I read your blog Coming Back with great interest. St. Bartholomew's has been birthed into such an exciting time and opportunity for discernment and spiritual growth. A Community in transition perhaps, because I do not believe you are in the place where you will one day be. Thats exciting, offering so much opportunity to explore who you are as a faith Community.
I too have visited Seabuy-Western many times. On one particular visit, after being so miserably lost in Evanston, I found a parking space right near the Seminary. It was just about 5:30pm during the week. The carillon was calling the Community to daily Eucharist. I was so happy, because I was in the right place at almost the right time. One can tell a while lot about a parish church, and its leadership, by the their liturgy. Bishop Denis once said to me that liturgy and space must be prepared to the best of our abilities, because you never know, there may be someone at that liturgy hearing the Word of God for the first time.... or the last.
Think about that!
Anyhow, back to Evanston, I was almost late, and in an unfamiliar sitting in the space designated for"visitors". Those outside their community. It was physically close but cut off and far. I felt like I was a spectator rather than a participant. To my shock and surprise, without asking, one of the faculty sitting in front of me, in choir, found the pages of their liturgy and handed them to me with precise timing, anticipating what i would need and when. Nothing was said, only a warm smile communicated a sincere welcome. This was a gift , to someone new who was visiting for the first time. We need to remember that every liturgy is an opportunity to present and re-present ourselves as the body of Christ in all his Glory.
My point is people, by their actions and intentions create healthy intimacy and community celebration. Of course the chapel of St. John the Divine at Seabury-Western is much smaller than St. Bartholomew's; but it also has space challenges which they have worked through and probably will continue to explore as they discern their call as a seminary, in an ever changing world and church.
Closer to home, Trinity Church Wall Street had a similar challenge as St. Bartholomew's, but worked through in the 1970s. They were resourceful, creative, functional, and authentic in their vision; without compromising the integrity of who they are as a parish church, or that glorious space. I don't think it cost them alot of money either, as they just made some small changes which had big impact on how they presented themselves to the community, diocese and world.
As you move forward do not be afraid. You have great potential and opportunity to rediscover, redefine your calling as a reconciling and healing community in White Plains. This involves people first, at the Altar, being fortified, strengthened and empowered.
The sacred space and its furniture will reflect who you are as a faith Community. It is a choice, intention as well as action. One person in a pew or sitting in the back of the church isolated, presents a message of inwardly directed gloomy piety, rather than an open, inviting and welcoming. Which I think St. Bartholomew's is growing into.
That man, at the Chapel of St. John the Divine in Evanston, who by intention and action, reflected to me who they were as a seminary, and worshiping community, to me the visitor. We have all had experiences like this. Some good and some horrid. But these memories remain with us for ever and help discern faith; as a healing instrument of God's grace, in a confusing, fragmented and at times dangerous world.
Isn't that what St. Bartholomew's Church called to do?
Father Gawain and St.
Father Gawain and St. Bartholomew' Church
I read your blog Coming Back with great interest. St. Bartholomew's has been birthed into such an exciting time and opportunity for discernment and spiritual growth. A Community in transition perhaps, because I do not believe you are in the place where you will one day be. Thats exciting, offering so much opportunity to explore who you are as a faith Community.
I too have visited Seabuy-Western many times. On one particular visit, after being so miserably lost in Evanston, I found a parking space right near the Seminary. It was just about 5:30pm during the week. The carillon was calling the Community to daily Eucharist. I was so happy, because I was in the right place at almost the right time. One can tell a while lot about a parish church, and its leadership, by the their liturgy. Bishop Denis once said to me that liturgy and space must be prepared to the best of our abilities, because you never know, there may be someone at that liturgy hearing the Word of God for the first time.... or the last.
Think about that!
Anyhow, back to Evanston, I was almost late, and in an unfamiliar sitting in the space designated for"visitors". Those outside their community. It was physically close but cut off and far. I felt like I was a spectator rather than a participant. To my shock and surprise, without asking, one of the faculty sitting in front of me, in choir, found the pages of their liturgy and handed them to me with precise timing, anticipating what i would need and when. Nothing was said, only a warm smile communicated a sincere welcome. This was a gift , to someone new who was visiting for the first time. We need to remember that every liturgy is an opportunity to present and re-present ourselves as the body of Christ in all his Glory.
My point is people, by their actions and intentions create healthy intimacy and community celebration. Of course the chapel of St. John the Divine at Seabury-Western is much smaller than St. Bartholomew's; but it also has space challenges which they have worked through and probably will continue to explore as they discern their call as a seminary, in an ever changing world and church.
Closer to home, Trinity Church Wall Street had a similar challenge as St. Bartholomew's, but worked through in the 1970s. They were resourceful, creative, functional, and authentic in their vision; without compromising the integrity of who they are as a parish church, or that glorious space. I don't think it cost them alot of money either, as they just made some small changes which had big impact on how they presented themselves to the community, diocese and world.
As you move forward do not be afraid. You have great potential and opportunity to rediscover, redefine your calling as a reconciling and healing community in White Plains. This involves people first, at the Altar, being fortified, strengthened and empowered.
The sacred space and its furniture will reflect who you are as a faith Community. It is a choice, intention as well as action. One person in a pew or sitting in the back of the church isolated, presents a message of inwardly directed gloomy piety, rather than an open, inviting and welcoming. Which I think St. Bartholomew's is growing into.
That man, at the Chapel of St. John the Divine in Evanston, who by intention and action, reflected to me who they were as a seminary, and worshiping community, to me the visitor. We have all had experiences like this. Some good and some horrid. But these memories remain with us for ever and help discern faith; as a healing instrument of God's grace, in a confusing, fragmented and at times dangerous world.
Isn't that what St. Bartholomew's Church called to do?