Our little community here in Sydney has been pretty quiet the last few months. Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve tried to keep up a schedule of activities – if only so that we all have some more opportunities to connect while we might be feeling isolated.
Most of those activities have not been public. I’ve kept attention focused on our existing community members. It’s seemed to me that supporting this community had to be the primary focus if options were limited and energy was low.
Like a lot of us, I’ve got a pretty serious case of lockdown fatigue. I have to admit it’s been easier to just close in on myself and focus on the next minute, the next hour, then next day. Since this current lockdown started in late June, I’ve struggled to organise much beyond keeping my personal life more or less running.
But, last month, we had our first online service in a while and – of course – it was amazing to see each other and to share in silence and prayer together. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the liturgy is food as well as work.
From this month, we’re going to return to public activities – online to start with and, with luck, eventually in-person. You can check out our events calendar, but also make sure you subscribe to the newsletter for updates.
Next Sunday, 26 Sept starting at 5:30pm, I’ll host an online Contemplative Eucharist – it’s public and you’re welcome to come – if it’s your first time or it’s been a while, please let me know you’re planning to come. Some details below.
My plan is to maintain a monthly service from here on, no matter what. We might also add other events – let’s see how our collective levels of energy go.
My blessings and prayers to you, no matter where you are. I hope to see you next Sunday!
Contemplative Eucharist Service
Eucharist (in some churches called The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, the Mass, or the Divine Liturgy) enacts the weaving together of the Divine and the human, and of each of us into a sacred community.
The service is contemplative, so expect a lot of silence (and make sure you are somewhere you can remain in quiet) and be prepared to meditate for 10 minutes.
Resources and Zoom details here: https://sturiels.johannite.org/contemplative-eucharist-online/
Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash