The conversation has already begun: it was great seeing so many people at Idlewild Park for Reno’s Earth Day yesterday! Last fall our church started a Green Team, so getting out there for Earth Day seemed like the right thing to do. Lots of families stopped by to hear Shaun tell stories and share songs with kids. Many adults also checked out our sample copy of the new Green Bible (the whole Bible, with passages referring to creation in green print).

We also extended an invitation to the adults: come to Breathe next Sunday, when our worship will focus on caring for creation. It’s a good time to relax, give thanks for God’s good creation, acknowledge some of humankind’s ill effects on our world, and pray that this confession and gratitude

• help us care for the earth through our choices and actions, in our households and communities
• will be sustained not for only one special day, but for all the days.

See you there!

With lots of other research, Dr. Luskin says: breathing is good. Obviously–without breath, we don’t last long. But he’s talking about deep breathing, which is unusual for most of us who breathe shallowly most of the time. In contrast, deep breathing calms down our bodies’ fight-or-flight response to stress, and it’s how we convince our bodies that we are safe.

This safety is particular important to forgiveness, he says. Without it, we’re pretty much stuck with the belief “in our bones” that we’re in danger and will always be wronged. Hard to forgive with that feeling.

So, add it to the list of reasons I’m grateful for Breathe: a chance to sit and breathe deeply. Practicing gratitude and compassion are a bonus. All are appropriate for this season of Easter, when forgiveness (of a person, a situation, oneself, God, etc.) is often a way that Jesus brings new life with ”a breath of fresh air.”

Thanks to Bob Blesse who took the photos, and to Steve Marshall, who made the cross especially for Breathe. We asked him for “a cross that looks like it can hold some burdens”–since the cross is brought down to the floor for “Prayer around the Cross,” and people can kneel around it and “lay down their burdens.” This one can definitely do that–for most people, it takes two to lift it!

In any case, I’m glad when people tell me how relaxing and meaningful the quiet worship is. And here are some other things I know: People are joining in with the singing (especially the Taize songs they are getting familiar with). Many do leave their seats during the prayer time to visit the prayer stations and reflect in different ways based on that week’s theme (that’s the “experiential” part of “contemplative, experiential worship”). Everyone is respectful of others’ quiet, meditative space (that’s the “contemplative” part…). And I noticed that many people came back after the first week–that seems good, at least, when people show up!

In the next week or two we’ll ask the question and, I hope, get some idea of where people are finding “consolation” and “desolation” in Breathe. (Thanks for reminding me of those terms in this context, Shaun. They’re from St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, who taught people to discern the movements of God’s Spirit. Briefly: “Consolation” refers to places/things/attitudes/times in which people draw closer to God, and “desolation” is the opposite.) For now, I hope many more people can experience Breathe in the next three weeks, and help us discern whether there’s a longer-term need/opportunity for such a worship in this town, at this church, at this time.

March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

more about this worship experience

Have questions or want to be involved? Email us