The Esther Project

This monday The Esther Project gathers for supper and conversation around the Sacred Story.

Our portion for August is Isaiah 5:1-7Isaiah 5:1-7
English: World English Bible - WEB
5 ¹ Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. ² He dug it up, Gathered out its stones, Planted it with the choicest vine, Built a tower in its midst, And also cut out a winepress therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, But it yielded wild grapes. ³ “Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Please judge between me and my vineyard. ⁴ What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild grapes? ⁵ Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall of it, and it will be trampled down. ⁶ I will lay it a wasteland. It won’t be pruned nor hoed, But it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it.” ⁷ For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah his pleasant plant: And he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; For righteousness, but, behold, a cry of distress.
WP-Bible plugin, in which Isaiah takes a traditional song of the wine harvest and reinterprets it to speak of God’s relationship with Israel and Judah.

In the gospel account of Luke (and Mark and Matthew), this interpretation is reinterpreted in a parable about wicked tenants.

How might we interpret these stories to make meaning for our lives today?

What might these stories lead us to discover about God’s relationship with us, with our world in our time?

Enter the Story, enter the Song, Monday 2 August 7.30 pm at the Effective Living Centre, 26 King William Road Wayville.

The Esther Project welcomes people from all faith traditions and none to share in the life of this community of faith, of story, of creativity – especially those who may be looking for new ways of being church.

Plenty of talk about the election, but no statements yet from either party about an arts policy. To cast your vote for the arts, head to the ABC’s online poll about policy areas you’d like to hear more about. http://www.abc.net.au/thedrum/polls/

my reflections on our evening of prayer came out as something of a prose poem …

when you ponder prayer that names God you wonder what name shall we use? you consider the “Father” problem and wonder if “Mother” fixes anything after all. you explore the nature of naming and the gift it is to give your name – the handle it offers to another to understanding, knowing some part of who you are

when you ponder prayer that honours this name, whatever name you choose to utter, you see that part of the honouring is the acknowledging of the inadequacy of any name we could ever ascribe to    .  you realise that when we think in all our cleverness that we understand God as Father Son and Spirit, or even Creator Redeemer Sustainer, we in fact know very little at all. and you begin to wonder could we return to a way of existing within the mystery depicted in the stories of the ancient followers of God.

when you ponder prayer that asks and seeks and knocks you recall times when we have taken these words so literally that we have misunderstood their meaning and been deflated, disappointed. you lament the damage that we do when we try to explain the mystery of God’s hearing and God’s answering. and you hope that we might do better with our persevering, and our trusting, and our looking for the Sacred in the midst of all our living.

when you ponder the prayer that asks forgiveness as it affirms our forgiving you are humbled and in all honesty confess we find it so very hard to forgive – the fighter pilot in war and the enemy shooting at your plane – minority groups oppressed by dangerous fundamentalist regimes – citizens whose leaders enter your country into a war you don’t want to fight. and you get to talking politics in light of the election, the leaders you have no time for and hope they will not be returned, the leaders you respect, who you want to thank and thank God for them, and to whom you offer a challenge to get some more things right – honouring the humanity of assylum seekers – treading more lightly on our planet – integrity and wisdom – the pursuit of freedom for all.

when you ponder praying the kingdom of God, you realise that all along that’s just what we’ve been doing, gathered as followers of Jesus who teaches us to pray and shows us glimpses of the reign of God among us.

when you ponder how to pray you find yourself in prayer and cannot help but praise, in humility, returning once again to grace, for all creation and humanity, and you catch a glimpse of mystery – a kingdom prayed into being, prayed in love.

Sarah Agnew

in Luke’s story of Jesus, Jesus’ disciples asked him ‘how do we pray?’ and he gave them some clues, and encouraged them to continue to come to God in prayer

tonight’s space is an invitation to explore the different ways we pray – naming God – praying the kingdom – confessing and forgiving – persevering, asking, seeking, knocking

if you wonder about prayer, pray often or not at all, are not certain anyone is listening when you pray, are sure you’ve had a prayer answered – you are welcome

26 King William Road Wayville, 7.30 pm, supper provided

The 10th National Biblical Storytelling Gathering is happening on 24 – 26 September 2010. And for the first time, the national gathering is happening in South Australia!

These gatherings have been, for me, times of warm community, vibrant creativity; they have been inspirational, renewing, and so much fun! So I have no hesitation inviting you all to be a part of this gathering.

This gathering promises all this and more.

