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Youth Worship Youth Caucus Worship Committee |
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Youth Worship Youth Caucus Worship Committee |
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The living tradition we share draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life:
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transcending power of love;
Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision.
These were the opening words of the second Youth Caucus worship of this, our 40th anniversary General Assembly, seven individual voices combining, one to a line, to express to the assembled masses as a whole this larger ideal of our denomination. The idea was to follow in the youth worship the theme of the larger assembly -- that of claiming our heritage. The Youth Caucus Worship Committee put together a program that utilized elements from all of the religiously pluralistic sources mentioned in the statement, which is immediately prefaced by our Purposes and Principles in the most recent hymnal.
We are a circle within a circle with no beginning, and never ending...
These were the words of the chant that saw over 300 youth spiraling into the circles that are the most traditional format for youth worship. The chalice was lit, and readings from (gasp!) the Judeo-Christian bible (Love, Unity, and Humility Recommended), as well as a traditional Judaic prayer (which this humble reporter was unable to acquire). The group was then divided into four concentric circles: two rings of persons facing each other. Each person was instructed to take the hands of, and look into the eyes of the person facing them. This is pushing boundaries, poking at the 'comfort bubble.' This is looking into someone's soul, and not being able to defend yourself with words; you have only your eyes, and your smile to speak.
This ritual was followed by the reading of a traditional Zen story:
A hermit was meditating by a river when a young man interrupted him. "Master, I wish to become your disciple," said the man. "Why?" replied the hermit. The young man thought for a moment. "Because I want to find God."
The master jumped up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him into the river, and plunged his head under water. After holding him there for a minute, with him kicking and struggling to free himself, the master finally pulled him up out of the river. The young man coughed up water and gasped to get his breath. When he eventually quieted down, the master spoke. "Tell me, what did you want most of all when you were under water."
"Air!" answered the man.
"Very well," said the master. "Go home and come back to me when you want God as much as you just wanted air."
The worship was ended with the singing of 'We Will Get There,' led by our Worship Committee coordinator type, the fabulous Elka!Reported for the Web by Joanna Calvin
General Assembly 2001 · Program Grid
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