V-DAY RITUAL
February 15, 2007
2/14/2007
Valentine’s Day House Church
SETTING: 2-bedroom apartment in west Harlem. seven folks arrived, cooked dinner, welcomed our new guest, ate snacks, then started ritual.
* kiss of peace
* ritual reading of Song of Songs
* prayer: bodies – folks strike a pose, everyone follows suit, say a prayer
* prayer: love song lyric – pass out selections from popular love songs that could be read to address a lover relationship with the divine. folks select one, read or sing it to the group. sing alongs welcome
* dinner, dessert, wine and good conversation
SoS RITUAL READING
Instructions –
* prep and procure the props
* make copies of readings in large font for participants to read
* when gathered, explain interactive component before each reading – have people perform the asterisked ritual before, during, or after the reading
* afterwards, invite people to share how they heard God speaking to them in the text
I SoS 1:12-17 (from bible or TJS translation below)
* SMELL – cedar balls and spices
Where you recline in light of noon
I’ll fly to lie beside you soon
With Spices, wine and ripest fruit
Have my desire in finest bloom
Baptized in your divine perfume
The time is right, we’re wise but new
The time is right, desire consumes
Our couch is green, our rafters pine
Our house is cedar beams and grafted vines
The clouds our canopy on high
Our town this Eden ‘neath the sky
Feel your left arm beneath my head
Your right my sheet, your side my bed
But I won’t sleep for love is ready
And I won’t rest till love is dead
II SoS 2:8-13
* VISUALIZE – close your eyes, listen, and see the scene in your mind’s eye
III Song of Songs 4:9-16
* SMELL – light incense
I Want to be a Clone
January 30, 2007
When I was in my late teens, I was introduced to alternative Christian music, which began my “descent” into what I would call the alternative church.
Different than Isaac’s definition of the Emerging Church, this type of church may have had an authority figure at the top, but from where it stood it was changing the notions of convention. It wasn’t the dress-up-and-look-your-best-shop-talk type of church. Rather, to give an example, it was about 6-7 people dressed in all black, makeup covering their faces, looking edgy, some might say gothic, in a dark basement lit by candlelight, singing gothic worship songs (to this day I am not even sure I can describe that!), and talking about a particular passage in the bible. It was a place where people like this could feel safe and could meet God where they were in their lives without the criticisms of those whom were more “conservative” in style. This church and it’s corresponding music reached out to a generation of young people whom weren’t being touch by “conventional wisdom”.
The musicians - bands like Delieverance, Vengence Rising, Tourniquet, the Violet Burning, Echoing Green, and others - were ridiculed and called demon worshipers dressed in sheeps’ clothing. Yet I couldn’t tell you the number of people they reached. It has always stuck out in my mind. They stood out because they were different and in some form were an image of Christ on this earth. They were the outcasts who were reaching out to other outcasts and providing a spiritual form of healing through music.
One song in particular, which had a great influence on my life, was Steve Taylor’s “I Want to be a Clone”. Steve Taylor’s comments and criticism about the estabilished church reach out to the disillusioned and challenge those who “clothe themselves in righteousness” but forget the very foundations of Christ - His love. Thus, without further ado, the lyrics:
I’d gone through so much other stuff
that walking down the aisle was tough
but now I know it’s not enough
I want to be a clone
I asked the Lord into my heart
they said that was the way to start
but now you’ve got to play the part
I want to be a clone
chorus:
Be a clone and kiss conviction goodnight
cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I’m grateful that they show the way
’cause I could never know the way
to serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
Missing Him
December 19, 2006
I have a “rock n’ roll” version of this Vineyard praise song that just came up on my iTunes. It reminded me of Him and just how much I miss His presence in my life. Too buried in finals and my thesis project, I forget that’s He’s just one word (or in this case one song) away and all I have to do is call out and He’s with me. I miss Him and thank Him for always being there even when I am not paying attention.
“More love, more power
More of You in my life
More love, more power
More of You in my life.
I will worship You with all of my heart
And I will worship You with all of my mind
And I will worship You with all of my strength
For you are my Lord
You are my Lord.
WAITING : AN ADVENT MIX
December 7, 2006
badass nina., originally uploaded by canela_miel.
j.Snodgrass mix for Transmission apt.church 12.06.06
MILES DAVIS: SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME
LEONARD COHEN: WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE (FULL LENGTH)
THE DOORS: WAITING FOR THE SUN
ANNIE LENNOX : WAITING IN VAIN
DEPECHE MODE : WAITING FOR THE NIGHT
NINA SIMONE: LILAC WINE
LOU REED : WAITING FOR THE MAN
CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN : COME ON DARKNESS
ISAAC EVERETT : EXPECTATION
DEPECHE MODE : WAITING FOR THE NIGHT (REMIX)
DISNEY SOUNDTRACK : “SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME”
You can check out and download (a slightly modified version of) this iMix from iTunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=208077971
12/20 xmas cookies!
November 10, 2006
Iced Sugar Cookies, originally uploaded by jessamynnorth.
I just got a whole tin of cookie cutters from my dad, who just moved to Puerto Rico to start a retreat center (so I got a lot of family stuff) - and I think we should make cookies for transmission house church on 12/20!
we can also light advent candles
sing some Christmas carols
and what else?
what are your favorite Christian Christmas traditions?
what do you remember doing with family in Advent?
what should we incorporate into our house church night?
and, do you have a favorite cookie recipe?!
TjS: Shrine to the Lizard King
November 3, 2006
Jim Morrison’s grave, originally uploaded by Shontellymc.
