July 23, 2023
WORDS OF GREETING AND NOMOFOMO
Adam King
The 2nd Annual Hungry Games Kicks off THIS FRIDAY (7/28) @ 6 pm!
The first event, hosted by Kadie King, will begin at 6 pm at Rocktown Counseling (590 East Market Street, Hburg). There's a black sign with white lettering out front and parking is behind the building. BRING CAMPING CHAIRS OR BLANKETS TO SIT ON as you desire. There will be food, there will be fun, and you won't want to miss it! Contact Kadie or DM us with any questions or for more info.Know any students who will be starting at one of our Harrisonburg area colleges or universities this Fall? Consider helping them to connect with RISE by sharing their name(s) and/or contact info with us. We would be happy to reach out - We LOVE to connect with new students!! Email us, call us, text us, tell us in person, or even better, take a moment to fill out this short form to let us know a little about them: https://forms.gle/rAUDR1QMMS2UfsUJ6
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES - Wednesdays 6-8 pm at Turner Pavilion
Conveniently playing right across the street from our Homebase, the 2023 Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series features an exciting line-up for the upcoming season. Join with RISE friends on Wednesday evenings and get in on the fun, especially on 8/16 and 9/13! More info on the full line-up can be found here: https://downtownharrisonburg.org/levitt-amp-harrisonburg/We’ll be gathering for worship on Sunday mornings at 10ish in the Arboretum all summer long, with a weekly variety of spiritual practices and experiences to connect us with God, one another, and the natural world! We will begin each week on the terrace by the Welcome and Education Center (on the hill) - Bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc as you desire. For more information about the Arboretum, visit www.jmu.edu/arboretum/index.shtml
(In the event of rain, watch our socials and text line for updates - any day-of weather related calls will be made by 9 am)If you would like to connect more deeply with RISE, you can start by submitting this short form to Get Connected!
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WELCOMING STATEMENT
RISE believes that God has open arms, and so should we. Our Creator wants us to love, accept and affirm every human being, including persons of every age, race, ethnic background, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or socioeconomic status, educational background, religion or creed, and physical or mental ability. We celebrate our diversity and recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all. Everyone is invited and encouraged to join us as we seek to follow Jesus with mutual respect, understanding, and love.
*Read more about “Why Pronouns Matter” HERE.
Spiritual Practice and THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
LABYRINTH WALK
After greeting and announcements we will be walking to the labyrinth. It’s about a 10 minute walk. While we walk, I encourage everyone to slowly begin paying attention to how their spirit feels. What are you carrying? What is lifting you? Just notice them for now. We will talk more about this when we arrive at the labyrinth.
What is a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth is not a maze. In a labyrinth there is a clear path in and out. The labyrinth will assist students and campus visitors in Christian meditation and prayer. In the Middle Ages the labyrinths were used as a way for people to participate in a pilgrimage without the expense or time required in actually going to another place. Labyrinths were created on the floors of cathedrals to help draw people into meditation.
The labyrinth is a pre-Christian symbol, like adorning an evergreen tree with lights at Christmas or the symbol of the cross. Like these and other symbols, Christians have adopted and embraced the symbol of the labyrinth and in effect, have redeemed and baptized it for Christian use. Like most symbols it is primarily the orientation of the user, and not the symbol itself, that dictates whether it is used for harm or good.
How is a Labyrinth Used?
A labyrinth helps direct one’s focus toward God. Unlike a maze, which has dead ends and the possibility of getting lost, a labyrinth has a clear path, but it sometimes takes unexpected twists and turns. In this way it resembles the journey of life.
Prayer with a labyrinth has three movements:
As one moves toward the center of the labyrinth the person focuses on letting go of worldly attachments or coming to God with a question. You may want to carry a rock with you from the beginning as a symbol of the question/concern/burden you bear.
At the center, the person comes to the center of his or her relationship with God. One may linger in the center of the labyrinth, spending time reflecting on one’s relationship with God and praying. You may want to leave the rock you are carrying there in the center, representing our relinquishment of burdens upon a God who can transform them, and us, in the process. We need not carry that burden alone.
Eventually, however, the need returns to move out into the world again. As the pilgrim leaves, she or he walks with Jesus back into places of ministry as a renewed person. Notice how the labyrinth looks and feels different on the way out. Notice your fellow pilgrims as well. They have gone on their own journey, unique to them, but similar as well.
Debrief
What about this practice captured your imagination? Does anything strike you as unusual or uncomfortable?
SONG
“Be Thou My Vision”
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my Creator, and I Thy true child
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
FINAL BLESSING
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen.