Goodness Weekly 10.31.22
“To live will be an awfully big adventure.”― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
What’s Good:
Jess is back from Sabbatical! She’s spent a month doing deep work under the guidance of a sabbatical coach and was encouraged to explore a variety of different kinds of rest. During her time away several themes emerged including playfulness, creativity, slowness, release, sabbath, wonder, nature, breath, and tenderness. I know these will influence the shape of our community moving forward and I am personally looking forward to learning from what Jess learned while she was away.
— Taylor Bates
Message from Jess:
I wonder if you have a season of the year, or certain sounds, sights, or smells of that season that stir up fond childhood memories? Perhaps you can recall a special time and relive the joy right now in this very moment.
For me, this season is fall. The smells of pumpkin and cider, the changing leaves, the cooler air, the warmth of the sun—I remember the smell and sound of crushing leaves, of football games and chili, of running around the neighborhood with pillowcases full of candy at Halloween.
I have always loved Halloween, for more than just the candy trades I had with my brother Josh on the living room floor after trick or treating. Even as an adult I feel an unabashed invitation to play and create on Halloween that remains dormant other times of the year.
Can you recall the last time you played? As children we know play is our work—it forms and shapes who we will become. I spent most of my childhood playing in the woods, imagining my own forest home, or building a shelter out of sticks and brush, and in the course of an afternoon I could visit any place my imagination desired to go. Each day was filled with wondrous joy, and every morning I couldn’t wait to get back out into this magical world.
In her book The Gift of Wonder: Creative practices for delighting in God, author Christine Sine writes:
“Play may be God’s greatest gift to humankind. It’s how we form friendships, learn skills, and master difficult things that help us survive. Play is a release valve for stress, and an outlet for creativity. Above all, play is how we bond with each other.”
There are many interpretations of the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:3–unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Perhaps, alongside the others, we could see an invitation to encounter God through the wonder of creativity and play. When we play we experience joy, we are present, we are curious and light—all things that are rooted in goodness. If you are unsure if God has a playful side, you can start by looking at God’s creation to see animals like the sloth, the okapi, or the pink-fairy armadillo.
Tonight as our neighborhoods fill with knights, ghosts, princesses, and the myriad of other creative and magical creatures that show up knocking at the door, may we be reminded of the wonder of being human and accept the joy that comes along with it.
Each day this week I invite you to take a few moments to seek joy. This may be watching a funny video that makes you laugh, playing with your child or grandchild, chatting with a best friend, looking at some beautiful bit of God’s creation, or turning up your favorite song and dancing in the living room. Whatever it is, let’s remember how to play.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, November 6th, 4:30pm Supper Church
Wednesday, November 2nd, 7:30pm Youth Group at The Webbs
Saturday, November 12th, 9:30am-11am Family Morning
Sunday, November 13th, 4:30pm Chapel Worship & Liturgy
Morning:
This morning let me accept your invitation to wonder
I’ve taken myself so seriously that I have left out
space for joy, for play, for laughter, and lightness
Help me be aware of my part in spreading love in the world,
and may it start by accepting the love you have for me
Through your love I let go of the things
that keep me from living freely and lightly
And with open hands I say
Welcome
Welcome
Welcome
Today.
Amen.
Evening:
As I take a deep breath in tonight,
I exhale the tensions of the day
I breathe in your presence and love,
and exhale the things that are not mine to carry
Remind me of the ways I witnessed your presence today
Forgive me the ways I did not act in love or kindness
As I breathe tonight, help me bring my awareness
to your grace and mercy
and with each breath
my heart whispers
Thank you.
Amen.
