join the conversation
embracing restoration
re-engaging WHOLENESS - the big story
Last night we stepped back into our journey through the Big Story. Our purpose has been to venture into the waters of the Bible as Story. For months now we’ve been challenging the idea that the all to prevalent “version” of the God Story is told as a kind of cliff-notes summation of the Story. If we are to bottom line the importance—it would often be FALL - you are jacked, broken, no good; followed by REDEMPTION - get unjacked and receive the promise of eternal life with God. This is the story so many have heard, told, and understood God to be authoring.But it’s simply the anemic version of the story. It’s limited. Therefore, it feeds an entirely anemic picture of God, creation, and life as we know it.
This blog will be a location to continue to build on our view of full Story—and let’s be honest, any way that we write it will still be a limited version. So humility must be put on. We are on a journey—and we’ll rework this as long as we are breathing, I pray.
Also, God and His Story is too wonderful for full explaination on the digital pages of this or any blog—too wide sweeping for any category that you or I feel comfortable with—and to real-world experiential to be bound by language and thought. But we’ll try to do our best. And we’ll use many great minds, many controversial explainations, many people far ahead of us to quote and build upon. We’ll be processing the story in the midst of silence/surrendering/centering prayer, ancient readings, imaginative/ignatian meditations, and many other practices that tenderize our heart/mind/soul/body to be AWARE of God. We’ll allow HOSPITALITY and SOLIDARITY to/among the poor, the creative, the hurting, and those living with a deep sense of “there must be more” to also shape our AWARENESS of God. We’ll be living out our context—our “wiki-stories” (Scot McKnight describes) as God’s Story in us. The context in which we work out our understanding of The Big Story is unique–and if we cannot work it out in our day-to-day ordinary (yet soaked with sacredness) lives—then we won’t truly see His Story as ongoing. It will be merely bound by pages–and we’re back to a far too limited version.
But, before moving ahead—last night, we broached some questions—they became telling of our location in the journey, as a community, to our willingness to be open to a larger story, one that begins and ends with greater implication than FALL/REDEMPTION. The Story we are wrestling with includes CREATION / FALL / REDEMPTION / RESTORATION. These are the questions we engaged:
* Which story looks like the one God is telling?
FALL - REDEMPTION or CREATION - FALL - REDEMPTION - RESTORATION* What Lens are you looking at life through (F/R or C/F/R/R)?
* What can you imagine the difference to look like in seeing our world through F/R or through a lens of CFRR?
* Is the “choice” over the two stories mere semantics?
* Where does your faith (following Jesus) matter most—now, or one day?
* Which “version” of following Jesus do you think our world is most hungry for—-the now or the one day?
* Where does your faith (following Jesus) matter most—now, or one day?
* How do we live as a community reflecting the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration story?
* What would it mean for us to see the Plaza District—vulnerable families, the questioning/expressing artists, the displaced and “under-celebrated”, those longing to make a difference in the world – through a lens of CFRR? And what does it mean for us to live, rethink, reform our language and lives to a CFRR kind of perspective?
My Year In Review - Flickr
Go to the Flickr site for images from last Sunday’s “My Year in Review” stations.http://www.flickr.com/photos/fusionokc/sets/72157623035667587/
www.flickr.com
convergence:OKC’s My Year in Review 01-03-2010 photoset Pondering the Great Arrival
As you use Imaginative Meditation to enter the scene Engage Advent Booklet . . . keep in mind the way Mary saw things taking place before her. ”She pondered these things in her heart.” Are you taking in all of life? Are you willing to be present in your day? Do you see God’s nearness in the day?Luke 2: About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
STORY: Advent week 4
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figure:
JOHN the Baptist
READ: Mark chapter 1:1-15 – “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare Your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’John was actively waiting—as the forerunner to Jesus.
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see John the Baptist as a figure of waiting? * In what ways do her actions reflect the Messiah’s coming?STORY: Advent Week 03
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:figure three: ESTHER
READ: Esther chapter 4 - (Mordecai) “ . . . For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” EstherEsther had risen to influence—but her influence was of no use without obedient action. Esther pleas for the life of her people, the Jews.
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Esther as a figure of waiting?
* How does Esther’s plea foreshadow Christ’s incarnation on behalf of humanity?figure three: HOSEA
READ: Hosea chapter 1-3 – “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry, and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the Lord.”Hosea is the very picture of God’s unfailing, unending love in his husbandry of Gomer.
