Spark!

(Fired Up for Jesus*) 

Having spent time following Jesus as the great elder, packing and repacking for the journey, exploring mutuality, becoming whole and the improvisation that is inherent to the journey from base camp, we head into recognizing the spark of the present moment. Taking a look at the lectionary texts from the book of Revelation - yes, Revelation! - we pay attention to where the Spirit is inviting us to be kindom co-creators. We pay particular attention to Trinity’s practices of listening and participating. 

*Play on bad VBS titles.: This year we embark on a journey. We have spent considerable time in the last several years working through our own healing journeys that have included stepping into lament and celebration and this year the Spirit seems to be taking us on a trip together again. We imagine ourselves preparing for a long hike, think Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trail. Hikes that a number of people have written and told stories about, often highlighting the ways the journey allowed them to reclaim themselves in some ways and discover themselves in other ways. Y’all know we love a good title for our sermon series and we decided to lean into the idea of reclaiming a part of our stories that seemed lost when we had to throw out theology that caused us harm. We’re going back to Vacation Bible School this year! We hope that the series titles offer opportunities for us all to joyfully “repack our bags”.

Quick Links:

• Week by week

• Discussion Prompts

• Parent Cue

• Resources

April 27: The Spark - Forming the Kindom (Revelation 1:4-8)

May 4:  The Spark Among the Myriads (Revelation 5:11-14)

May 11: The Spark - Out of the Great Ordeal (Revelation 7:9-17)

May 18:  Spark! Co-Creation (Revelation 21:1-6)

May 25th: Memorial Day weekend Brunch

June 1: Spark(le)! + Baptism Sunday (Revelation 22:12-21)

June 8/Pentecost: The Spark - All Become Children + Intro/bridge to summer series (Romans 8.14-17)

• What is sparked in you as you read and engage with this week’s text? What’s new, fresh, challenging?

• What invitation to being in the present moment do you sense the Spirit inviting you to in this season? 

• Describe the ways in which the practice of listening is stirring in you today? What are you noticing about yourself? 

• Where might you/we need to be stretched in the practice of participation, as we grow in community - being co-creators? How are you feeling drawn in, withdrawn, stagnant?

• With whom do you experience a profound sense of mutuality and togetherness? How might you lean into that/those relationships in the days/seasons ahead?  

• In what ways is your understanding of the Kindom being expanded?

Parent CuE & ALL AGES:

Mindfulness Cards

Kids:

The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague

The Big Book of Belonging by Yuval Zommer

Chik Chak Shabbat by Mara Rockliff

Young Adult:

UNpregnant by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan (also a film)

Books, Articles & FILMS:

Active Listening Resource - from the EFT Clinic or Center for Creative Leadership

Deep Canvassing - This technique, used in political settings, helps people with different views better understand their own experiences and those of others. Similar to Active Listening, the article shares data on why it works and how to use it. We encourage you to read it not through a political lens, but as a tool for deeper self and relational understanding.

Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction by Alice Fryling

Out of My Mind (film)

Music:

Indy Trinity Music on Spotify (also a great way for children to learn songs in order to more fully participate in Gatherings) 

(image credit: Alpert Wang)