From the prayer after Communion for the Vigil of Pentecost (h/t Francis X. Clooney):
May these gifts we have consumed benefit us, O Lord, that we may always be aflame with the same Spirit, whom you wondrously poured out on your Apostles.
Veni Creator Spiritus:
Here’s an essay on Fresno, CA, that describes the pattern of development and sprawl that characterizes many American cities. Fresno’s history is set against the backdrop of the collapse of relationship in the author’s family even as they became successful economically.
One effort, by clergy in Las Vegas, to create community across the divide of religion (well, at least Christianity (h/t Episcopal Cafe).
Nick Knisely, pointing to an article in The Atlantic, ponders the change to cities, and to churches, by demographic shifts and the increased reliance on bicycles for transportation:
The reason this is worth mentioning is that it’s the first direct consequence of the massive demographic shift underway as young and old adults are returning the city center again. Salon has a piece on how even places like Cleveland and Pittsburg are starting to burst with new young residents around the city centers again. (H/T to bls). High fuel prices, dense urban living and a desire to something differently are all contributing. And now churches are going to have to respond.
What a great problem to have! As the neighborhoods around our historic buildings are being revitalized, we have got to think of ways to make our buildings more accessible for the people in our neighborhoods. (Which is why most of them were built in the first place after all.)
Nurturing community in a city–what is the church’s role? What is Grace’s role? Do we have enough bike racks?
Lutherans and “Anglicans” have joint theological discussions. Sorry, not the ELCA and TEC, it’s the Missouri Synod and the Anglican Church in North America. I’m sure they agree on all of the hot button political issues; even perhaps, on the creeds.
But how did their comparison of the Augsburg Confession, the Book of Concord, and the 39 Articles go?
George Scialabba writes a moving essay detailing Morris Berman’s view on the decline of American civilization:
As a former medievalist, Berman finds contemporary parallels to the fall of Rome compelling. By the end of the empire, he points out, economic inequality was drastic and increasing, the legitimacy and efficacy of the state was waning, popular culture was debased, civic virtue among elites was practically nonexistent, and imperial military commitments were hopelessly unsustainable. As these volumes abundantly illustrate, this is 21st century America in a nutshell.
But is there hope? Yes:
Berman offers little comfort, but he does note a possible role for those who perceive the inevitability of our civilization’s decline. He calls it the “monastic option.” Our eclipse may, after all, not be permanent; and meanwhile individuals and small groups may preserve the best of our culture by living against the grain, within the interstices, by “creating ‘zones of intelligence’ in a private, local way, and then deliberately keeping them out of the public eye.” Even if one’s ideals ultimately perish, this may be the best way to live while they are dying.
Sounds like the Early (now “Late”) Church to me. More food for thought as we think about mission and restructuring.
Preaching Grace on the Square 