Greetings, Friends!

Chapter 6 of Minding the Light: Our Collective Journal is now available online and also attached in a PDF file below.  For this chapter, we invited Friends to respond to the query, "What experience comes to mind when you hear the phrase ‘sacred space’?"    

This query arose in the context of discussions about remodeling our meetinghouse to better reflect our values as a community.  As part of this process, we chose the theme “Sacred Space” for our annual retreat and invited a Portland-area artist who explores spiritual themes in her artwork to be our facilitator.  In the weeks leading up to retreat, we gathered in dinner groups to reflect on various queries about sacred space, and one Sunday we viewed slides of sacred spaces from a variety of different cultures.  On another Sunday, a member of our meeting reflected on silence as the uniquely Quaker expression of sacred space.  She pointed out that Quakers are not inclined to icons, images and architecture.  Instead, we create sacred space through silence.  On yet another Sunday, after worship, a guest speaker talked about how the concept of sacred shifted from Old Testament to New Testament.  She said that in the Old Testament, “sacred space” is usually a physical location (e.g. the burning bush, Jerusalem, the temple).  In the New Testament, writers are more likely to associate sacred/holy with people (e.g. Jesus and the saints).  

The stories in this Chapter of Minding the Light were written as the community was immersed in these discussions of sacred space.  We received 19 personal stories and 10 original photos.   

We invite you to read these stories for yourself.  We would love to hear your response.  There is a link to the website below, along with a link to Chapter 6 of Minding the Light in PDF format.

Minding the Light is a bimonthly publication of West Hills Friends, a Quaker meeting in Portland, Oregon.  Using the guidelines of "worship sharing," we invite members and attenders to reflect on a specific query for each chapter.  Earlier queries have been, When did you first recognize the Light?,  When has your longing for God's Presence been unfulfilled?, When have you experienced God’s presence in nature?, When have you experienced God’s presence through a stranger?, and When has God made you laugh?

Blessings!

Sally

Chapter 6

Minding the Light website