"Bread for Our Journey" is an online approach to faith development you can do as an individual, in informal small groups, or as a family.
This weekly collection is curated and written by Saint John's staff.
These reflections are intended to deepen our understanding
of scripture, to open our awareness of different voices and wisdom,
and to broaden our spiritual practices that bring creativity and justice to our world. 
August 15th, 2021
This is the twelveth Sunday after Pentecost.

We continue our worship series called "Sacred Spaces" as we look at sacred spaces both in our own lives and at Bible stories of holy places. Throughout out this series we will be answering these questions: What are the sacred spaces in your life? and what makes certain places sacred?

Read the scripture below and choose how you journey through this week's reflection questions, poetry, activities, and more.
READ
Our scripture for today is taken from the worship reading for this Sunday.

1 Kings 8:1,6,10 and 11

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
 
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.
 
And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD,
 
so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

NRSV Translation
REFLECT ON THE TEXT
Use these questions as prompts to journal
on your own or to reflect in discussion
with family or friends.

Beyond the sanctuary, what are other sacred spaces for you?

The Temple in scripture is often referred to as the "House of God". Why is having a home important? How can you help those that may not have a home?
ACT
These activities can be spiritual practices for your mind, body, and heart, they are ways to help bring love and hope.
Living in Wonder
Each week through this season, we will wonder at a different sacred space from somewhere around the world.

Today we want to highlight two unique types of spaces in Ethiopia - the church forests and the rock-hewn churches. Both these places bring the connection of the holy through the trees and stones - natural resources found and brought to life there.

Click on the video to learn the story of the forest churches.


Loving in Beloved Community

Sacred Spaces often have intentional architecture, some of which is commonplace and have been around for centuries. One architectural feature that has fallen out of fashion in most Christian spaces is the "rood screen".

Originally the rood screen served as a designation between the masses and the priests, between those who could be in the places considered the holiest and those who were not allowed to be there.

As the Church began to teach that the Bible could be read by all and that God is in direct relationship with all, this type of barrier became problematic. Many rood screens were removed, effectively opening the holiest of places to all.

What might be serving as a "rood screen" now? Where is there a barrier between classes or different types of people? What efforts are being made to keep some out of the holy places, or at least make people feel there is a barrier?
And what could we do to take down these walls so that no one is made to feel they are being kept from the Divine?
Resting in God
As we explore sacred spaces we will highlight the holy practice of walking a labyrinth. Each week we will share a new labyrinth in our area to explore.

Click on the video to learn about the labyrinth at the Natural Gardener.

Labyrinths are ancient tools for spiritual practice and can be found all over the world. To find a labyrinth wherever you are, click here to use a labyrinth locator. Put in your zip code, country, and radius of how far you would like to search.
Saint John's labyrinth
The floor of our Saint John's chapel is a beautiful labyrinth patterned in different shades of wood. Next time you attend worship, enjoy this holy space found right inside our church building.

Finger Labyrinth
Use your finger to trace this labyrinth slowly into the middle of the labyrinth – into the heart of God’s love – and then back out again. Relax, quiet your mind, and listen deep within your heart.
PRAY
This week's prayer is adapted from A Blessing for Presence by John O'Donohue:

God-With-Us,
Help us to awaken to your mystery
And guide us to enter the quiet immensity of your presence.
Inspire joy and peace in your temple.
Give us encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May we respond to the call of your gift
And find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free us from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and anxiety never linger about us.
May our outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May we take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
Console us in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May we experience each day as a sacred gift, Woven around the heart of wonder.
May it be so. Amen.

To receive these Bread for Our Journey emails each week,

If you have questions or suggestions for this curriculum, 
click here to email Shelley Walters and Laura Schwarcz.

Saint John's United Methodist Church | 512-452-5737 | stjohnsaustin.org