Steve Taylor will share from his experience as a pastor in communities of faith: he brings us examples of gospel stories reimagined, and a process for helping people to shape and tell their own stories.

Workshops will also build up skills in telling the biblical story, including using different media and Godly Play; reflect on story and healing; explore story and music, story and worship.

Each year participants are invited to take part in an Epic Telling – a longer story is broken into smaller portions that each person prepares and then tells in order. It is a remarkable way to tell and to hear the biblical stories.

This year following the epic telling we will hold something of a birthday party to celebrate this tenth gathering, which promises to be a celebration of, dare I say it … epic proportions!

I encourage you to consider coming to the gathering, and to spread the word among your networks. Who among your communities tells the biblical story and would appreciate the opportunity to gather with others who tell the story, the opportunity to build up their skills? Who among your communities is passionate about the role that story plays in the wholeness of our humanity? Please encourage them to participate in this gathering for their refreshment, to be equipped, and to be affirmed in their gifts as tellers of stories that bring us to life.

The flyer is here, outlining the weekend, and including the registration form. Note that a significant discount applies for those who register early!

Earlier in the year we encountered the resurrection stories as stories of Jesus restoring voice to those who are silent. The story of Elijah’s retreat from persecution, his rest, his mountaintop encounter with God in the silence (1Kings 19:1-15), invited us to consider silence in a different way, as retreat, renewal, and a stillness of mind, body and spirit in which we encounter God. 

Points of reflection through this story include: 

retreat into the wilderness

the sustaining and nurturing we find in God

encountering God not in the rushing wind, or the earthquake, or the roaring fire – but in sheer silence

we are called on – God restores our health and wholeness so that we might participate in the restoration of health and wholeness to others

A commissioning: 

Go now, proclaiming to all how much

Jesus has done for you.

Be as one with each other in Christ.

Wait for the Lord, and be ready to hear God’s voice,

even in the sounds of sheer silence.

And may God be your fortress;

May Christ Jesus release you from all that torments you;

And may the Holy Spirit give you light and truth to sustain you day and night.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,

In the name of Christ.

Amen.

2001 Nathan Nettleton; www.LaughingBird.net

The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls, and tenement halls, and whispered in the sound of silence (Simon & Garfunkel) … the word of God whispered to Elijah on the mountain … enter the silence – The Esther Project Contemplative worship space, Monday 21 June, 7.30 pm, Effective Living Centre 26 King William Road Wayville

New directions

Last evening, and over the past few weeks, members of the Esther Project community have spent some time reflecting on where The Esther Project is at the moment, heading into winter with a still small group who gather around the story.

Following some concerns about energy levels during the cold winter months, and the continued uncertainty around the long term future of The Esther Project, and affirmation of the opportunity we have in our gatherings to a) enter into deep and honest conversation about the story in a way that affirms the discoveries we each make as we encounter the biblical story, and b) take time out for contemplation, silence, song, prayer, and community, we propose a change to the pattern of gathering.

We are going to try meeting for supper and conversation on the first monday of the month, and for contemplation and supper on the third monday of the month – with the same focus story for each gathering in the month.

So for June, we will gather around the story of Elijah’s encounter with God on the mountain in 1 Kings 19:1-151 Kings 19:1-15
English: World English Bible - WEB
19 ¹ Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. ² Then Jezebel send a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don’t make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. ³ When he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. ⁴ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. ⁵ He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and, behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat. ⁶ He looked, and, behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drink, and laid him down again. ⁷ The angel of Yahweh came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you. ⁸ He arose, and ate and drink, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the Mount of God. ⁹ He came there to a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, and he said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah? ¹⁰ He said, I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. ¹¹ He said, Go forth, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh. Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake: ¹² and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. ¹³ It was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, there came a voice to him, and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? ¹⁴ He said, I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. ¹⁵ Yahweh said to him, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when you come, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria;
WP-Bible plugina.

The first monday of the month, next monday 7 June, will be a conversation-based gathering over supper, with time for reflection on the story and prayer.

The third monday of the month, monday 21 June, will be a contemplative gathering of silence, song, response, prayer, with supper to follow.

We continue to include supper in our gatherings, as hospitality, food and wine were central to the life and ministry of Jesus.

We continue to offer art supplies for creative responses to the story in various media.

And we continue to be a community of faith, of story, of creativity, welcoming those of Christian or other faith traditions or none, to enter the story of God’s way of love in the world.

