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Holiness in our Midst: Session 58

SESSION LVIII: ON CITIES

What is your favorite city? Mine would have to be Chicago, where I spent 14 years on the Near North Side in the Seventies and Eighties. I lived where the action was in a time of spiritual renewal. Six blocks to downtown. One block to Oak Street Beach. Four blocks to my church home, Fourth Presbyterian Church, across from the Hancock Building on Michigan Avenue. Twelve blocks to Lincoln Park. Something in my secret soul was satisfied by the sweep of skyscrapers along the horizon, the multi-lingual diversity of the neighborhoods, and the constant wind blowing sweet with the sounds of street jazz musicians. Where else but Lincoln Park Zoo could I shiver and sing Christmas carols to the animals and then warm up over hot chocolate at the Lion House? I often visit Chicago in my imagination: its tasty restaurants, world-class museums, architectural landmarks, and musical venues, especially the Old Town School of Folk Music. I go for long walks, hearing the waves off Lake Michigan mixed with the honking of horns on nearby Lake Shore Drive, and delight in the magnificent ever-changing cityscapes.

It strengthens me whenever I remember how such deep religious and ethnic differences enhanced rather than divided us there. It was in Chicago that I learned from social justice leaders about how to be with persons in poverty as equals. Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV) reads: “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” While I was in exile, I tasted true community, along with the heavenly flavors of Uno’s (deep dish) Pizza! I’m more prepared to persevere in these trying political times because of my years in this good city.

STORY CIRCLE PROMPT: What city are you drawn to? Why?

FOR PERSONAL/JOURNAL REFLECTION:

1. Read the above reflection.
2. Write a reflection on a city you like to visit. Why is it special to you?

FOR GROUP STUDY:

1.   Read aloud Session LVIII.
2.   Ask each person to answer the Story Circle Prompt.

[View Past Sessions Here]

Note: Holiness in Our Midst: Sharing Our Stories to Encourage and Heal is a monthly on-line feature created by Janis Pyle to facilitate sharing of our personal experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and spiritual practices with one another, especially through stories. Barriers are broken down when we begin to see all persons, even those with whom we disagree ideologically, as sacred and constantly attended to by a loving Creator. Each column is accompanied by a “story circle” prompt and study guides for personal and group reflection. To share your stories, contact Hannah Button-Harrison at communications@nplains.org. Janis Pyle can be reached at janispyle@yahoo.com.

Holiness in our Midst: Session 57

SESSION LVII: ON BIBLICAL CHARACTERS

What Biblical character do you draw inspiration or courage from? How? Why? As for me, I draw courage from the example of Mary, who sat listening and learning from Jesus, instead of being the perfect hostess like her sister Martha. This is the text:

“38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 New International Version (NIV)

As a modern-day contemplative in a world that values “busyness,” and “getting down to business,” I identify with Mary’s need to work at understanding life rather than work at mastering life’s tasks. Her example, upheld by Jesus Himself, frees me to be my better, deeper self.

STORY CIRCLE PROMPT: With what Biblical character do you most identify? Why?

FOR PERSONAL/JOURNAL REFLECTION:

1. Read the above reflection.
2. Write a reflection on your most inspirational Biblical character. What did you learn about yourself?

FOR GROUP STUDY:

1.   Read aloud Session LVII.         
2. Ask each person to answer the Story Circle Prompt.

[View Past Sessions Here]

Note: Holiness in Our Midst: Sharing Our Stories to Encourage and Heal is a monthly on-line feature created by Janis Pyle to facilitate sharing of our personal experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and spiritual practices with one another, especially through stories. Barriers are broken down when we begin to see all persons, even those with whom we disagree ideologically, as sacred and constantly attended to by a loving Creator. Each column is accompanied by a “story circle” prompt and study guides for personal and group reflection. To share your stories, contact Hannah Button-Harrison at communications@nplains.org. Janis Pyle can be reached at janispyle@yahoo.com.

District News & Announcements – May 2017

District News & Announcements

May 2017

Holiness in our Midst: Session 56

SESSION LVI: ON FAMILY VACATIONS

STORY CIRCLE PROMPT: Where was your family’s favorite vacation spot? What memories still delight you?

I was five when I was first tucked into a life jacket, helped down into a motor boat, handed a fishing pole with a little red-and-white bobber, and told to be patient. I didn’t have to wait long! A big fish found the minnow on the hook that Dad had shown me how to bait! That year we were at Sunset View Lodge on Leech Lake. I was hooked from the start on family vacations spent at various northern Minnesota resorts. Each June, until I graduated from high school, we spent a week in a rustic cabin fishing, swimming, sun-tanning on the beach, and just plain leaving our work and school routines behind. Truth be told, we also had our vacation routines, but they were of our choosing. We were too busy to bicker, awakening before dawn and grabbing our fishing poles to get a head start out to our secret fishing hole. Floating along an island, we experienced together the sun slowly rising over the lake. Moments of pure quiet were punctuated by cries of “I GOT ONE!” Most suppers, we feasted on Yellow Perch, Northern Pike and Walleye, dipped in cornmeal batter and fried to golden perfection. Some afternoons, we read books or played games at The Lodge and spent our saved-up allowances on snacks of ice cream bars and root beers. On rainy days, we would pile in the car and travel to nearby Bemidji to visit the Paul Bunyan statue. We smiled big as we got our pictures taken with our superhero. Our parents would shop at the famous Bemidji Woolen Mills and purchase red plaid jackets for fall. On other outings, we would drink in the beauty of the pine and birch trees of the Chippewa National Forest or visit Itaska State Park and dip our toes into the headwaters of the Mississippi River. We returned home refreshed, with a freezer chest full of fish to last us until the next year…

FOR PERSONAL/JOURNAL REFLECTION:

1. Read the above reflection.
2. Write about your family’s favorite vacation spot. Can you still return to the same place?

