The Chapel at General Convention
A couple of weeks ago, John and Stasi McAteer, Bertie Pearson, and I got together to start laying down some details for the upcoming Chapel at General Convention, with many thanks to the Every Voice Network for the generous donation of the booth space!
We outlined some basic principles for what we're doing:
— We are modeling the Chapel on an ideal medieval monastic practice; that is, we pray with and for anyone who comes, without concern for politics, but with a concern for context.
— To that end, we will not be "taking sides" in any of the events that take place at convention (as they surely will), but rather simply *being*, in order to provide a neutral and (hopefully) holy place to pray, whether for thanksgiving or in sorrow or anger.
— We will be offering different kinds of group worship throughout the day, both observing the Daily Offices, and including other forms between them.
— Everything we do will be attentive to what is going on in convention, but not caught up in it (hopefully).
— Finally, and this is in accordance with what was discussed in San Francisco at the last y'all come, the Chapel isn't *THE* Anglimergent presence at General Convention, since there's no such thing. Instead, we are a group of people, all of whom have met and gathered with the help of the Anglimergent network, who are doing this ministry with the church. As such, we're not trying to be anything authoritative or representative, but merely to do ministry.
The booth we have been generously donated will be a 10' x 10' space with a big wall in the back and four foot walls to the right and left. The plan is to erect a pavilion-style tent (like you see at soccer games) and decorate it on the outside with white cloth, and on the inside with cushions, icons, and other seating arrangements. the hope is to have music playing, and perhaps a projector onto a screen in the back, along with whatever other lovely ideas the group develops between now and then. The hope is to create a welcoming, uncluttered, and beautiful holy space in which to pray and offer worship.
As ever, all are invited to join in this work. It should be wonderful and hopefully will help to bring down the tension for at least a few people at Convention. If you'd like to help out, please check the Google calendar here, and sign up!
Hope to see you all there in July!
Pax,
Andy Shamel
Bertie Pearson
Stasi McAteer
John McAteer
We outlined some basic principles for what we're doing:
— We are modeling the Chapel on an ideal medieval monastic practice; that is, we pray with and for anyone who comes, without concern for politics, but with a concern for context.
— To that end, we will not be "taking sides" in any of the events that take place at convention (as they surely will), but rather simply *being*, in order to provide a neutral and (hopefully) holy place to pray, whether for thanksgiving or in sorrow or anger.
— We will be offering different kinds of group worship throughout the day, both observing the Daily Offices, and including other forms between them.
— Everything we do will be attentive to what is going on in convention, but not caught up in it (hopefully).
— Finally, and this is in accordance with what was discussed in San Francisco at the last y'all come, the Chapel isn't *THE* Anglimergent presence at General Convention, since there's no such thing. Instead, we are a group of people, all of whom have met and gathered with the help of the Anglimergent network, who are doing this ministry with the church. As such, we're not trying to be anything authoritative or representative, but merely to do ministry.
The booth we have been generously donated will be a 10' x 10' space with a big wall in the back and four foot walls to the right and left. The plan is to erect a pavilion-style tent (like you see at soccer games) and decorate it on the outside with white cloth, and on the inside with cushions, icons, and other seating arrangements. the hope is to have music playing, and perhaps a projector onto a screen in the back, along with whatever other lovely ideas the group develops between now and then. The hope is to create a welcoming, uncluttered, and beautiful holy space in which to pray and offer worship.
As ever, all are invited to join in this work. It should be wonderful and hopefully will help to bring down the tension for at least a few people at Convention. If you'd like to help out, please check the Google calendar here, and sign up!
Hope to see you all there in July!
Pax,
Andy Shamel
Bertie Pearson
Stasi McAteer
John McAteer
Comment
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Comment by Anthony Charles Thurston on June 22, 2009 at 10:32am - Thanks for all the good work in preparing for this chapel. I am hopeful, of course, that lots of people take advantage of the quiet time and meditation time that you have so carefully provided. Anthony Thurston
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Comment by Rachel Swan on June 5, 2009 at 10:18am
- Thanks for all the thoughts and good work. I am sure I will see you! Blessings.
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Comment by Michelle Harvey on May 31, 2009 at 5:23pm - I'll be hanging out there a LOT, I'm sure! ;)
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Comment by Vincent Karl Schwahn Ryckman on May 31, 2009 at 4:53pm
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I love the idea of the ¨floating¨ chapel. How much we need that quiet presence at Convention.
I wont be there but will be praying for the church in the USA. There are great things happening in the
church there I believe....you are an inspiration to me and to many of us anglicans living in Mexico.
Thank you for your Witness.......you have our prayers and hopes for a spirit filled space! Vincent
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Comment by Eric on May 29, 2009 at 1:45pm - I also won't be there, but your Chapel sounds like a blessing for those who may need to take a break, pray or study the Daily Office. Sounds very holy.
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Comment by Tim Mathis on May 26, 2009 at 5:48pm - This sounds perfect. I'm not going to be there, but I might be sending some folks your way!
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