PCC News for Tuesday, February 11th:
|
|
Image ID: A giant log begins to roast and change colors in a woodstove. Three metal grates break up the yellows, purples, and reds that ripple and move in the intense heat. The log and embers seem to excude radiance and warmth.
The roads have been pretty wild recently. After seeing a local production of Gypsy with a friend on Saturday I drove home in whiteout conditions, 25 MPH for 90 minutes. (Should have been 45.) I've been thinking a lot recently on what it means to keep the internal fires warm. Things may get chaotic, snow may keep falling, but we at PCC know how to keep the fire burning.
Hope you all keep the allegorical deeply symbolic woodstove going as the week proceeds. One step at a time, dear ones.
~ Chaplain Sam
Worship Remix Tonight: Resistance Bible Study
PRISM (Up near Fireside Lounge)
5:00 - 6:15ish
Let's study the Bible! Let's explore how studying Scripture can be an act of resistance.
Whether you're comfy-cozy with the Bible or if you've got some friction, join us for our first-ever PCC Bible Study.
We're going to take a critical (heart, body and mind) look at Genesis 32:22-32 in which Jacob wrestles an angel to get a new name. We'll dip into a bit of the mythological history and also practice a contemplative way to read called Lectio Divina. You might like it!
I invite you to bring your full self, there's no right or wrong way to engage with Scripture.
~*~* Christianity is Magic*~*~
Let's get visual. We talked at PCC @ UR last week about Isaiah 6 in which one of our Prophetic heroes gets a vision that changes his life! It's rife with imagery and witchy energy, was one of my Ordination texts. Don't get me started about how Isaiah's vision could change our collective lives if we listened a little more closely.
There's a moment where a hot coal is brought to the prophet's lips and he is changed; (sounds like a hip being put out of joint, eh?) let's look at how a few artists interpreted this moment. (Sorry to not have attribution! Screenshotted these from Church Mom Blogs.)
This one is powerful in its relationality. Isaiah's supplication to the angel is clear, he's almost beseeching. The crossed hands reveal so much about his readiness to serve, the angel's forward momentum forward reveals the strength of God's love. Great piece! There's a ton of Heaven Stuff behind the angel I trimmed out, it's worth a look when you have time.
ANGEL IS BABY??? Ooh this one is a challenge. A) I have never liked naked cherubs, they remind me of the Precious Moments dolls my friends' moms used to collect. What's the word... saccharine? Listen, this one is fine. Big beard? Must be a prophet. Baby Angel? Just doing her job. The "Why, God, Why?" look in Isaiah's eyes is particularly complex and intriguing.
Now we're talking! Look at those wings, there's some wild body language power dynamics between the figures. Isaiah looks ready and horrified all at once. (as we'd all be.)
I'm always looking for religious art that resembles how I've seen the stories in my imagination, this one is as close as I've found. Isaiah is ready and terrified of what's next. The Angel is amorphous, beyond our understanding as God tends to be. There's hope in pain.
Do you have any art around this piece? Would love to see a PCC homegrown sketch or two, even.
May religious art inspire you to learn more and tell stories in new ways.
Coming Up:
- PCC Discord's coming! Thanks for your patience, it's been a real season huh?
- I'm taking ASL this semester, it's so fulfilling. Want to help practice and build some community? Let me know.
- Games Can Help has been rescheduled for Friday, March 28th! Want to join the leadership team? Tons to do.
- Alas no drop-in counseling today, apologies! We'll be back next week.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our email address is: skinsman@ur.rochester.edu
Chaplain Sam can be reached at: 714 299 8420 in case of emergency or for counseling appointments on Tuesdays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
