I’m so glad to have peeled away from lesson planning and research papering to meet up with Ula, Dan and a warm collection of Followers in the family room of Radical Living for their Advent/Book of Common Prayer Release Party in Brooklyn tonight.  Following the prayers and scriptures that we shared together for December 1st (We even got a call from Shane Claiborne sending his love), there’s a note on Advent for December 1st in the Book of Common Prayer, and a link to an interesting looking website-    http://www.adventconspiracy.org/story

I suggest checking out the “about” section- Worship fully, spend less, give more, love all; and the stories which I’ve linked to, which share our communities around the world are applying the above guidelines creatively in the celebration of Advent.  One of their stories might also be something great to share with us in a future Advent blog post, if you’re blanking on what to say that day.

grateful,

amber

Wed Feb 17: host-Caleb, cook-Caleb, ritual-Katie. This Ash Wednesday, we will be making ashy soap for use throughout Lent. See our post from last year for more details.
Sat Feb 27: Planning meeting at Caleb’s house

Wed Mar 3: host-Mabel, cook-Katie, ritual-Johannes
Wed Mar 17: host-Elaine, cook-Dan, ritual-Isaac. We will be blessing Elaine’s new home and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Wed Mar 24: Planning meeting at Johannes’s home
Wed Mar 31: Planning meeting at Dan’s home

Holy Week
Sun Mar 28: Interfaith Seder at Church of St. Francis Xavier, Mary Chapel. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP by Wed, March 24. Please contact us for more information.
???? ? ???????Fri Apr 2: Stations of the Cross around NYC?
Sat Apr 3 – Sun Apr 4: Easter Vigil? We had a very successful vigil last year, and we are searching for a space for our Easter ritual redux. We have also discussed doing a hike, heading up-state, or traveling to a church in New Jersey.

Wed Apr 7: game and movie night, host-Mabel, cook-local pizza place
Wed Apr 21: host-Johannes, cook-Isaac, ritual-Sarah

If you would like to come to any of these events, get on our mailing list by clicking on the Contact link. We hope to see you soon!

The warriors: Ula, Johannes, Isaac, Sarah, Paul, Mabel, and me.
Highlights from the trip: Friday night ritual at First Presbyterian Church of Matawan. We explored the different uses of the church space, the narthex and entryway, the nave, chancel and sanctuary, all spaces for different ingredients of worship. We rocked to some music around the piano, and shared a holy communion of a more blue collar style, cranberry juice and Stroehmann’s Multi-Grain bread. (Photos to come.)

2.Holmdel Park On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, this place seemed like heaven. Between the arboretum, the open fields, the ponds, hills, trails and farm animals, I felt the presence of God. As well as of the Von Trapp family. Who are always welcome.

In all seriousness, though, this was a wonderfully organized retreat thanks to everyone’s contributions. I know we say we’re a leaderless group, but Isaac and Sarah really stepped up to the plate in coordinating our work together. Our reflections on 1 Thessalonians, on the opening praise and closing appeal of Paul to the Church at Thessalonica, made for stirring discussions. We talked about our anger about the tragedy in Haiti and God’s perceived inaction, and the readings led to a great closing ritual for us on Saturday night.

We each stepped up to the pulpit and delivered what we were grateful for in Transmission, and what we would appeal to each other to do to strengthen and maintain our community. Then we praised God for each member of the group and what they have brought to us as part of our church. Sarah’s quiet steadiness. Isaac’s love and honesty. Johannes’ joyful curiosity. Paul’s outspokenness. My anger and determination. Ula’s fearlessness. We thanked God for the gift of each other and went home grateful partners in faith.

Finally, on Sunday morning, we led the Children’s Chat at First Presbyterian Church, the talk with the kids, mostly under 10 years old. The scripture reading was Jesus’ miracle at the Wedding in Cana, where he turned water into wine. We re-enacted the miracle for the kids by giving them water and pouring in instant Crystal Light packets turning it rapidly into a dark pink lemonade. Then we told them that God in their lives could be just like that powder, turning what seems ordinary into something precious. I think the kids got the idea, although some said the Crystal Light lacked flavor. Hey, we ain’t Jesus, li’l guys. So drink it and LIKE it!

Our next meeting is this Wednesday at Johannes’ house for dinner and a movie night. I’m not sure how theological or completely ridiculous the film will be: however, if you come, you will have a vote! Call Johannes if you have any questions, and see you then.

This week we’ll be joining up with our brothers and sisters at Radical Living, a very cool intentional living community in bed-stuy for food, worship, and fellowship.¬† Our worship will focus on transitions, callings, and mid-career crises of faith.¬† The folks at Radical Living are very cool, and seeing what they’re up to will be well worth your time.

We’ll meet at 7pm at 622 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. The closest stop on the subway is probably Myrtle-Willoughby on the G train. For those of us who live in Upper Manhattan and other far-flung places, make sure to leave enough time to get there.

Finally, out of consideration for our hosts, please send me a note if you intend to come so I can give them an accurate headcount.

See you then!

This Friday, we’ll be joining a bunch of other emergenty, house-churchish people downtown for a vigil, witnessing for justice for non-documented immigrants and other marginalized people.  Afterwards, we’ll probably go out for beer.  You should come!

Join with others concerned with the plight of the immigrant as we stand in solidarity with immigrants and native-born during the monthly Vigil on Varick Street, located in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility in lower Manhattan.

Members of the Catholic Worker, the New Sanctuary Movement, Families for Freedom, Radical Living, Justice For Our Neighbors, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, and various individuals and congregations throughout the city join together the second Friday of every month to pray, sing, and stand vigilant for our brothers and sisters who are behind bars, across the border, and who suffer under the weight of unjust immigration laws.

More than 400,000 people a year are detained by immigration officials in the United States – including undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants who run afoul of the law and asylum seekers who come fleeing persecution. Immigrants can be detained for months or years without any form of meaningful review of whether their detention is necessary, and 84% of detainees are unable to obtain the assistance necessary to present viable claims in an adversarial and complex court process.

Many members of Congress have called for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and now is the time to be present and to call for a just immigration policy.

"’When foreigners reside among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigners residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:33-34.

If you’d like to take a look behind the scenes and learn more about planning rituals, reflect on your liturgical experiences, or debrief and decompress from the month, please join us. Email for directions! Hope to see you there.

Featuring Emergent Church leaders Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt and Mark Scandrette
When: Friday, August 1 at 7:00pm
Where: Marble Collegiate Church, 5th Ave between 29th and 30th

Bowie is going and would love to see you there!

FACEBOOK Event – sign up and invite your friends!