emergent|SA

Since Tim kind of captured the overview, I think I'll skip that part and dive in for just a few words about my experiences on Saturday. I went into the day without having much in my head as far as expectations. I was looking forward to a day of good conversation and the opportunity to meet new people. Both of these were met and I feel that the bonds built up by our conversations will help strengthen us as we try and figure out this whole mess of a life of faith that we attempt to lead. I really appreciated being able to hear a bit about everyone's journey and how they have come to where they are at. It is really exciting to hear someone share their own story in an open manner among people that they can feel safe around. This, I feel, is one of the best things that the Emergent community has going for it, the ability to remain open and nonjudmental about the people whose path it crosses.

I was able to partake in the conversation about how not to talk of God. We kind of began with that and meandered back and forth through several different issues. At the end of our time together, I was left feeling nicely comforted in the knowledge that, while we had significant sharing and openness, we did not reach any solid conclusions. The opportunity to dialogue without leaving the gray areas showers me with comfort.

Lunch was a fun time of sharing songs as well as our drinks with the friendly bees. I still laugh at the nosedives they made into our drinks. Hopefully it was all worth it to them!

The time of solitude was much needed for me. I often attempt to finds moments of peace in my life but they are usually corrupted by the world at hand. My time on the bank of the Guadalupe, staring at cows keeping cool in the river's water helped calm me some and open me up to our rather unorthodox communion that I feel only strengthened the bonds between those of us tied up in this conversation. All in all, the day left me feeling fulfilled and ready for more time spent together, whether in conversation, silence, laughter, or more attempts at unorthodoxy that seems to capture the communal essence of an actual eucharist.

Shabbot Day

As my first post here as a "contributor", I'm going to recap for you our Day of Dialog and Sabbath...

We began the day with a cup of coffee (all fair trade no doubt)  and a scone...blueberry. Before 9am, it was only three of us there and we got to talking about where each other are at and how life has been going.  Its clearly that time of year - time for a sabbath.

By 9:30a there were six of us though and so we dove right in talking briefly about our own personal stories...where we've been and where we are. Some even had a clue about where they might be going. We opened the door (by the way our table we sat at was actually a door where the glass had been filled with grout and tile for a beatiful "new creation" - so we opened the door...and  laid it all out on our table...) After throwing out possible streams of conversation, we broke into two groups around two of the streams. Some of us talked about "fostering community". And others talked about "how not to talk about God". We had lunch and then went to near by Starke Park for an hour of silence and solitude in Heysichia (Greek for Prayer of the Heart). We regrouped and headed for the historic Aumont Tower. On the terrace of this 1916 building we had our evening prayer and our sabbath reflection.

It was a much needed time for sabbath and I we were successful in creating another model for conversation. We went into the day hoping for a day of Praxis (Action & Reflection) and the day proved refreshing, engaging and spiritual.

Thanks to all who were there - it wouldn't have been the same with out yall. Shalom.

The Historic Aumont Tower (1916)

Book Discussion: An Emergent Manifesto of Hope

here at Emergent|SA, we've decided to have our next meeting (mid-May, TBD), in the form of a book discussion of An Emergent Manifesto of Hope. It's the first book in the new emersion line of books — we'll read the essay collection over the next couple of weeks, and get together and discuss once finals are over, etc. we hope you'll grab a copy and join us.


Saturday some of us from San Antonio and Seguin got together and dialogued and practiced sabbath, silence and solitude and then celebrated Eucharist on a second-floor sun-beaten rooftop of a once-beautiful hotel where Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago White Sox supposedly slept during spring training back in the day. i'm hoping Tim or Travis or TJ will blog their thoughts herein:

Reminder: Emergent SA Sabbath

Reminder: tomorrow, Saturday April 28, 2007, is the Day of Dialogue & Sabbath. In Seguin, TX.
If anyone wants to ride with me and Travis, be at my house at about 7:30 tomorrow.

Dialogue & Sabbath

Download the PDF of the Invitation you just read, below.

Emergent|SA: A Day of Dialogue & Sabbath

Dear Friend of Emergent in San Antonio,

Emergent San Antonio invites you into
A Day of Dialogue & Sabbath
April 28, 2007

You’re invited to the major Emergent|SA Cohort event for this spring. The event will be a day of praxis (action + reflection). Jump in your car  — or better, share the half-hour ride — out to a relaxing little internet café in Seguin where we’ll start things off. In the morning we will begin with an “open spaces” dialogue with our cohort lead learners Tim Snyder, Paul Soupiset, and Travis Baker.

If you’re new to, familiar with, or vaguely curious about the emerging church conversation, this slow-paced day is a great way to get to know some kindred spirits, find an on-ramp into the emerging conversation, meet new friends and chill over coffee in Seguin. There will be plenty of time for stillness and personal reflection as well as group interaction. Extroverts and introverts alike will feel at home.

After lunch, we'll have several Sabbath opportunities available in the surrounding neighborhoods. We’ll close the event with an evening prayer together.

Location: ChiroJava in Seguin, Texas
    (114 S. Austin Street on the main square; see map below)
Date & Time: April 28, 2007 9:30am - 5:30pm
Cost: FREE (bring your own money for lunch and optional dinner)
Hosted by: ClayPeople Community, ChiroJava, Emergent|SA, and INTERMISSION at Texas Lutheran University

Comment here at the Emergent|SA blog to organize ridesharing and to give us a rough headcount.

CHIRO JAVA: