Mondays when we meet in my living room for Snack Church the kids go off to the stairs just to the left of where the adults are gathered. Whether in a heated game of monopoly or building impressive forts with blankets and a cat condo, they still pop their heads in and out of our circle. Some even sit with us the whole time to draw pictures on the back of the passage that week’s leader has shared.
This past week, I looked over and noticed that all the kids were in the circle with us old folk after the first of three readings and response times. When it was time for our second reading one of the kids wanted to read the text, which happened to be an excerpt from Dante’s The Divine Comedy (The Paradise Portion). Each week our second question focuses on a theme that the one who brought the text at hand thought stood out. For this portion of the The Divine Comedy, it was when the character first sees God, and so I asked our reader what she thought this passage taught her about God while letting her know she could pass if she didn’t want to share. This brave girl didn’t blink an eye to answer the question. She said that God’s graciousness is so great that it makes people glad. Later in the discussion she added, “God is graceful like a ballerina.” So simple and so profound, her words brought the gladness to my heart. Don’t get my wrong, my heart jumped at this nine-year-old understanding God through this culturally young and feminine metaphor. But beyond those theological excitements for a theology nerd like me, I am so grateful that she felt like she could share her thoughts with a room full of 14 other people.
So often church activities, especially worship, we only get to hear the thoughts of the preacher. But, the work of the Church is to make space to hear the thoughts of all people but especially those most often silenced or ignored. As another member shared this past Monday, we gather with one another because in doing so we get a glimpse of God not seen without the other person. The Church is guilty at silencing and ignoring the voices of many– of children, of women, of the differently abled, of people of color, and of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I’m continuously realizing that one of the ways we can intentionally make space for each other and especially those whose stories and thoughts go unheard is in small group settings like Snack Church.
Of course this isn’t my own musing or anything new, it’s in my Methodist heritage. By practicing mutual invitation no one has to fight to get a word in. Each of us share or pass to each question, uninterrupted to share how the reading at hand intersects with our own personal experience. And while this practice makes space to share, it also places limits on those who often dominate both Church and societal places. You only get to respond once to each question. Sometimes it’s a stretch to share space like that. It can be hard for those whose voices are always heard to be silenced, but it is necessary. Just like it was necessary for us to notice this girl’s place in our circle. That she had a word to share with us. So, we must open our eyes to those around us– especially those either ourselves or our culture and systems don’t give space to. Because when we do that work and see each other, we will get to experience deeper connection with one another and a fuller vision of God so that we will be able to dance gladly with God in grace just as this little girl shared.
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