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