Extending the invitation to gather with The Esther Project

Postcards will be coming out in the next few weeks, which we will distribute in places where storytelling, creative people gather who might appreciate an invitation to gather with such a community. I’ll email the postcards to the mailing list, and will be happy to send out actual postcards if you have places in which to distribute them, people you would like to invite: email contactus@estherproject.unitingchurch.org.au to go on the mailing list, or to request postcards.

Fresh Expressions Resourcing event

a reminder, too, that Dave Male (UK, author of Church Unplugged) is visiting Adelaide this month, to explore with us some more some of the issues surrounding fresh expressions of church. For more information, and to download a brochure, go to http://missionresourcing.net.au/happenings/davemale.html or email Heather Bald, hbald@sa.uca.org.au As part of the visit, Dave will be the guest at [re]generate on Wednesday 16 June: Astor Hotel, 6.30 – 9.00, meals from $10. Call 8416 8427 by 11 June to book a seat at the table.

Last evening we gathered again to delve further into the story of Pentecost.

We began with some music from Ikon’s album Dubh (available from Proost), to guide our memories through the stories of our week – stories we have lived or heard, read or watched; stories that have moved us deeply, challenged or inspired, evoked laughter or questions or discoveries. And then we shared some of these stories – we have been inspired, we have mourned and wondered about how much we ever know of another’s story, we have celebrated baptisms in the days since our last gathering.

The story of Pentecost has continued to reverberate through our days, and we heard from Michelle via this website, her favourite reflection on the Spirit, which we do not know where it blows from or to … a song of Trish Watts’ also speaks of this movement of the Spirit, and we heard that.

As we took time to reflect again on the story of Pentecost, these wonderings emerged:

what does it mean that all these people will prophesy? (Acts 2:17-18Acts 2:17-18
English: World English Bible - WEB
17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God, That I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. ¹⁸ Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
WP-Bible plugin) do prophets see the future, or do they see things as they are now and name them?

did Peter have those words of the prophet Joel on the tip of his tongue, would he have paraphrased, would Luke (the author of Acts) have drawn on a written source for the correct quotation? (Acts 2:17-21Acts 2:17-21
English: World English Bible - WEB
17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God, That I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. ¹⁸ Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. ¹⁹ I will show wonders in the sky above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. ²⁰ The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. ²¹ It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
WP-Bible plugin) would the memories of the people in those days have worked differently to ours, given lower levels of literacy, and the nature of their oral culture?

how eery, frightening might the content of the prophecy from Joel have been, for Joel’s hearers, or for Peter’s? how different was the understanding of when the end of the age might come for the people in Jerusalem at that time?

and we were all struck for the first time about the shift from ‘your sons and your daughters’ to ‘my slaves’ – and wondered what it might mean for God (for Joel / Peter speak the word of the Lord here) to be speaking of my slaves – is God referring to actual slaves, or to some other group of people to whom God refers as slaves … and we think we might spend some time in coming days and weeks wondering around this part of the passage.

The invitation now is for you to enter the story too, and to enter the conversation of wondering about the story – what do you wonder? what do our wonderings evoke for you?

Post a comment, continue the conversation, and meet each other in the story.

We have begun our encounter with the story of Pentecost. 

Starting with the elements of the ascension and pentecost stories, we considered what has seemed like cloud or wind or fire or earth in our story this past week. There is fire in community and conversation, in new ideas; there is cloud and wind and fire in an inspiring encounter with the story of the ascension. 

We remembered that in some ways pentecost is every day. And we heard a poem by Stewart Henderson of that name: ‘Pentecost is Every Day.’ 

Wondering about the Ascension story, we wondered about the story of Elijah’s ascension on a chariot; and we wondered what it would be like for Jesus to have said to you – ‘you will be my witnesses’ – for him to have believed in you to that extent; and we wondered about the message of the two men in white robes, when they ask why are you looking towards heaven, are they challenging the disciples to live the gospel? 

Wondering about the story of Pentecost, we wondered about the phrase ‘living in Jerusalem’ – were they living there or visiting from far off lands (or was it a prolonged stay for the 50 days between Passover and Pentecost)?; we wondered what a difference it makes to our understanding of the story to hear it as metaphor; and we wondered about whether the reality might have been more like relationships being built over time, to the point where the people could ask, and Peter could speak, and they could want to know how to respond to the radical way of love incarnate in Jesus Christ. 

We wondered about how we are sent by God, having encountered God in this story of Spirit and community and love. 

How might you be sent into the story of cloud, wind, fire, earthly body?