Ring the Bells Sun, 17th February, 2013
Today, in my spiritual journey, I paint on a much broader canvas. The music you are hearing is from the far off and beautiful land of Transylvania.
Later this morning, US time, the bells in the Unitarian church in the village of Csókfalva, Romania will ring for us in celebration of the partnership with First Unitarian. The bells are in the steeple pictured at right.
I am blessed to be collaborating with Rev. Perchlik and committee member Julie Oyen-Keller on a service this morning that will celebrate our relationship with Unitarians a half a world away. Our out-going partner church minister Levente Lázár was very happy to arrange the ringing of the bells to coincide with our church service in St. Louis. Thanks to his enthusiasm, we will be hearing the bells "live" during the service via a Skype connection on the iPad. Ancient bells, the latest technology.
Thank you for taking a moment to visit this very special place with me, the birthplace of the Unitarian faith, which declared to the world as early as 1568 that we need not think alike to love alike (Francis David). May we love alike this day.
I leave you with a pilgrim's prayer that I created many years ago to for one of our Partner Church services. It closes with the bells. Egy az Isten…God Is One.
A Pilgrim's Prayer
O God, who inspires the pilgrimage of seekers:
Help us to find our roots, that our branches may grow wider.
Help us to find inspiration, that we may be called to a purpose greater than ourselves.
Help us to find community, that we may grow and work together to secure our faith, and our faithfulness, across continents and generations.
In the majesty of Transylvania’s mountains, may we find a higher and broader perspective.
In the splendor of the verdant Transylvanian valleys, may we find our own connection to rooted human communities.
In the fresh cracked walnut shared in a village garden, may we find a communion of earth and life.
In the plodding pace of the farmer’s horse-drawn cart, may we find the gift of time for quiet reflection.
In the paring and chopping of garden vegetables for the daily soup, may we find nourishment for our souls.
In the farmer’s daily pairing of plough and palinka, may we find our own daily measure of toil and pleasure.
In the steady, step-by-step climb to the hilltop citadel, may we find the serenity of patient anticipation.
And in the sweet song of church bells, may we find a gentle invitation to find our way home.
Amen
Today, in my spiritual journey, I paint on a much broader canvas. The music you are hearing is from the far off and beautiful land of Transylvania.
Later this morning, US time, the bells in the Unitarian church in the village of Csókfalva, Romania will ring for us in celebration of the partnership with First Unitarian. The bells are in the steeple pictured at right.
I am blessed to be collaborating with Rev. Perchlik and committee member Julie Oyen-Keller on a service this morning that will celebrate our relationship with Unitarians a half a world away. Our out-going partner church minister Levente Lázár was very happy to arrange the ringing of the bells to coincide with our church service in St. Louis. Thanks to his enthusiasm, we will be hearing the bells "live" during the service via a Skype connection on the iPad. Ancient bells, the latest technology.
Thank you for taking a moment to visit this very special place with me, the birthplace of the Unitarian faith, which declared to the world as early as 1568 that we need not think alike to love alike (Francis David). May we love alike this day.
I leave you with a pilgrim's prayer that I created many years ago to for one of our Partner Church services. It closes with the bells. Egy az Isten…God Is One.
A Pilgrim's Prayer
O God, who inspires the pilgrimage of seekers:
Help us to find our roots, that our branches may grow wider.
Help us to find inspiration, that we may be called to a purpose greater than ourselves.
Help us to find community, that we may grow and work together to secure our faith, and our faithfulness, across continents and generations.
In the majesty of Transylvania’s mountains, may we find a higher and broader perspective.
In the splendor of the verdant Transylvanian valleys, may we find our own connection to rooted human communities.
In the fresh cracked walnut shared in a village garden, may we find a communion of earth and life.
In the plodding pace of the farmer’s horse-drawn cart, may we find the gift of time for quiet reflection.
In the paring and chopping of garden vegetables for the daily soup, may we find nourishment for our souls.
In the farmer’s daily pairing of plough and palinka, may we find our own daily measure of toil and pleasure.
In the steady, step-by-step climb to the hilltop citadel, may we find the serenity of patient anticipation.
And in the sweet song of church bells, may we find a gentle invitation to find our way home.
Amen
