Meanwhile in Erskineville

As part of our efforts to strengthen community we had an idea to run an informal get together with a few locals. The idea came from a German friend recently. During Octoberfest and at other times in the year they traditionally have a frühschoppen (‘beer-before-mid-day’). Which was a gathering straight after church in the pub of the old men to talk politics, religion, or anything controversial.

The name of our blog is sometimes shortened and friends use it as a name for our group. It sounds a bit odd to people who hear it. But the name 'meanwhile' actually defines us well. As Christians we believe that the great but troubled story of history will one day be brought to a close by the goodness of God. The final pages of the bible, revelation 21, give us an image of the end of all things, when God will dwell with people - wiping away all tears, bringing to an end death and pain. The whole bible explains that God is present and active in our world; our creator and the one who is working towards the redemption of all things. We were designed to dwell with God. People everywhere are seeking that spiritual something. That something is, we believe, to dwell with God. Today our ability to dwell with God is frustrated by all kinds of issues and obstacles. We look forward the day it will be fully experienced. But ‘meanwhile’ Jesus taught us the way to start to experience that everyday of our lives. The bible explains that God is ultimately powerful - Jesus calls this the ever-present kingdom of God. But God's kingdom is being unveiled in a subversive and unexpected way - rather than using force against people positioned in opposition to God, Jesus went on to die on a cross to signal the coming end of the whole situation of evil, brokenness and pain; inviting anyone and everyone to realign their lives to the purposes of God. So ‘meanwhile' we take part in this great reversal by the way we live, the causes we join and the things we say. Our lives together declare what Gods doing. When we lay aside our opposition to God and accept his invitation, he enters into our lives with his peace. The English word peace doesn't cover all that the Hebrew word contains. Restful, calm, harmony, justice, respect... We long for peace in life... and ‘meanwhile’ we practice this sort of peace. We find a depth to life lived in sync with God that is rich and beautiful. Our lives are part of a bigger picture. We don't live like there's no tomorrow, our story is a 'meanwhile' threaded into the great story of God's love and purpose.

Thus we follow the examples of our forebears by incorporating slow practices in our Sunday worships. We had a walk in slow paces like pilgrims did in Medieval Ages. We made a lunch the slow way like peasants did in Biblical Times. And we prayed. Slowly. Reconnecting with God and with each other in fellowship.

thegotribe.com

(photo by ogio)

This week we helped our indigenous neighboors celebrate Naidoc week in Redfern. Early Sunday morning a few of us helped shift tables, chairs, marques and even a large jumping castles into Redfern park for Family Culture Day. At 9am, as planned, we broke away from the festivities for coffee and a simple church gathering in the park. By this stage it felt like we had been worshiping god all morning in supporting our community. We sat and processing issues of faith and reading Matthew 6:13 we were reminded that he is our life line and guide. After church, some of us stayed on through the day for the climax of the program, the first grade rugby match. In front of a roaring home crowd, we celebrated the hard fought victory of the Redfern All Blacks.

The past couple of weeks we’re been rediscovering prayer together. Jesus taught us to speak to ‘our’ father, which has triggered a daily call to prayer at unexpected moments via sms.

IMAGE CREDITS: ABC Open Top End<\a>

More from our revive alt worship workshop here...

We've been thinking about ways to really celebrate and enjoy God as a bunch of small faith communities together.  This week we decided to gather for a Champagne breakfast.   We discovered people didn't take much persuasion.  It was a glorious spring morning, people arrived in ones and twos, and joined the party.  All we asked at the door was that they find one person they didn't know and ask them how they've seen the goodness of  god in the past few weeks. Later  we had a few brief moments of formality. A few people had come prepared to give a toast to the goodness of God, based on  scripture. The practice of drinking a toast goes back to the late 17th century, and originated in naming a lady whose health the company was requested to drink, the idea being that the lady's name flavoured the drink like the pieces of spiced toast that were traditionally placed in wine. As the people of God we have even more reason to celebrate.  We are grateful for all he's done and we are eagerly awaiting Jesus' return and the renewal of all things. And so the goodness of God flavours everything we do, even the food and drink.

