Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Stream of consciousness thoughts from Greenbelt

The common good - Jim Wallis - what does this mean, how do I aim for it. The need for some more pragmatic tips for all talks

Dementia in Churches - how do I respond, what can we do - Need more specifics, off to check the liveability website.

Steve Chalke - God can't leave prayer meetings, no matter how boring,  need to be providing better administration so people can get on with doing stuff, post welfare state coming, not necessarily right, but how will we respond. Repentance - wake up and live differently. Bring good news to people - not letting them live in Hell on earth. Want to know what I can do right away - feeling impatient

Divine Feminine Eucharist - found active exclusion of men in first section really uncomfortable, could have had whole service without that element, blokes at Greenbelt coming to that kind of service already converted, liked rest of liturgy, would use in some circumstances, want to look at gender neutral language where we can, think service was trying to highlight something specific, using gender neautral language all the time could be considered silencing the feminine by omission.

Group communion - breaking bread with friends in a field - like the feeding of the 5000? Range of ages amazing, felt very safe and secure.

Beer and Hymns - can't sing Here I am Lord - too emotional. Love being surrounded by people singing, is this what heaven is like? Biggest moment of doubt, what if this all nonsense? Can't deny the social justice bit, just know that's right. Want to build Kingdom of Heaven on earth, can't always reconcile God with suffering I see, or the point of the resurrection. Can't deny the presence of God when people raise their glasses singing their hearts out - lost my voice.

Best conversation - Tom and I half cut walking on the way to something talking about the theology of Now, all that people with dementia have, very Orthodox theology (not sure we were right on this one), incarnation, passion, resurrection all happening now, why I love advent, God is coming to earth right at this minute.

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