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Hosea as a figure of waiting? * In what ways do his actions reflect the Messiah’s coming?STORY: Advent Week 02
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:figure two: MOSES
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
Moses was born into privilege, but took a step of humility by exiting the Pharoah’s household in order to be with his people—the Jews, who were in slavery. Moses took the obedient steps God laid before him—even to the point of being a picture of salvation to the people—leading them in the mass exodus from Egypt.
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Moses as a figure of waiting?
* How does Moses actions foreshadow the Messiah’s coming?figure three: RUTH
Ruth had entered a new culture by marriage. Upon her husbands death—she had every right to return to the culture she found home in—the gods, the language, and the location. Ruth spoke the words of great loyalty to her mother in law—“where you go, I will go . . .” (Ruth 1).
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Ruth as a figure of waiting?
* In what ways do her actions reflect the Messiah’s coming?figure one: CALEB
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “We should by all means go p and take possession of land, for we shall surely overcome it . . . the land which we passed through to spay out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord and do not fear the people of the land for they shall be our prey . . .” Num. 13
Caleb and Joshua saw a different reality for the community’s future than any of the others who saw the promised land. Their report was one of faith—believing that there was something else that God was doing—something beyond their ability and beyond their rationale. The road ahead was both promised but overwhelming, fulfilling but sacrificial.
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* In what ways is your life (and the communities life) adding up to more than the “typical” of society?
* How do you see a reality that is defined by obedience, service, generosity, love, and faith rather than autonomy, security, personal provision, and self-centered living?
* How do you see Caleb as a figure of waiting?plan to join us for adventus FRI 7p @convergence
http://www.vimeo.com/8008986Saint Nicholas Traditions…
This year, consider baking some traditional Saint Nicholas cookies (or your own favs) and share with your neighbors. We are posting a link to some “Saint Nicholas Tradition” tags for you to print and use to write notes to your neighbors.RECIPE:Mix in order:1 cup shortening2 cups white sugar4 eggs whole3/4 tsp salt2 tsp baking powder4 cups flour4tsp cinnamon2 tsp allspice2 tsp nutmeg2 tsp ginger2 tsp clovesAfter mixing the dough, turn onto a floured board. Knead in about one cup additional flour or as much as you need until dough is no longer sticky and is easy to handle.
Put into a plastic bag and refrigerate until chilled and stiff. Then you are ready to roll out and cut the cookies. Cut off a manageable piece and keep the rest cool until you are ready for more. Roll the dough thinly and cut into shapes. Thin cookies are the tastiest.Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.And a little something about the reason:“Nicholas was an early Christian saint, Bishop of Myra in Turkey, who lived around the 4th century CE. In legend he became famous for his acts of charity for people in his city, most of which were performed in secret. This holiday season, consider the ways in which you can carry on this spirit of giving.”LINK FOR CARDS: CARDS TO PRINTSTORY: Advent Week 01
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:figure one: ADAM & EVE
Adam and Eve were created to enjoy an intimate life with God living in Eden, where work was productive and every need was cared for by God (Genesis 2). After choosing to disobey God, there was no longer the same intimacy with God—nor could they stay in Eden (Genesis 3 esp. 3:22-24).
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Adam and Eve as figures of waiting?
* How do you think they might have spoken about their former days in Eden? How does this life speak to our deepest longings?figure two: NOAH
“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:7
Noah was faithful to God and he heard both the promise and judgment of God. He obeyed God’s instruction and found God faithful to His promise, saving his family and creation (Genesis 6-8).
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Noah as a figure of waiting?
* How does the ark foreshadow the salvation to come with the Messiah?figure three: ABRAHAM
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going . . . for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8, 10
A command to leave his country was no small thing—it was the only life Abraham and his fathers had known. Abraham obeyed, continuing on in a life directed by God (Genesis 12:1-9).
* In what ways do you inhabit this story through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Abraham as a figure of waiting?
* How does his going out speak to the life in which we live as those who wait
again for His coming?figure one: SARAH
“By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised;”
Sarah wasn’t physically fit to bear children—she was over eighty years old. And yet, God had promised. Laughing was her response—what would yours be in light of God promising the impossible? Is it salvation to your weary, isolated, sin soaked life? Messiah comes through in the right moment (kairos) that we might find ourselves the weakest—while seeing God in light of his infinite faithfulness.
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Sarah as figures of waiting?
* How have you found tension in waiting upon God? How might your story be an encouragement to others?snapshot ahead of community life during this Advent
Come back to the blog for more details each week on the community focus each week on The Voice = the prophets speaking about the coming Messiah; Rhythm = a weekly emphasis; Story = figures of waiting to consider . . .