This Easter felt very exotic as we toured four Easter events around the city together.  It began Thursday night in york st with a requiem mass from the 1600s.   The music performed by sydney's  philharmonic choir was so moving that a few of us actually experienced moments of transcendence that night.  On good Friday we went to Leichhardt where the story was retold using a series of short pieces by Bach.  Then on Saturday evening we jumped into the twenty first century and took part in the ambient Easter mass at smallboatbigsea in Manly with music mixed by live DJ. The final gathering was our own, which really topped it off. We gathered on resurrection Sunday morning in the gardens of Centennial Park.  It was fitting that we recounted the moment in the garden where Mary's tears were turned to joy (John 20).   We were reminded that ultimately God doesn't just meet our expectations, he far exceeds them.  

This month a few of us joined smallboatbigsea in celebrating their tenth anniversary at their TEN conference. Thanks smallboat!  We owe a lot to you for your brave new ways that have inspired so many churches who are seeking relevance and authenticity in their church gatherings. Here's a tedtalk style presentation from the anniversary conference - confessions of a genx call girl by Elizabeth Scott.

Jesus of Montreal - Last week we got together to watch and discuss this controversial film from the late 80's. No matter what you think of the films theology, the film enfolds a moving tale of an actor ( daniel ) seeking to live as Christ did. It begins when he tackles what he says is the ultimate challenge, playing Jesus in an experimental theatrical performance of the passion. Daniel and his friends rediscover themselves in the process in a way that is familiar to people I know when they've begun to follow Jesus. They drop everything to 'follow' Daniel and do drama they can believe in, they find liberation, authenticity and community. While everyone else seem shonky, shaky or shallow, Daniel is free from all that and shines as secure, authentic and balanced. This incredible experience of personal discovery is a beautiful reminder of the power of the gospel. However on its own it falls way short of the whole gospel message. Unlike daniel, Christ didn't find himself through selfless generosity. Watching this movie you could completely miss the point of why Jesus died and miss the unfolding plan of God that Jesus talks about and which he invites us into. But that aside, scene by scene Daniel's journey is powerful because it confronts our tendency for unquestioning conformity. Daniel confronts hypocritical conservatism in the local catholic church and he explodes in rage when women actresses are treated as sexual objects at an audition for a television commercial. Who defines good? The film reminds me of the well groomed, well-to-do man in the bible who politely addresses Jesus: "good teacher...". Jesus responds: Why do you call me 'good'? (Luke 18:18-30). Jesus point is to confront blind self-righteousness.  Jesus says only God is good, he then challenges him to dispense with his riches and causes everyone listening to question if its possible for anyone to be good enough. The film is confronting in a similar way.  May be Jesus doesn't approve of everything we've been conditioned to accept. 

I know that things have not always been so easy for you.  That there have been hard times, even recently.  That you aren't quite sure where you are going or whether God has a good plan for you.  But remember this.  You are deeply good.  You are accepted just as you are. God always has time for you and knows everything about you.  You are loved, just as you are.  You're beautiful soul delights God. And yes, there are good thing and good gifts to come.

Last week we hit the Newtown markets together and joined over 20,000 people who had descended on the local neighborhood park. Ours is a very intentional bunch of friendships. While friendship alone doesn't constitute 'church', we believe friendship is essential. If you say you're in a church, but don't feel the bond of friendship, if church is simply an event where you pay your respects to God - we say you've actually failed to find a true church. Church must be a completely personal and relational affair. How else would we do those things scripture talks about in church like warning, advice, encouragement and practical care?

Gathering on Sunday over a late lunch has really helped people to unwind and relax. This week we rolled our own pizza dough and when everyone had arrived we sat down together and shared the week that was.  We took time to process how life and faith had worked together this week. Each week after lunch we take time to connect with God. This week we all went out and walked in different directions on the wet streets looking for beauty in things that we'd otherwise overlook. One person took interest the clouds, another by cracks in the pavement and another by fresh little leaves. Most felt somehow earthed by the experience, and reminded of the goodness of God.  We finished as usual by studying the scriptures together and breaking bread to remember Jesus.  

Thanks for praying for us and cheering us on. It’s a great comfort to know your support and partnership.