making space in advent

My good seminary friend Mark visited me in Philly a couple of Sundays ago.  He came to worship at BSM Sunday evening.  When I told him that we are now setting up dinner tables in the sanctuary immediately following worship, he responded with a look of realization "Of COURSE you do!  Of course you eat in the same place that you worship." 

Mark helped me realize that I had been taking these amazing moments for granted.  Over the past few weeks, we've been able to move all our meals upstairs to the sanctuary (thanks to removing of pews and re-finishing of a gorgeous floor).  The mood of the meals and the hospitality of the place has been AMAZING.  Beyond this is the deep theological significance my friend Mark helped me realize.  Table fellowship with people who are hungry and tired from being seen as less than human is a powerful experience.  Sharing food and conversation with people in need of both is truly a worshipful moment, and rightfully belongs in a SPACE such as a sanctuary.

Space is a funny thing.  We often dismiss its importance, placing emphasis on people instead.  Whereas the latter should always have priority, perhaps we should not always be so dismissive of the importance of space.  The environment we create gives a message.  What is our message?

We've been using our newly designed space a LOT over the past week.  Here's a recap:

TUESDAY, we hosted World AIDS Day at BSM.  The space was used for a meal, performances, and speakers, all recognizing the travesty of AIDS in our communities and the importance in taking action to promote awareness and support.  

WEDNESDAY, we worked all morning to set up an interactive timeline throughout the sanctuary for the Congregational Action Partnership meeting.  We took groups of supporting church members through our timeline, giving a full vision of where BSM has been and where it hopes to go.  

WEDNESDAY EVENING, we rushed to clear out the displays in order to set up our usual Wednesday evening meal.

THURSDAY, we took away the displays in order to prepare the space for our weekly Breaking Bread lunch and service provisions.

THURSDAY EVENING, we set up the space for a very moving memorial service for the son of a wonderful couple at one of our church communities.  

(Are you wondering why I didn't get around to posting last week?  Whew!)

So what is the message we draw from this space this week?  I've never experienced one place serve so many purposes over such a short period of time.  They were all very unique, yet seemed to still say the same thing: When we gather as community, we worship.  The week began in a solemn reminder of the plagues of this world, along with a great feeling of solidarity and comfort for the afflicted.  We moved into a celebration of God's movement through our time.  The meals we have together remind us of the physical nature of being in relationship, and the ability to provide for those in need.  At the end of the day, however, we are once again reminded of our own mortality, and the need for solidarity and comfort for the afflicted.  

Finding the message out of a hectic week can be difficult, yet it is what the advent season calls us to do: seek out the message of hope in the midst of despair and clutter.  

Because at the end of a hectic week, we can always remember (as Tony Campolo likes to remind us...): Sssssssunday's coming!  At the end of such a wild week, we always know that we will soon gather in worship to lead us on through another week.

Recognize the space you are in and find the message it is telling you!

What's the point of church anyway?

I apologize for taking forever to do a new post!  Quick update: things have been in fairly high gear over here as both campuses prepare for the end of the year sprint!  At BSM, the Breaking Bread program has been going full force!  This has been an incredible opportunity to witness what it means for 100 poor, often homeless, people to come in, get food, and be treated as humans for a couple hours out of their day.  We offer lunch and social services such as haircuts, a clothing closet, benefits bank, and hygiene kits to name a few.  I've enjoyed these meals as it gives me a chance to really develop my relationship with the regulars that come in our doors.  They have incredible stories to share.  At Arch Street Pres, we have been gearing up for the Advent season!  We are looking at starting some mid-week afternoon services for the working population in downtown Philly.  The congregation has been gaining momentum and life thanks to 2 great sundays where we had meal fellowship following the service!  As far as my personal self is concerned, call or visit to see how I'm doing!

I've also been lacking inspiration for posts, which may be a case of some fatigue - it can be hard to keep up with all the posting!  I hope you all have enjoyed my post-bible study reflections on Wed., I'll try to keep those up!

For tonight, I am posing a VERY SIMPLE question and I would like COMMENTS!  Pretend that you have not grown up in the church.  For those that haven't, this may be easy and I encourage your comments as well!  Try to take all your pre-conceived notions of the church away for this...

WHY would you choose to start going to a church?

Both BSM and Arch Street are at a point where they are examining what Christian fellowship means and how it can be enacted.  There is some hesitancy to this because both are founded on the deep theological assertion that the faith community is not built for church members in themselves, but for purposes of living out the radical gospel in the world to serve others.  How do these two relate?  I'm not going to say any more because I am curious to here thoughts from those of you who read this blog.  We are created for conversation, not lectures!

So think of that question and answer in the comment section...NOW!

Also, as I have mentioned earlier, I encourage you to join an online conversation at The Church Is Alive.  This week, Carol Howard Merritt wrote an excellent post on this very subject I bring up this evening.  I encourage you to check it out!  That is, after you answer my question!

peace,
mike

Breaking bread, loving baseball

In case you missed it, the Phillies just won the National League and on Wednesday, will play either the Yankees or Angels in the World Series.  I've never been in the midst of a city where a sports team has had a major win.  I had the exciting opportunity to watch the game last night at BSM, right in center city.  Upon their win, the city came alive as everyone rushed center city and preceded to cause mass chaos.  Although the World Series win is still around the corner and last year's playoff drought busting win was much greater, the experience was still pretty exciting!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a born and bred Braves fan, which means I will cheer for them till the day I die.  However, I think any true national league fan would agree that come playoff season, whichever team can beat the Yankees is the team to cheer for (save perhaps the mets or marlins)!  Beyond this, there's just something about baseball to cheer for the home team (when they're not playing your team of course).

Now why have I been talking about Baseball for 2 paragraphs?  Because I have witnessed the effects of sports on the homeless community.  Not only is it a source of common conversation, it is also a source of hope for many.  There has been a lot of joy in Philadelphia lately due to the run of the Phillies.  Many of our homeless friends can't stop talking about it.  I had wondered where they have been able to experience these games, only to learn it is by crowding around a stereo or looking into store windows from the street!  This is dedication!

Breaking Bread is a weekly service provided at BSM.  Lunch is served, along with several services not often provided elsewhere.  Today, I assisted guests in our clothing closet, picking out donated items.  Then, I assisted in the therapeutic arts program for the day - decorating pumpkins.  Positive energy carried the day, as our guests helped each other pick out outfits and resort to the days of childhood arts class during the pumpkin decorating (picture below not from the actual event).

So many food and service social programs seem to not give much attention to the mood of their guests.  Today, I witnessed what it means to do so.  People living on the margins carry a LOT with them, literally and figuratively.  Giving the opportunity for conversation and creative expression can go a LONG way to help them feel more human once again and give the positive energy needed to carry the day.  Let us never forget that Jesus was homeless and called us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Cliche, yes, yet so vital and significant each time we hear it.  People deserve more that just a meal.  They deserve a chance to be human for a few hours.

Talking baseball with some homeless guys is very human indeed.  We can all unite around the joy of America's greatest pastime and the pride for a city that has loved its team (at least recently!).  I know this joy of sports is not always a given thing.  It's rare to be in a city that can celebrate sports.  Beyond this, we should always be wary of a theology of competition.  However, for our purposes at Broad Street, the ability to unite around a subject that gives us unity is a chance to be human together, as God created us.

Never thought I'd say this...but Go Phillies!  For this year at least...