NOV29: First Sunday of Advent
the gathering @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Isaiah 61
RHYTHM: Adopting Rethread Families (see Daran)
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah
see blog for reading detailsDEC06: Second Sunday of Advent
the gathering @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Zeph. 3:14-20
RHYTHM: Saint Nicholas Cookies (see blog)
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: Moses, Ruth, Caleb
see blog for reading detailsDEC11: Adventus Art Show @ 7p
DEC13: Third Sunday of Advent
community meal @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Micah 5:1-5
RHYTHM: Shared Table
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: David, Esther, Hosea, John the Baptist
see blog for reading detailsDEC20: Fourth Sunday of Advent
the gathering @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Mal. 3:1-4
RHYTHM: Reflect & Share “Open Mic”
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: Luke 2
see blog for reading detailsCHRISTMAS EVE DEC24: News of the Arrival
details on gathering together TBACHRISTMAS DEC25: Pondering the Arrival (Mary: The Magnificant)
consider the reading provided via the blogDEC27: The Subversive Nature of the Arrival
the gathering @ 5pmJAN03: My Year in Review Stations
stations [come and go] between 5:00 - 6:30pthe treasure of the church
when i think about what the church of the last several decades has regarded as its treasure, the things of value that it has to share with those outside, two things come to mind.first, in my opinion we have long misread the parables jesus shared about the treasure (what he referred to as the kingdom) that one should forsake all to search after. we have somehow connected the priceless treasure to some no-cost, ethereal afterlife full of pretty, happy, perfect people. attractive in some ways, but a treasure with no cost?? and what connection does that have to my family, my job, my neighbor, the suffering guy on the side of the road i try so hard to ignore everyday?
second, we have invested millions in “attractional” buildings complete with restaurants, workout facilities, and even well-paid staffs to tell us exactly what we should believe (knowing we will never figure that out on our own), to make sure we are practiced up on latest marketing models (b/c honestly we’ve trying to sell something that is of little interest to most people anyway), and to do all of the real work for us, so we don’t have to adjust or give up anything in our own lives (except for those not-so-pretty habits like smoking, drinking, or having homosexual friends…you know those things are not kosher with the perfect afterlife we’re trying to sell).
i’ve had tons of ideas for what kind of “treasure” is of true value to someone living this god-life pounded into my head or even dreamed up in my own, but never thought of this (SEE THE YOUTUBE VID BELOW) as the true treasure of the church.
as i joined in with rethread today, this video and idea was very fresh on my mind. there were several times during the afternoon, where i kind of pulled back from the sometimes craziness of the store to observe what was really going on. i thought of the recent (and not so recent) financial struggles within our community. why would god not “bless” a community who trying to honestly pursue life with him?
when jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” i’ve always thought about the idea of not focusing on material things so much. but at rethread today, i could not get my mind off of the real treasure of our community…our often desperate and hurting neighbors and friends in and around the plaza. i believe our convergence community is finding our treasure in them, and our hearts are following. i am so grateful to be so rich with our usually-neglected neighbors…the real treasure of our church!
the limited nature of singularity
consider Rollins push back against a singular voice. what do you think? how does the parable challenge or encourage the way forward for convergence as community effort.
essentials = donuts and shared life
as a community - convergence continues to be shaped by a heart to ‘embrace restoration through hospitality, solidarity, and awareness.’ a part of that restoration is sharing life - not being an organization or a hierarchy or an effort of only a few. a sense of ‘one another’ - carrying for, bearing burdens of, serving, . . . it all paints the picture of each other investing life in the community.take a look at Peter Rollins thoughts on sharing life . . . the donut — may very well be a vital “image” of leadership.
What stands out in these ideas?
Community [Thanksgiving] Meal 11/15 @ 5pm
Come join the Community [Thanksgiving] Meal for the Plaza District group. Contribute by bringing a favorite dish!
Convergence House Churches bring the following dishes:
* SHEPHERD - main dishes
* VENICE - dessert dishes
* GATEWOOD - side dishesRETHREAD Coats 11/22
The RETHREAD Coats store is Sunday November 22 from 2 - 4pm. You can play a role in this care for our neighborhood . . .* DONATIONS - Please begin collecting coats for the store (coat, hats, gloves)
* VOLUNTEER - Check out ways to volunteer on Sunday 11/22convergence: a *community* effort
Last night we shared news of some changes regarding community life with convergence. We’re making adaptations to our structure - so we might best *TOGETHER* “embrace restoration through awareness, hospitality, and solidarity.”A part of this adaptation means we need to make further plans to share the effort. If you are interested in taking on more responsibility within this community effort - please email and request information on the PLANNING MEETING on November 16th 6:30p.
