Listening to the tradition behind the things that make a community of faith unique is one of the best gifts of ministry. This past week I was fortunate to attend a meeting about Trinity’s annual Christmas Bazaar. Over the meeting we talked about venders, soup, cookies, and all the other exciting pieces that come along with this Trinity tradition. Those gathered around the table recalled stories of years past while thinking about this year’s event and how to make it even better.
But, even better than these moments are the side conversations. Following the meeting one of the ladies attending and I just started having a conversation. Her family has had quite the time lately. And of course I’m not going to share what she shared with me, but the holiness of listening is the story I want to share. I had a professor in seminary that talked about listening as a spiritual act. I had never thought of it as a spiritual discipline, but how true and beautiful is that!
Over the next season in church, we will be talking about different spiritual disciplines and intentionally turning within for our own spirituality. But, part of that piece is turning aside like Moses to the burning bush and listening to the stories of those we gather with. A spiritual act of listening to, connecting with, is one of the ways the ways the Spirit moves in, with, and through us as a church. I hope each of you reading this know Eilidh and I are always here to listen to your stories. But even more I hope that you all also know that this is also a work for the community. All of those who gather across worship at Trinity, dinner at Sellwood, and snacks at the Engle’s– we are in this together to hear each other’s stories. We are a community to share what has made us who we are, finding God and community in the pain and the joy that comes in the journey of life.
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