Alison and the whale

Who knocks? Who opens the door to the kingdom? A parable.
This was a lectio divina Sunday, so we talked together about Matthew 25:1-13: The parable of the ten bridesmaids. There is no formal sermon, but I finished with a Zen-like story. It’s adapted from John Shea The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers. Year A. On Earth as it is in Heaven. (Collegeville, MN: Order of Saint Benedict, 2004). Image found here.

Why do we use a formal liturgy? Curating time and space.
Background to our current practice. Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 5 November 2017

What can we learn from Moses' style of leadership?
A reflection on Deuteronomy 34:1-12 by Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 29 October 2017 (AP25). Image found here.

We seek the holy as if it is something we can achieve by our own efforts, as if it is to be had on demand: and God loves us so much that God interrupts.
A reflection on Exodus 33:12-23 by Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 22 October 2017 (AP24)

Even if we feel like we’re wandering aimlessly; even if we’re grumbling; even if we’re longing for the old ways, we must remember: these feelings have precedent. The people of God have been here before...
A reflection on Exodus 16:2-15 by Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 24 September 2017 (AP20)

In God’s new creation, dry paths show the way to freedom: so, where are we being led?
A reflection on Exodus 14:19-31 by Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 17 September 2017 (AP19).

As privileged people, we can’t simply claim the story of the Exodus without reflection, repentance, and concrete response. But if we are willing to hear God’s grief and anger at the suffering of the poor; if we are willing to acknowledge the horrors of our past; if we are willing to engage with the violence of our present, then we can move towards a different future.
A reflection on Exodus 12:1-14 by Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 10 September 2017 (AP18)

The church needs a diversity of people, united by a passion for life.
A short reflection bouncing off Exodus 1:8-2:10 by Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 27 August 2017 (AP16), on the occasion of the service of recommitment for the year.

Next week, we reconstitute the congregation for the coming year. So what does this look like here?
A reflection on Genesis 45:1-15 & Psalm 133, Alison Sampson, Sanctuary, 20 August 2017 (AP15)

God’s economy of abundance is not about limitless economic growth, but fullness of life.
A reflection on Genesis 37:1-28 and beyond, given to Sanctuary, 13 August 2017 (AP14).