Monday, April 02, 2007

st david's mighty tent



Well, everything I have worked out on paper over the past few months is here. The tent is up and we had our first services in it this weekend. After a ton of rain, winds up to 40 mph, and mishaps with the trolley (that is another story for another day...lets just say I was a few phone calls away from completely losing my mind) Sunday was an amazingly beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky. Only a gentle breeze. It was perfect. The picture above is what is left of our church after an arson fire in November. This past Sunday was the first time we had worshipped on our own property since November. It was wonderful to be home. The picture below is of the 120x40 foot tent that has been erected in our parking lot. It will seat about 400 people. What an amazing sight to see that going up.

On Palm Sunday every year we march down to the First Christian Church along with several other churches in our area for the Blessing of the Palms. This is a walk beyond description really. We live in Topeka. A well known group of picketers reside here as well. They picket against the Episcopal Church, soldiers coming home from war, and funerals of those who have died in Iraq. Not a nice group of folks really. They accuse all of the above of being gay and sinners against God. The sign they hold are almost pornographic and say things no one should even have to read. They line the street leading up to the Blessing of the Palms every year. And every year we walk the gauntlet. One of the reasons we wanted to be back on our own property so badly during this season was to walk with our community in unity. In unity against hate and destruction. We wanted to show that we were stronger than any arsonist and any other group that has hate so firmly planted in their hearts.



::Procession to First Christian Church::

:Blessing of the Palms (Abby and Momo in blue robes)::


::The Holy Golf Cart...hey you gotta have some fun too!!::


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really like this post. I feel the same way about "those" people. It was a great feeling to walk as a united community to the church. I feel we showed them how much stronger love and faith are than hate. It was pretty powerul.

Anonymous said...

I didn't mean to click anonymous. This is your crazy neighbor, Lara and the above comment was mine.

Katie Jean said...

I agree, this was a lovely post. I can't believe that people are filled with such hate for others. It is great that your church community walked like that!

Unknown said...

That is a wonderful post. Here's to more people being positive and loving than negative and destructive.

Heidi said...

While I believe in the right to protest and have been in quite a few myself, those are some weird things to protest. congrats on your new space and happy holy week.

African Kelli said...

Bravo! To you and your children and everyone at your church. Jesus would be walking with you and telling us all to look past our differences and love each other!

Renae said...

Hey Heidi. I am giving this blogging thing a spin :0)
the SILVERS lining
We'll see :0) Renae

Anonymous said...

Lisa wants you to make her a Bag