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Circulating around the neighborhood
In his book, People of the Way
, Dwight Zscheile points us toward the 8th century writer Saint John of Damascus and his idea that we Christians bear witness to the relational life of the Trinity when we are "circulating around the neighborhood".
Zscheile writes:
In some ancient cities, it was common for the populace to gather in the evening in a public square and its surrounding streets to stroll, mingle, and greet one another. This fluid movement of people was an expression of community life in which families and strangers made space for one another, and everyone participated in a larger sense of belonging. In the Christian tradition, this "circulating around the neighborhood" came to describe the dynamic, open, shared character of God's communal life.
That sounds like us!
More and more, our shared Good Shepherd ministry centers around finding new and engaging ways to circulate around the neighborhood.
It happened here on Monday as we hosted the Market.
It happened on Tuesday when we hosted Parent Cafe for our local public school, (cookies and punch for the PTA!)
It happened again on Wednesday when we gathered for worship and a shared meal.
And it happened on Tuesday and Thursday as we welcomed a whole group of folks who are working on their high school equivalency diploma.
We are circulating around our neighborhood and it always changes us when we do.
We are learning new ways to participate in a larger sense of belonging and service to the world that is right outside our door. It is the simple and holy work of growing God's kingdom right here and now.
May God continue to bless and empower us
as we circulate around the neighborhood.
See you Sunday!
David
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