Mission: power manifested in the insignificant, dependent, the small. “In the degree that people and communities are rich, self-satisfied, and proud of their competence and power, and want to do things that they know they are capable of doing, then they can no longer be instruments of the life of God. They give what they have, which is their self-satisfaction.” - Jean Vanier
ADVENTUS: Calling Artists!
Preparations for ADVENTUSOKC are underway. I hope you will each consider contributing to this new project intended to enhance, deepen, and confront us all with the ADVENT reality. What is it that HOPE has come after so much waiting? What is it to us that the LIGHT is invading our city today? What will it be to the world that the ONE is destined to return?
ADVENTUS is a city-wide art collaborative responding to the themes of Advent. The life of this collaborative will be documented via blog - and the exposure of this collaborative will come to light in many ways, mainly in an ARTSHOW scheduled for LIVE! on the Plaza at Convergence on December 11 from 7-11pm.
find out more at www.adventusokc.com
follow on twitter at www.twitter.com/adventusokc
Human Trafficking
At last night’s Creative World Justice Gathering, we introduced a new justice issue, Human Trafficking, that we are going to be addressing. If you weren’t able to make it out last night, I’ll try to give a brief summary of some what was discussed. The issue of Human Trafficking, and in particular Sex Trafficking, is one that is quickly growing in attention, though there has been little progress made in our country (and even less in our state and city).What is it? Human Trafficking (HT) is the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery, debt bondage, and servitude. There are an estimated 27 million people around the world living in slave-like conditions. HT is an extremely lucrative business with revenues in the tens of billions, greater than the combined revenues of Nike, Google, and Starbucks. That’s hard to even imagine!
Who are the victims? The victims are often from our most vulnerable populations (runaways, refugees, aliens). Approx 70% are female and 50% children. The ages being demanded for sex trafficking are getting younger and younger, with an average entry age of 12 and an overall average of 14. There is also a growing demand for disgruntled middle class white children via online chatrooms. Follow the link to a short video about a girl who came out of this life: “Candace’s Story.”
Who is demanding it? 99% of the demand is created for men. 90% for white men.
Where is it happening? Basically everywhere! Almost every country serves as either a Source, Transit, and/or Destination. An est 50,000 victims are trafficking into or through the US each year. The USA is the #1 destination for child sex trafficking. And, YES, it is happening in Oklahoma City. OKC is at the crossroads of four of the primary trafficking cities (Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Atlanta). Watch a clip from a new documentary “Playground.”
What is being done? Very little. Only a handful of shelters nationwide, none in OK. Oklahoma law enforcement, social services, health care, and mental health workers are mostly untrained to deal with victims. Only one (most unenforceable) state law on trafficking.
Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans (OATH). We are connecting with a grassroots organization that started in Tulsa and is just getting their start here in OKC. The list of potential activities is huge: from Awareness Campaigns to Research to Outreach…the list is long. Mark Elam told me that basically whatever we dream up and want to do, we can.
How can YOU get involved? We are going to continue the conversation in our monthly CWJ Gatherings. But for those who really want to get involved, we are planning to meet for a few minutes prior (at 6:00PM) to the monthly OATH Meetings (2nd Tues of every month at the United Way at the SE corner of NW 28th & McKinley) to begin to brainstorm our part in addressing this issue.
If you have any interest in being a part of the CWJ response to human trafficking in OKC, please let me know. I would love to chat over lunch or coffee sometime soon! Call (405.694.8562) or email me (gary@convergenceokc.org).
Gary Caplinger
this is what it means…
This is a poem we used last night at the CWJ Gathering. I think it really summarizes, in so many ways, where we are moving as a community and how we are discovering that we can really encounter God among the Stranger, the Tortured, the Wretched, the Abandoned, and the Fatherless ones. Alicia helped us discover the important truth that when we welcome, sit beside, bathe, bear up, and raise up the least, “that we are offered the grace to heal the suffering of our King.” I have pictured more and more recently how in serving the suffering, we are literal serving Jesus. But to heal the suffering of our King? Are we in some ways bringing healing to The Suffering Servant? I’d love to hear some response to that idea…“Don’t palm me off with your civil religion and your politely murmured prayers,
don’t hand me your filthy mammon or your barns of laundered cash.Don’t flatter me with your pious words catechisms so crisp and clean.
