When it came time to move to a new place, they were not sure that God would be there. They also wondered what the new place would be like.
The above line is from a Godly Play story, describing Abram and Sarai’s sojourn in the desert. But surely, it could describe our last six months as well —or for that matter, our last three years as a church plant!
Our community has pitched camp in many places: on the beaches of Lake Nokomis, in the sweaty gym of the Community Center, on the grass by Lake Hiawatha (with only an hour’s notice!), in the pews of Mt. Zion, on our sofas during quarantine, and most recently, under the brilliant maples of Nokomis Park.
In all of these places, we’ve had reason to ask, alongside our children, “God, are you here? Even in THIS place?” And perhaps on a deeper level, we’ve been tempted to ask, like the Israelites, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?”
Moving to the Parkway
Beginning this Sunday, we will be asking these questions at 48th and Chicago. Is God in this place? And will he provide for us, even here? While I don’t know the specifics, I am full of faith that the answer to these questions is a hearty, “Yes and Amen!” God has been faithful to us in all our previous dwellings and I am confident that he will remain so at the Parkway.
Isn’t it awesome that our children are learning not only on an intellectual level, but from our embodied practice of Sunday worship —that God does not live in temples made by human hands. Don’t get me wrong, if we were to get a church building tomorrow, I would rejoice with great thanksgiving! And in no way, am I trying to make light of the grievous changes that the Coronavirus has foist upon us.
But, as long as we continue sojourning, our children can’t miss the fact that the Church is the community of faithful Christians, not a building! They are making memories of worshipping God in a wide variety of settings. And after a summer of turbulent events on Chicago Ave, their presence at the Parkway will bear witness to the way of Jesus: the true way of mercy, justice, and peace!
Sunday Morning Worship
Now, you might be saying, “My children’s Sunday morning experience doesn’t seem so worshipful for them, or for me!” I hear you on that. Parents, children, and teachers alike are all missing the richness of Sunday School! However, due to the space constraints of the Parkway and present health concerns, we are not able to offer any kind of children’s classes at this time. (This is why we haven’t considered renting from them pre-pandemic.)
So how can we make Sundays “work”? Being outside was such a treat; what are Sunday mornings going to look like in a theater?
Well, we’ve got a bit of an FAQ here. Stay tuned to the Journal for some suggestions on how to embrace Parenting in the Pew, too.
Join Us Saturday
Finally, we’d love to have you join us for our 2nd Family Ministry Day this Saturday. The weather looks amazing. The kids will be exploring God’s promises to Noah, while parents can chat away uninterrupted. And there will be doughnuts, coffee, and cider!
At this event children will also be receiving their own pouches with art supplies that they can use with their worship journals on Sundays. As always, if you’re not able to make it, let me know and we will get these materials to you. It’s so important to us that you have tactile reminders that we are with you and your children in this really hard season!
Blessings to you all as we seek God together!
Much love,
Molly (on behalf of the CLT- Sara, Elise, Emily, Megan & Jess)
