Gift {4th Monday of Advent}

Last night at All Souls, our community surprised us with a poem they had written, expressing what All Souls means for them and has become for them. They had our leaders come to the front, as people stood one at a time reading line by line. It's a powerful gift to stand there and receive words of deep life. It was a beautiful thing. We live within a beautiful community.




On this journey of life 

Between suffering and glory 

Between salvation and resurrection 

Between ruin and redemption 

Our souls need a resting place 




A gathering space to witness the mystery of transformation 

A place to be enveloped by the warm care of community when we are wearied by winter 

So take off your shoes, for you are standing on sacred ground 

God has built us a house of healing from the holy rubble of our lives

It is here that we will be encouraged and refreshed 

It is here that our doubt and despair can be destroyed by love and desire 




So come, we are eagerly awaiting your arrival 

The welcome mat has been rolled out 

And the door lies open for travellers worn from the road 

In the name of Jesus, we say
"Welcome Home" 




It is spacious here 

There is enough room at the table for you 

Love is freely offered in the breaking of bread and passing of the cup 




If you hunger 

Come sup with us 

And you will feast on hope, freedom and authenticity 




If you thirst 

Have a drink with us 

And be warmed, awakened and inspired 




Come 

We will help you hear the voice of Jesus 

Come 

Bloom into the real you

Come 

And find hospitality, restoration and shalom 

Come 

And take the peace of Christ 

For you do not have to walk alone 




Come 

Be known 

Be understood 

Be listened to 

Be artful 

Be open 

Be free 

Be beautiful 

Be warmed and filled 

And take off your shoes 




But, most of all 

Be at home 

For this place has been set aside for us 

The fire has been prepared 

And it is burning with great anticipation 

Eagerly awaiting the arrival 

Of 

Your Soul 

Of 

All Souls


___

Here are two pictures from yesterday's #adventpicaday. Let's do three this final week. That will be the photographer's gift to the rest of us.





Untitled / labtrout





Untitled / marvelissa





Flickering to Life / worth wheeler