Road Map of Faith

Last night we spent some time talking about waiting: What is involved in waiting?  Why is it so hard?  What is the difference between waiting, wishing and hoping (This conversation made me think of “Wishing and Hoping” by Ani DiFranco that is in the opening credits of “My Best Friend’s Wedding”; but I digress)? 

For a short time we began creating a road map of faith.  Take a piece of paper and begin by writing, drawing symbols, or just drawing a line that will represent the journey.  We used some of the questions below as guidance, but by no means should they keep you from creating a depiction of your journey however you would like.  Map where you have been, where you are, and the people who have been a part of the journey all along the way.  Enjoy!

• Think about the first time you remember being aware of God.  Mark this on your road with a symbol of your choice.
• Remember a time when you felt in aew of God.  What caused you to feel this way?
• When were you baptized?  Do you have memories of this?  What did you wear?  Who was there?  Do you know who baptized you?  How about your first communion?  What is the story behind this?  Was it a special occasion or did it just happen?
• What are your early memories of the church?  Was it a place where you felt accepted?  Who made you feel welcome?  What did you like about church?
• Were you confirmed?  When and where?  What do you remember about this?
• What other life celebrations have been holy for you?  Weddings, funerals, births, graduations, or family gatherings?  Special occasions with friends?  What makes a moment holy for you?
• Who are the people who have blessed your journey of faith?

A question explored…

I have been diligently searching for answers about something that came up last week…just what was it like for Mary and Joseph as she was pregnant with Jesus?  The Gospel tells us that Joseph and Mary did not know one another (read “sex” there…) until after Jesus was born.  But what did this mean for their marriage?  Were they married or did they not officially become married until the knew one another (once again, read “sex” there)?

I have to say that I have been having trouble with this question…researching but no direct answers yet!  I’m still on the hunt but I didn’t want you to think that I had forgotten y’all that asked.

Mapping our journeys

This Wednesday we will have our final YABS before Christmas and New Year’s Eve(s).  Our final Advent study will focus on Luke 1: 39- 56.  You will see that this text continues with Mary’s journey and concludes with her song of praise.  Have you ever thought about your own faith journey?  This week we will explore each of our personal stories by making a road map of our individual faith using some guiding questions.  Then we will share as a group some of the things that have been most meaningful to us and/or brought us to where we are today.

Recap. from 12/10/08

We began the evening by watching a YouTube clip from www.adventconspiracy.org.  If you get a chance to watch it, ask yourself these questions: 1) How would your describe the ideal Christmas?  Have you ever experienced this ideallic celebration?  2) How do the commercial and personal expectations keep us from enjoying the Advent season?  3) The video seems to call us to celebrate Christmas alternatively.  What would happen if you did this?  How would people respond?  4) Finally, reflect on what it would be like to “enter the story” as the video tells us to!

How do you get your news?  Newspaper?  Television?  E-mail?  Internet?  Telephone?  Word of mouth?  Other sources?  Which of these do you trust the most?  Which do you trust the least?  All of these questions led us to reflect on the passage in Luke (see blog entry below) in which an angel visits Mary.  There was a lot of discussion as to how each of us would respond if an angel told us the most important, life changing news of our lives.  This speculation led many of us to wonder how we would or would not trust such an occurance happening to us.  Yet Mary responds, “Here I am” to the angel’s announcement that she will become pregnant!  While the group overall felt as though we were missing some of the story (Really?  Would she accept this change in her life that easily?), it didn’t really change our overall feelings about the text. 

On Tuesday, Joy preached at presbytery and gave this significant fact during her sermon: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=96096983.  Imagine being Mary and accepting an unwed pregnancy while knowing the laws of your own religion and culture!  By law, she could be stoned to death because she becomes pregnant!  This young woman accepted quite a lot onto her own shoulders.  This small excerpt of biblical text also deepened our reading of this passage.

I hope this helps you catch up on YABS.  Next week is our final Advent study before Christmas and New Year’s Eve when we will NOT be meeting.  Come and enjoy discussion during this Advent season!

Receiving a call…

We will be focusing on Luke 1:26-38.  You will see that this chapter highlights Mary’s call to be a part of the story of the coming Messiah.  Have you ever paused to wonder what it meant for a young, unmarried woman to commit to such a request?  How would it change her life?  We’ll use a Reader’s Theater to help us enter into this young woman’s experience.  So, if crafts and singing aren’t your thing…come this week and enjoy a deeper discussion about the gospel of Luke!

If you missed young adult bible study last week and want to keep up with the group, ask me for a handout from last week.  It will take you through some of the names of Jesus, the O Antiphons that are still used in preparation for Christmas, and an exercise to express one name of Jesus through art.

What’s in a name?!

This week we will be focusing on two texts: Isaiah 7: 13-14 and Matthew 1: 18-23.  Names can sometimes be very important.  Have you thought about the meaning of your own name?  Do you know the story behind your given name?  Using the theme of names we will begin our Advent journey as we “pause on the road to Bethlehem.”

Waiting and hoping…

This week’s Advent candle recalled the importance of Hope.  What does it mean to maintain hope in a world of chaos and uncertainty?  How can we be a Hopeful people when we, too, feel confused, lost or see the unknown?  What does it mean to Hope specifically in this Advent season?  I invite you to come to young adult bible study in the coming weeks before Christmas.  Whether you have been a regular attendee or a newcomer, all are welcome!  Come as we journey together and meditate on the Word coming among us.

There are other ways to escape the rush of everyday life and meditate on the meaning of Advent and Christmas.  John Erickson will be playing music from his Christmas album on Thursday, December 4th beginning at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.  It is the official release of his CD…and as you have heard me say in worship, it is a wonderful collection of music!  This Saturday, Dec. 6th from 10 am- 3 pm we will be having the Advent retreat.  There will be a Bible study followed by an art project.  Making the first banner was a lot of fun so I hope you will participate in the making of the remaining three banners.  We will also have lunch together and conclude the afternoon with a Blue Christmas service.

So, friends, let’s begin this Advent journey in hope and anticipation of Christ’s coming among us.