We Are Weaving Our Lives
We are weaving our lives
We are weaving our hearts and our minds
We are weaving the bright and dark threads
Of our journeys through~Alexa Sunshine Rose
One Flame to Connect Us
At the 100 Block Halloween Event, I was asked to fill in for Pastor Brian at the candlelighting table. For about half of the event, I greeted the neighbors passing the church with an invitation to the activities in the Community Hall and asked if they would like to light a candle in memory or in honor of a loved one.
This was held on the day of Michael’s heart attack, and I lit the first candle as a prayer for him. I watched as the flame from Michael’s candle was passed to light other candles as the names of loved ones were spoken. I was reminded of the connections we share in our sorrow, our grief, our joy and our hope. I thought about how our prayers for one another create a bond and weave our hearts together in love and compassion.
From there I have noticed many more stories that bind us together creating the fabric or our community. So, pull up a chair and I’ll share a few….
Nature Speaks
On my first visit to Bridget’s Bookshelf, the new independent book store in the 100 Block, a small book jumped out to me. Author Larisa Lake in Nature Speaks, May We Listen, reminded me that I am not standing on the edge of the natural world looking in. I am nature. We are nature. She says, “We share minerals with the earth. We are made up of Earth’s elements. We are not separate.”
Friends, we are connected to all of creation and to each other by the hands of the One who created it all. And, we are the ones given the compassion and empathy to care in a way that sustains the resources of our home and the community for future generations.
Prayer Wall
At nearly the same time, the Prayer wall appeared outside the chapel. The first thing I noticed was the cords that Pastor Brian hung to pin our prayer requests onto. We cut colorful squares of paper and placed them with pens and a candle on the table. Within a couple of weeks the lines were filled with your hearts and desires for yourselves and those you love. As your concerns and joys are released to the cord, I feel us holding hands in connections of sorrow and joy. Just as the individual threads are twisted together to form the cord, both joy and sorrow can be held and experienced at the same time without diminishing someone else’s needs.
The Pattern of Caring
Late last week I received a note from Carol Haas. She gave me permission to share it whenever and wherever I felt appropriate. Now is that time and here is that place. She wrote:
“For my whole old life, my health has been really good (so grateful). But over the past few months, there have been several health issues and I’ve dealt with these diagnoses very differently.
In mid summer, I had cancer - fortunately, caught early and treatable with surgery only. I chose to tell only a selected few people about this situation and asked them not to share with others. After all, it could have been a lot worse and I can handle this on my own.
Recently, I’ve experienced a serious issue with my vision. This time, I’ve shared my concerns with many friends and my church family. Maybe even anyone who will listen! I’ve been praying for the best possible outcome but “you don’t always get what you ask for!” While my diagnosis isn’t what I hoped for, I am blessed with great medical care and a seemingly positive treatment plan.
I’ve also learned a BIG lesson - one that is working well for me. By sharing with others, I am comforted by the support, caring, love, and prayers of many, many people. It makes it so much easier for me to move forward toward whatever comes. Thanks to the power of prayer and care.”
Connections Through Our Forebears
Last Sunday, we honored our saints - those who have passed away this year and have left us with the legacy of faith. Through their families and friends we remember all they did for Broadway and for Christianity. We hold in prayer their loved ones who cherish their memory while moving through life without them. Through their faithfulness and their service they are woven into the fabric of who Broadway is and the tapestry of who Broadway is to become.
Threads of Prayer
Yesterday, the Threads of Prayer Creatives met in the DeLong Lounge. I always make a point to stop in and see what they are all creating with their yarns and hooks. Most who attend crochet. I haven’t learned to crochet yet, but I would like to grab my needles and yarn and come play with them. I hear them sharing, encouraging and laughing as they weave their yarn into patterns of texture that become works of art that become lap blankets, scarves, and so much more. Many of our textile creatives donate their work to the church to bless others in the form of prayer shawls and baby blankets. Larger size blankets are available to wrap yourselves in as you visit the chapel. I call them yarn hugs.
If you are interested in joining them, they meet the first and third Wednesday at 1:00 PM in the DeLong Lounge. You are welcome to come as you can. If you are not available then, but are interested, let us know we can try to arrange other groups.
Continuing The Connection
These are just a few of the stories of connection I have seen here at Broadway in the last couple of weeks. As I circle back to my opening observation I hope that you know that you are not standing on the outside looking in. As you leave a request on the prayer wall, as you celebrate and grieve, and as you share your talents and passions with other, I hope you know that you are Broadway, We are Broadway!
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayers.