Boy in the Bands
Having known of the Church of the Larger Fellowship’s Church in a Box for years, I (continue to) wonder if there other “in a box”-type services that might be useful for churches. Around training, finance, music or public relations, say.
As a Gen-X fan of Twin Peaks, I have a deep admiration for the Log Lady. But there’s something about this prologue that suggests a Unitarian Universalist chalice lighting. Or at least I’ve heard odder thoughts expressed in that place.
Though, to be fair, the “as above, so below” reference is closer to Swedenborgianism.
[...]
Some time in seminary (now many years ago) a seasoned minister advised me to “start getting my ‘book’ together” — by which he meant services for weddings and funerals. And uniformly in a half-letter-sized (5.5 by 8.5 inches) three ring binder. It was covered in black vinyl, which was utilitarian. if not interesting to [...]
Got the brand new Swedenborg introduction — to help with my preaching gig, and was tickled to see the author Gary Lachman, may be better known to some as a founder and bassist for Blondie.
Here’s an article (“Why You Should Know Emanuel Swedenborg“) he wrote recently for Huffington Post Religion.
There was a time — and perhaps that time continues, but it’s hiding if so — when some leading “free” (itself often shorthand for free-thought, ethical-basis, or “post-Christian”) churches were not in Unitarian or Universalist fellowships. Proudly independent they were. Think Fountain Street Church, but peppered over the land.
And I found another example while [...]
Christian Science reading rooms have a place in our religious-institutional consciousness, but this new Pagan library and meeting space, just inaugurated in Washington, D.C. is particularly interesting as a cost-distributed, multi-(Pagan)-tendency resource. A public face with less financial exposure than build-it-and-they-will-come churchmanship, and less personal exposure than the British and Irish Anabaptist “resource [...]
Free Church Book of Common Prayer (1929)
Second Sunday after Easter
Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; give us grace that we way always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow [...]
At Washington, D.C.’s Titanic Memorial this evening.
Public observances included images projected on an apartment tower’s wall and a brass trio playing the usual United States tune (Bethany) of “Nearer, My God, to Thee”.
Free Church Book of Common Prayer (1929)
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may alway serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the [...]
Low Sunday is the Sunday after Easter, and I will be leading
Evening Prayer and preaching
Sunday, April 15, 2012
5:00 p.m.
1611 16th Street, N.W.
Washington,
D.C.
Welcome
The Boy in the Bands is a record of the passing thoughts of Scott Wells: keeping an eye on the Unitarian Universalist Association, suggesting church administration hacks, and adding his bit for sustainable living in Washington, D.C. (I'm proud of my employer and colleagues, but the opinions here are mine.)Contact me
