Farewell to the Galapagos

We have reached the end of our Galapagos adventures.  I hope you’ve enjoyed this summer’s journey with Brian McLaren and his book The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey. 

One of the things I most appreciate about his writing is the reminder to be fully present in our days and in this glorious, beautiful, life-giving world.  But we don’t have to go all the way to the Galapagos; we can experience that right here, right now.  Brian McLaren:

Really, the destination is far less important than the loving attention, the mindful openness, and the playful pace you bring with you next time you walk out your own front door right where you live…

You live in a remarkable place…Outside your window, just down the street, just outside of town, amazing creatures wait to astound you right now.  Believe me, the local song sparrow, mockingbird, American robin, and house wren that you’ve been hurrying past your whole life have songs that will make your heart sing, if you pause to really listen.  Believe me, honeybees and lightning bugs and spring peepers and common newts live not far from you, and they will amaze you, really amaze you, if you take time to notice (McLaren, The Galapagos Islands, p. 277-278).

I know it might seem odd to take these little jaunts in church—for two summers, we “traveled” to the national parks and now this year we’ve gone to the Galapagos Islands—but I think it’s a great way to spend our summers. 

Summer is a set-aside time anyway—a time for getaways and stepping outside of our regular lives, a time for a different pace in our living and moving and being.  So why not do something different in our worship life too?! 

Besides, it’s fun!  Which just happens to be our topic this week:  play! (Whoever said church isn’t fun?!)

I’ll see you Sunday.

Jennie

Worship at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.
On-site at 302 South Main Street       Eureka, Illinois
Online at eurekachristian.org/worship-online or facebook.com/eurekacc/live