Ritual : Identity : Self-definition

In his book, Moving the Furniture, Dr. William Seth Adams writes, “Rituals provide memory, identity and community-vision for their participants.” I continue to be amazed that in a world where everyone is running around with Blackberry’s, laptops and ear-phones, some people in the church question a person’s need for ritual.

We seem to have become an over-organized society! Organization requires ritual. Yet isn’t it interesting that ritual becomes a habit of the heart. Ritual gives meaning, symbol and memory to action. Lighting the candles in church offers no purpose other than ritual which leads to a symbolic action of inviting the light of Christ into our midst. We know Christ is here whether we invite him or not, but the burning wick offers us a visual remembrance of his presence.

If ritual also brings identity and self-definition then our rituals help us to know who we are as disciples of Christ. Our Christian heritage gets wrapped up in our sense of ritual in worship, prayer and devotional life, even service.

We need ritual in order to know who we are. Even our ‘contemporary’ ways are full of ritual. We do things in a certain way because that is who we are. To know yourself is to recognize the importance and place of ritual in your life.

Be a part of the ritual at Abiding Love. See you in church.

We Support Greatness!

September 2nd

As I came to church this morning I met several weepy mothers and a few disoriented fathers. They were busy, looking down and walking quickly to their cars. It is the first day of school at the ‘part time’ program, a ministry of our Children’s Center.

I’m thinking there were probably a lot of crying toddlers as they were dropped off for their first day. Separation anxiety is one of our first and greatest fears. We learn how to handle separation when we are little, and those life lessons go with us for our lifetime. What a comfort to know that a place like Abiding Love is helping to teach the lessons of love and care. The 100 plus children that come here everyday learn about trust, grace and of course, love.

We are participating in the development of the future. Who knows what greatness is found among these children! I’ve heard a story about one of Martin Luther’s first day of school. The teacher, upon entering the classroom, bowed and said, “I bow because I know that one of you is going to be great!” I give thanks for the ministry that we support and encourage at the Abiding Love Children’s Center. We support greatness!