In honor of the day of the dead, I decided to build a shrine to my childhood hero, Jim Morrison. Of course I didn’t know him personally, but his dark visions haunted me when I was young, and continue to bring out very deep, visceral reactions today, when I’m beginning the procreative cycle at the same age at which he died. There were times in my childhood when I wondered if I’d ever outgrow him, but I know now that this tired warrior will never see farther than his boyhood prophet.
Listening to a Doors bootleg right now, I’m reminded again of the primeval power of this man, this dark priest on whom my image of Jesus is largely based (who REALLY believes Jesus wore one of those ridiculous papal hats?). I hear Jim Morrison in the works of Omar Khayyam, the Biblical prophets, modern prophets like Raine Maida, in the continual lurching of the soft parade, and look forward to hearing his ageless voice in the cries of my child to be born. Yes, I intend to frighten my kids with Morrison’s howls, and as they get older, to teach them to dance around bonfires to the Doors’ pagan rhythms, and in this way begin their teachings about humanity, where we’ve been, where we’re going. Corny as it sounds, I sat down a few minutes ago to write, of all things, a poem for my childhood hero. Off the top of my head, here’s the best I can do - a tribute to a man who has always inspired me.
You were twenty-seven and I was twelve
You cried to Heaven for how I felt
You broke through to me
Who needed you to be –
How did you know, how could you tell?
Now you’re twenty-seven and so am I
But I’m still eleven when I hear you cry
Your message straight and true
Time and again you cry on through
You’re still by my side as years go by
When you’re twenty-seven and I’m fifty-six
Will you still have wisdom yet to give?
Will you still howl on my behalf?
Or fade down some forgotten path?
I know at twenty-seven you’ll still alive
What Would the World Be Like Without Music?
October 18, 2006
Originally uploaded by JwS. © Jim Scolman Copyright 2006
Tonight I remembered the words to my favorite song from elementary school choir. I’ve had the first couple of lines stuck in my head for a few days now, and finally sat down to see how many I could write out. By golly, I remembered them all (I think). Well, you can’t hear the catchy tune that does along, but hope you enjoy these lyrics –
What would the world be like without music?
Beautiful music! Just think of what it means
To you and me! What would the world be like
Without Mu-u-sic? Try to imagine how empty
Our lives would be. There’d be no melodies to
Whistle while you work. There’d be no songs to
Sing – like nanny-nanny-poo-poo. There’d be
No melodies to help you find the way you feel
You’d have to find another way-ay-ay-ay.
What would the world be like without mu-u-sic?
Try to imagine how empty our lives would be.
Share a favorite song of yours from childhood! Please :-)
Sad, Sad Story
October 13, 2006
this is one of my favorite songs written by my bro, TJSnodgrass. I thought they were good lyrics to muse upon while thinking about house church. the arrangement reminds me of an ol’ revival grace or, perhaps, a campfire song.
From The Sundry Brothers WORK OUT
Bring your sad, sad story to the table
To lay between the salad and the steak
Spill it like the horses from the stable
You’ll find the cloth is clean ‘fore you’re awake
Bring your sad, sad story to the table
To flow between the politics and news
Bring it satire, daydream, fact or fable,
You’ll find there’s still an ending left to choose
Bring it if it’s beautiful or terrible
Bring it gospel truth or pretty parable
Save your certified learning
Don’t preach your practice sermon
Don’t try too hard to hide your cards
Just share it all
Bring your sad, sad story to the table
To lay between your set-up and your stash
You’ll know you’re getting somewhere
If it’s painful, and in the morn we’ll
Throw it in the trash, yes, in the morn
We’ll throw it in the trash
© Snodgrass 2006
ritual for first house church
October 2, 2006
Grinning Chris de Burgh, Berlin
Originally uploaded by strangebehaviour.
hey ya’ll -
here’s my plan for the worship component of the first house church next Wednesday, Oct 11th. I’ve love to hear your thoughts and input. if you’re interested in coming, please rsvp to epiphany.ny@gmail.com
life o’ Jesus
birth -
tunes - A Spaceman Came Traveling, Chris de Burgh
pass around icons of baby jesus & nativity sets
life -
participants share stories about the life of Jesus, what did Jesus do? what stories have stuck with you? an exercise in listening and teaching, plus, letting Jesus into your heart, yo.
death -
tunes - Just Another Poor Boy, Chris de Burgh
pass around crucifixes from various traditions
note on CdeB - wrote the hit song, The Lady in Red; has released about 20 albums; has written some rockin’ and epic Christian songs through the years - about everything from the birth of JC to the Crusades, from the death of Jesus from the perspective of Mary M to a trilogy about the apocalypse. weird dude, but brilliant, sincere, and fun. I was introduced to C de B by my former roommate, a Socialist Jewish Lesbian Canadian (now that lefty for you!) who loved Chris as a teenage girl growing up in Calvary!
Play Dress-Up! worship service @ Greenbelt Festival
August 17, 2006
8 p.m. Friday @ the New Forms Café
We’re born naked, but spend our life in fabrics and fashion. Playing with the idea of dressing up for church and childhood dress-up games, come be transformed by textiles, biblical texts, and of course, your imaginations.
prelude & introduction
song
Exodus 28 meditation
Psalm 104:1-6
Gospel Mark 5:24-35
discussion
Play Dress-Up!
dance and share
Hem of His Garment…………………Faithless & Dido
Hem of Your Garment …………………………..Cake
Touch the Hem of His Garment…………..Sam Cooke
prayer litany
song
service by Bowie & Isaac; music arranged/composed by Isaac