I hate your victory chants in praise of what I’m not:
your oh so personal idol, middle class and mute.But I am not silent to those with ears to hear:
I weep, I groan, I scream, and I am so weary
of your all too clever words your rituals and your rhymes;
your meaningless slick tokens of power-point and song.So once more I’m going to tell you (if you really want to hear),
now this is what it means, now this is what it means to know me:Go love the Hungry One with whom you must share your bread,
go welcome The Stranger who soils your silken bed,
go sit still beside the Tortured One and hear his anguished cries,
go bathe the disfigured, Wretched One caress His weeping skin,
bear up the abused, Abandoned One bent beneath Her grief,
raise up the Fatherless One eating scraps from beneath your feet,for this is what it means, for this is what it means to know me.
Look! to those with eyes to see
I hide my face, buried broken in the bodies of the least,
and offer you the grace to heal the suffering of your King,
for this is what it means, this is what it means,
this is what it means to know me.”by Kristin Jack (Servants Asia Coordinator)
inspired by Jer 22:13-17; Isa 1:1-20; 58:1-14; Amos 5:21-24; Mat 25:31-46
Creative World Justice: Human Trafficking
Tonight 5pm at Convergence will be our first Creative World Justice Gathering. I just wanted to send out a note to let you know that the content of the conversation will be of a very adult matter. I would highly recommend that you let our amazing Sparks workers take care of all of your kiddos tonight, due to the subject matter (Human Trafficking). It is a heavy subject for which I am continually praying God will show us how we are best equipped to respond.Please share your thoughts from the evening…
Conversation: Wholeness (continued)
@ the gathering (5pm most sundays) - we’ve been exploring NARRATIVE. More than just any story, THE BIG STORY that, we believe, is worth tying our life to. It’s the story of WHOLENESS - the story of the way things are and the way things are meant to be. We, as a part of creation, are really experiencing the tension—at all times.last week, we talked through this idea that we, humanity, are all IKONS of God - reflections of God. He has made us to be drawn toward building, creating, naming, engineering - this reflects Him. When we engage these through love/benevolence and creativity—we are perpetuating this God-reflective work He began in creation. However, when we engage these through self-preservation, isolation, and competition - we are perpetuating the wreckage that moves us further from God. We’re building, creating, naming people - no matter what. But, if we destroy or curse or attempt to gain power over others - in turn, dehumanizing others and destroying creation - we participate in fracturing of life as we know it.
But we’re meant for restoration, we’re meant for love. we’re meant for wholeness.
Community Meal
just a following up to our community meal . . .
What a great night! We had such great neighborhood participation - that we were literally out of chairs. As i think about all that we’ve been processing this summer - regarding our embracing restoration through HOSPITALITY, SOLIDARITY, and AWARENESS - i feel like we are seeing our efforts to be more embedded in the neighborhood paying off. I pray that our city (now and one day) will be and is better off because we are a people willing to gather out of LOVE for God and LOVE of our City!
By the way - we’re doing the next COMMUNITY MEAL soon - check the calendar for dates.
community meal for the neighborhood this sunday @5pm
The Neighborhood is invited for a COMMUNITY MEAL this Sunday, September 27th @ 5pm. If you are apart of a convergence house church - bring the following:SCRIVNER’S = side dish
CAPLINGER’S = main dish
ADAM’S = dessert dishotherwise, BRING YOUR FAVORITE DISH + the appropriate utensil
FūD begins!!!
If you missed out on fūd this Friday WE’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK! Every Friday from 7-9a will be our opensource community meal.Check out this weeks pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fusionokc/sets/72157622404218722/RETHREAD needs volunteers!
