This fall we have been rediscovering the ancient practice of Sabbath: finding our way back to a rhythm set out by God from the very beginning. We have been invited to return, to return is to remember our own fundamental identity, and to remember who God is; celebrating God’s constant Presence in everything that is.
Advent is typically a time where everything gets ramped up,and we wondered how to resist that in a season where we feel God urging us to enter Sabbath rest. With that in mind, our theme for Advent is “Simple Christmas”, which will include the opportunity on 2 Sundays (Dec 4 & 11), to walk a labyrinth set up in the worship center. A labyrinth is a prayer walk, symbolizing a desire to walk to the center…to our center, and to God’s center. To walk the labyrinth is to intentionally dial down all the other voices that cry for our attention in this season, and to simply clear a space where we just put one foot in front of the other with an intention to find rest in the center of God’s heart.
One of the things that is unique about Seeds is that we trust that there is permission to experiment—to not be confined to always doing things the way we have done them, and although that may “rattle” us a bit, we trust there are good surprises in store!
On Dec 4 & 11, the worship center will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. There will be a variety of options each morning. When you walk in, you can have some coffee and food and connect with others in the cafe and gathering area. When you’re ready, you can enter the worship center to walk the labyrinth, to light a candle, to have communion, to draw, to journal, to read a scripture text and reflect on a few questions. You may choose to participate in any or all of these options. It will be self guided, and there is no right or wrong way to enter. You can walk the labyrinth with a friend, with a child, or on your own.
The hope is to prepare for the celebration of Immanuel in a way that brings rest, trust, hope, and joy to us and those around us.
Childcare for ages 3-6 for Dec. 4 & 11 will be provided as usual from 11:00-11:45 am.