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A Beautiful Mess: Video Part One: Easter

A Beautiful Mess

011, originally uploaded by cynditabug.

At church this past Sunday, my friend Brenda and I painted on a canvas that had been painted on the week before by the whole congregation. Easter Sunday, we invited the people to come up and express themselves on a canvas with paint. You can see the whole stream of photos here. At the end of the service on Easter, we had a mess of a painting. Dean shared this Sunday about how God makes beauty out of our mess, and then we went into a time of worship where the band played and Brenda and I painted for about 25 minutes while the music played. I have no words for what happened during that time. I have not worshiped like that in a long time, or ever really in such a creative way. It was amazing to see God show up in such a way that literally felt like no one else was around. It was the first time either one of us had painted together or in front of anyone else. Normally neither one of us lets anyone see us painting. We looked at each other during this worship time and she whispered, “I’m not nervous at all” I agreed with her. We both were oblivious to the fact that anyone else was in the room. God just showed up. I can’t wait to do it again.

Texas Hold’em for Charity

So, I have this friend who always has super ideas…. AND follow through! Rarely does one person have both, but this friend does!! Every year, at Christmas time,  she and her husband host a Texas Hold’em tournament for Charity. They invite a bunch of people over and everyone brings food. We eat dinner together, then the games begin. In order to come, you have to bring a toy or a coat for a local organization who gives gifts to kids at Christmastime. And in order to play poker, you buy in at $10 per person. There are usually a few tables going at the same time, then the winners of each table play each other, etc. until there is one winner… This person gets to give the grand total of the buy-in to their favorite charity. Last night the guy who won, gave the total to Children’s Hospital!! Everyone comes with info on their charity, to share with everyone else!! She draws names every half hour and gives party gifts to the chosen name. To top it off… there is a prize at the end of the night for the 1st and 2nd place winners of the tournament.

 It’s a great time, great idea, and a fun way to give to others at Christmas!!

The Compline Choir

St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, has beauty all over it. I am new to the Seattle area and I have much to still see and explore. I have been hearing about this event on Sunday nights at St. Mark’s. Well, I finally went on the adventure, last Sunday night and it was well worth it.

There is a group of monks who sing the compline service at the end of the day every Sunday night from 9:30 to 10:00pm. Apparently, it is a Seattle tradition for many people of all faiths to go and observe this service.

There are about 15 men who chant the liturgy and sing the songs. It was such an amazing and worshipful time of solace. I was fully captured by the purity of the music and the silence of the cathedral. It is also a beautiful thing to see the droves of people who turn out to listen… All kinds of people. They sit on blankets, huddled in corners, in the pews, lay down on the floor by the altar, there are no rules as to where you “need” to be. It is a beautiful thing to see so many people connecting in some way with God. The music is worshipful in an ancient sense.

There was also an exibit right now of Artist, Betty LaDuke’s paintings of her impressions from trips with Heifer International. They are well worth the visit to see and experience a bit of Betty’s view of the amazing work that Heifer is about.

Lastly, there is an amazing Altarpiece on display right now for only a short time. It was supposed to be gone this Sunday, but it will be around for a few more Sundays they said. If you have not seen it, it is worth the trip! It is called the Keiskamma Altarpiece …  Quoted on the site:  “The Altarpiece was created by 130 women and a few men who reside in the coastal town of Hamburg, South Africa. The Massive (13 feet by 22 feet) Altarpiece is constructed of intricate embroidery, applique, beadwork, and photograpy, and took more than six months to complete. The altarpiece opens like a cupboard to reveal inner panels providing three separate views of the people and their environment moving from a somber outer panel to bursts of color, photographs, and intricate beadwork. The Altarpiece conveys a vibrant message of hope for people who are contending with the devastation that AIDS has wrought in their lives. The message also resonates with all people dealing with the adversity with hope for a brighter future.“

They will be having another talk about the Altarpiece this Sunday night after the Compline Service. It was a beauty to behold!!!

Seattle is a great place, I am beginning to see…