21 September 2008

Greetings Friends!

I've been pondering community lately in light of some comments made at our last Town Hall meeting. More specifically, how we have grown to be community and how our sense of community manifests itself as we come together each weekend for Eucharist. At the meeting I heard comments about all the chatter and conversation before Mass being disruptive to those who desire a time of silence for private prayer and also comments that conversation before Mass is, well, community building. Both positions are valid everyone's opinion matters!

Let me pose some things to ponder: Before beginning constructing our current building, we were part of four separate faith communities worshiping at four different sites (five when we include the months we celebrated Mass first at Meeme School and then at Silver Lake College chapel). It became important to us to commence building the "house" we currently occupy in order to come together and to grow closer as community. This was believed to be the best way we could get to know each other and become the one faith community of St. Thomas the Apostle. An integral part of growing closer as community was and is communication - talking with one another. And talk we do! This indicates to me that we care about one another.

And yet, times of silence are desired by many for private prayer - and this is a very valid desire. So...I got to thinking. The design/rhythm/flow of our liturgy offers us some opportunities for silent prayer: The pauses between the readings are times for us to take into our hearts the Word of God which we have just heard and sung in the Scripture readings and Psalm. Some priest presiders offer us another opportunity for silence following the homily. The most extended period of silence within the liturgy can often times be found following Communion.

The physical space in which we currently worship lends itself to conversation (before Mass). It was never intended to be a permanent worship space - its design is that of a social hall. And we have to live with that fact for the time being. When we enter that space, we become part of the gathered community - a community that values and cares for each other and a community that realizes we are deeply loved by our God. I pray that this may always be so - that we gather to worship our awesome God with reverence while continuing to show our concern for those around us.

May we together continue to rejoice in the abundant Love and Life God has given is in all we do and are!

Peace on the Journey