FOR GROUP STUDY:

1.   Read aloud Session LVI.  
2.   Ask each person to answer the Story Circle Prompt.

[View Past Sessions Here]

Note: Holiness in Our Midst: Sharing Our Stories to Encourage and Heal is a monthly on-line feature created by Janis Pyle to facilitate sharing of our personal experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and spiritual practices with one another, especially through stories. Barriers are broken down when we begin to see all persons, even those with whom we disagree ideologically, as sacred and constantly attended to by a loving Creator. Each column is accompanied by a “story circle” prompt and study guides for personal and group reflection. To share your stories, contact Hannah Button-Harrison at communications@nplains.org. Janis Pyle can be reached at janispyle@yahoo.com.

District News & Announcements – April 2017

District News & Announcements

April 2017

Holiness in our Midst: Session 55

SESSION LV: ON HOSPITALITY

STORY CIRCLE PROMPT: Remember a time when you extended or received exceptional hospitality.

Our 12-person Church of the Brethren Faith Expedition was welcomed in unforgettable fashion in southern Sudan (now South Sudan) in February of 2002. Hospitality was refined to an art form by the Sudanese.

They welcomed us with open arms. Ours was the first North American group to visit the Anglican compound of Rokon. Men, women and children, in their finest dress, lined the roadside for miles, straining for the sight of our Land Rover. As we approached, the women trilled a greeting for us, then danced and sang for us. The school children had learned a song in English: “We are so happy to see you.”

They remembered our names. The women formed a receiving line and asked each of us our names. Four days later, without prompting, one woman came to me and said, “Jan-eese, thank you for coming and visiting us in our desperate plight. We knew you would come.” She had remembered my name! Had I done as well? No.

They practiced sacrificial generosity. This compound went without enough food for a week—and gladly!—so that we might be given a banquet. They gave from their substance, not their abundance. It wasn’t the fatted calf they served; it was the skinny goat running around the day before. On that trip, I learned to never refuse food prepared with love. Yes, even goat! In a drought-stricken land, from a people pummeled by war, I understood that I was the one who was spiritually impoverished, in dire need of their true hospitality.

FOR PERSONAL/JOURNAL REFLECTION:

1. Read the above reflection.
2. Write about your extended or received exceptional hospitality.

FOR GROUP STUDY:

1.   Read aloud Session LV.     
2.   Ask each person to answer the Story Circle Prompt.

[View Past Sessions Here]

Note: Holiness in Our Midst: Sharing Our Stories to Encourage and Heal is a monthly on-line feature created by Janis Pyle to facilitate sharing of our personal experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and spiritual practices with one another, especially through stories. Barriers are broken down when we begin to see all persons, even those with whom we disagree ideologically, as sacred and constantly attended to by a loving Creator. Each column is accompanied by a “story circle” prompt and study guides for personal and group reflection. To share your stories, contact Hannah Button-Harrison at communications@nplains.org. Janis Pyle can be reached at janispyle@yahoo.com.

District News & Announcements – March 2017

District News & Announcements

March 2017

Holiness in our Midst: Session 54

SESSION LIV: ON BUMPER STICKERS

STORY CIRCLE PROMPT: How would you answer: I’d rather be_______.

I’ve always been intrigued with bumper stickers that begin with “I’d rather be_____.” Depending on where I was traveling at the time, I’ve seen ones that read hunting, fishing, parasailing, mountain climbing, scuba diving and surfing. My first response on this day, as I prepare to go to work is: I’d rather be writing. The first step in making life changes is to name what makes one happiest. I think: Is there way I can rearrange my days so that I can fit in more writing time? Get up earlier? Go to bed later? Is there a place you would rather be today? How would you fill in the blank? How can you connect this exercise to your dreams?

FOR PERSONAL/JOURNAL REFLECTION:

1. Read the above reflection.
2. Write about your dream job or avocation.

FOR GROUP STUDY:

1.   Read aloud Session LIV.    
2. Ask each person to answer the Story Circle Prompt.

[View Past Sessions Here]

Note: Holiness in Our Midst: Sharing Our Stories to Encourage and Heal is a monthly on-line feature created by Janis Pyle to facilitate sharing of our personal experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and spiritual practices with one another, especially through stories. Barriers are broken down when we begin to see all persons, even those with whom we disagree ideologically, as sacred and constantly attended to by a loving Creator. Each column is accompanied by a “story circle” prompt and study guides for personal and group reflection. To share your stories, contact Hannah Button-Harrison at communications@nplains.org. Janis Pyle can be reached at janispyle@yahoo.com.

District News & Announcements – February 2017

District News & Announcements

February 2017

Message from the Moderator: January 2017

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 11:4-5 NIV).