[printprofilepic]At Baptist churches, and maybe others, at the end of the sermon an invitational song is sung, usually slow and plaintive. As a child in a Baptist church I remember always welcoming this last part of the service, I remember watching people walk to the preacher who would listen to their desires or concerns about their spiritual lives. I can still remember the words to least three or four of these songs.
I think Spirit of Life, one of our most beloved and well-known songs is much like the invitational songs of my childhood.
Here’s what I think, and what I hope our children might think, when we sing this song.
Spirit of Life, come unto me…
There just might be something more, something energizing, and something beautiful in this life than I can totally understand, and this something helps me live with hope.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion…
This Spirit of Life is joyful and helps me to feel deeply.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea…
It is everywhere in nature or this existence.
Move in the hand giving life the shape of justice…
I can work towards making a just and peaceful world with the help of this Spirit of Life.
Roots hold me close, wings set me free…
This community, right here and now, nourishes and holds me and yet teaches me how to live/leave as a spirit-filled person.
Spirit of Life come to me, come to me
I hear this song as an invitation, asking all of us to remember ourselves within this community; to recall ourselves to the mission and vision of this community; to reimagine what our responsibilities are to each other and to the greater world.
Benette Sherman
Interim DRE
RE News
Thanks to parents and teachers and especially to Sherry Hardage and Joyce Nickols for helping the kids with the Empty Bowls painting in February.
Thanks to everyone for making the Secret Friends program a fun and purposeful event. I can’t tell you how delightful it was to watch the kids retrieve notes from the bulletin board and then read them with such enthusiasm. They were so excited all through this program.
March 27 and April 3: no RE classes due to spring break.