PLEASE SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE…
Hello everyone,I want to begin by thanking those of you who have already signed up to volunteer in various capactiy for re:threads. We are so thankfful for your williness to help out!We are still in HUGE need of more volunteers. I know many of you plan to volunteer but becasue you are still corrdinating your schedule etc., you have have not yet actually signed up via the form that was sent out. If at all possible we need you to sign up asap. We are just a little over 1 week from the store and really need to have some firm volunteer numbers as soon as possible. Right now we still need around 10 people who can help with sorting this Saturday (September 19th) from 10am - 1pm. We also need people for next weekend (both Friday night and Saturday). As of today we have less than half the number of volunteers that we need for those two days.Even if you can make it for a certain block of time we can still use you. For example, if you can just come this Saturday for 1 or 2 hours we would still love to have you. Just make a note in the “Comments” section letting us know what you can do. Also, please feel free to forward the sign up form to anyone (friends, co-workers etc.) that you think might be interested in volunteering. We would love for them to get involved!Thanks again to all of you for all of the ways you have helped. We appreciate it so much.Sincerely,Daran and Rachelle FreundRETHREAD volunteers needed
www.flickr.com
convergence:OKC’s THREADS (april2009) photoset
Sign up to be apart of the greatness that is RETHREAD. Check out http://www.rethreadokc.com for more info.GO TO THE RETHREAD VOLUNTEER SIGN UP FORM
WHOLENESS: unframing the story of restoration
We are two weeks in on our conversation to explore the STORY OF RESTORATION in Scripture. Taking the Biblical Story in it’s entirety gives us this overall sense that life is more than an escape routine from potential damnation - but life is truly meant to recapture what we’ve been made for. What have we been made for? What has all of creation been made for? WHOLENESS. A connectedness to each other, the earth, and to God that isn’t jacked—that isn’t perpetuating a deep and devastating wreckage.
So, if our life is a story (and it is).
Do we or don’t we tie our life into a Grand Narrative? Why? or Why not?
If we believe in a Big Story that speaks to meaning, purpose, and existence - how is it not simply a way to manipulate power? How is it not simply a mocking our current world, in it’s tragedy, violence, sickness, poverty, and death? How is it not a perpetuation of ‘the american dream’? Can it exist in the realm of “real life” rather than “theory?”
fall awareness retreat sign up
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convergence:OKC’s RETREAT(spring2009) photoset Sign up for the FALL AWARENESS RETREAT
Mark your calendars, OCTOBER 9, 10, 11 we are returning to the Monastery for the Fall Awareness Retreat is a community approach to silence and spiritual practices. It will be a casual atmosphere with the majority of the time given for you to spend alone in silence, reading, praying, imaging, and creating. While we will also engage in some group practices and our usual shared dialogue. Sign up & invite a friend!
FRIDAY 7-8PM - arrival
*gate closes soon after 8:00pm
FRIDAY 9PM - welcome/snacks
SATURDAY - retreat
SUNDAY 10:30AM - departRemember, this retreat is for anyone interested - feel free to invite and bring a friend.
fūd this friday 7-9am in the plaza district
fūd - an opensource community meal begins this friday. we like to think of this as a meal together, not a serving posture of one person and a getting served posture of another. we see this a an emerging opportunity for everyone to get fed AND get to know one another.
“If you can COOK, COOK . . . If you can EAT, EAT!”
So, come down to the sidewalk in front of Convergence between 7-9am and bring some extra breakfast for yourself and others. We’ll share what we bring and enjoy either a few quick minutes OR an hour together.
MAKING fūd gūd: *clean up what you bring, *return what you move, *bring “blissware” (plastic cup, bowl, plate, etc), *have fun!
missio: restoration through awareness (*prep question)
This coming Sunday (August 16) - we’ll be answering the question . . .Missio - engaging restoration through AWARENESS
What are you seeing when you imagine a community engaging restoration in the plaza district and in your world?Please spend some time this week in prayer - considering this question. You are encouraged to take some time in contemplative practices - surrendering prayer/imaginative prayer (see any of the pdf resources “writings” for more contemplative practice information).“Maybe God is waiting for us to be silent long enough so he may begin painting a new picture in our imaginations, to begin transforming our image of a manageable deity into one that can truly inspire.” - Skye Jethani
Plaza District
Check out the latest in the Plaza District!
writings:
others:
* Awaken Retreat (Spring 09)
* Metanoina: forty days (Lent) to face a fundamental shift
* Community Is . . .
* My Year In Review 2008
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books we are reading
Making Room by Christine Pohl
EXILES by Michael Frost
Compassion by Henri Nouwen
Synchronicity by Jaworski
Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture
Take This Bread by Sara Miles
To Be Told by Dan Allender
Static by Ron Martoia
The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle
Living in the Presence by Tilden Edwards
Sadhana: A Way to God by Anthony de Mello
Saving the Appearances by Owen Barfield
Signs of Emergence by Kester Brewen
Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren
Divine Intervention by Tony Jones
Community and Growth: Our Pilgrimage Together by Jean Vanier
Created for Community by Stanley Grenz
From Stone to Living Word
The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture
Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel
The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani
The Great Giveaway by David Fitch