. I remember feeling so moved as I stood in the nave of the chapel under the beautiful stained glass River of Life window and shared a special communion meal with the children.
During this recent Ash Wednesday service, as I stood in the same place with my ministry partner Chelsea, I was reminded of that moment back in 2011 and the significance it had in my life. I held the glass chalice of juice and remembered all of the times I had seen that cup in the hands of our beloved Janet Ihfe, whom our community lost this fall to cancer.
Standing in this one place I was both present and connected to the people who have made it special. While our chapel has always been a place of extraordinary beauty, without the people, it’s just a building. It is the people who create the magic—the special moments of connection in their eyes, the warmth of a smile, or the moment when they are moved to tears by a song or word. It is the people who make a place home; and it is their story and the memory that keeps it alive.
I think that’s why the mission of this small winery and their love of place touched me—they recognize that it is both about the land and the people.
I am so grateful for the beautiful place I call my home—our church, its courtyard, the trees, and the chapel…but without the people, it’s only a pretty building.
I wonder what those special places are for you? If you have the opportunity this week, I invite you to consider visiting one, either in person or in memory. If you’re able, perhaps you could share a story of your special place with someone, too.
Love, Jess
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, March 8th, 7:00pm Youth Group Snack Pak delivery!
Thursday, March 9th, 5:30pm Children’s Family Dinner in the Fellowship Hall
Saturday, March 11th, 10:00am Second Saturday Storytime
Sunday, March 12th, 4:30pm Chapel Worship & Liturgy
Friday, March 24th, 6-9pm Parent’s Night Out! Click Here to sign up
Saturday, March 25th Coffee Trailer Grand Opening!
Saturday, March 25th, details tba Young Adult Group
Inhale:
Help me to be present in the place where I am today
Exhale:
And let it be love that stays when I leave
