Eighth Day of Christmas! This Wednesday! 8pm!
December 28, 2008
Hello, Transmissioners!
Until the 1970s, it was called the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord.¬† After that, it was called the Feast of the Holy Name.¬† Most people today just call it New Year’s Eve.¬† Whatever you want to call it, we’re celebrating it this Wednesday!¬† Between 8pm and 9pm, we’ll do a short ritual based on the Eighth Day of Christmas and the Bris of Christ, and from 9pm onwards we’ll just be partying – drinks, games, music, you name it.¬† If you have a friend you’ve been meaning to invite to Transmission, this would be a great week to do it!¬† All are welcome.
Liturgical Chaos
December 18, 2008
On the train ride home from Transmission last night, we somehow got into a discussion of the various denominational backgrounds of our members, especially the Episcopalians and the Baptists.¬† Well, this morning, our friend Emily Scott posted a piece on that very topic, and it’s well worth reading.
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/liturgy/holy_chaos_or_what_episcopalia.php
An Advent Ritual From Home
December 15, 2008
Here’s a ritual that Bowie led us in last Wednesday.¬† It’s loosely based on a Lessons and Carols service, and involves distributing the verses of Veni, Veni Emmanuel around texts and meditations.¬† Copy it down and do it with your community, or just do it here!
Sing:
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Silence…
Sing:
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Watch:Blessed by Juli Allen and Jon Birch
Share Stories About Waiting
Sing:
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Waiting for the Miracle, by Leonard Cohen:
[audio: waitingforthemiracle.mp3]
light candles while listening.
Sing:
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Postlude: Waiting in Vain by Bob Marley (performed by Annie Lenox):
[audio: waitinginvain]
Advent Transmission on waiting…
December 2, 2008
This Wednesday, December 3, is the first Transmission of Advent.¬† We’re meeting at Isaac’s place (email for directions), Sarah is cooking, and Bowie is leading the ritual:
A quiet, meditative evening to reflect on waiting… in silence and darkness, and waiting… for a miracle to come. ¬†We will read Luke Chapter 1 and selections from the Prophet Isaiah, interspersed with songs, silence, sharing, and activities.¬† Music ranging from O Come O Come Emmanuel to Coldplay.