All of Who We Are
What does it
look like for humans to offer anything back to the God who made us? As intimidating as this invitation sounds, our tradition has a robust imagination for this practice of offering ourselves freely and fully to God. In the Rite One eucharistic liturgy, we say: “And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee …” (Book of Common Prayer, 336).
While we don’t use the Rite One liturgy in St. John’s Tapestry service, the reality of these words sinks deep into this community. Tapestry is an ‘all hands on deck’ experience! Arriving early to set up chairs outside, untangle AV wires, and design crafts for our Creator Space, everyone pitches in to make this family-friendly service happen. During the liturgy, children of all ages are invited to carry the cross, participate in skits during the sermon, and serve as chalice bearers at Communion. When they’re not serving in this way, you might also find Tapestry kids climbing trees, crafting stories with Play-Doh, or even leading music for this service. When I first met the Tapestry community, I assumed that this ‘all hands on deck’ style was purely practical. Over the last few months, I’ve understood it as theological.
Tapestry has taught me that God cares about the entirety of who we are. When a Tapestry family bakes bread for communion, we acknowledge a God who blesses the ordinariness of our kitchens. When we stack chairs outside in the summer heat, we testify to a God who loves us exactly as we are – sweaty and imperfect. In thanksgiving for this love, we give all of who we are back to God.
Two weeks ago, the LaFemina family led music for our Tapestry service. Veronica, Steven, Trevor, and Corrine brought their ukulele, Fisher-Price xylophone, and a new song to teach us as we went home. Watching them lead us in music transformed my own worship experience. In these moments, I give thanks for a God who delights in the remarkable details and realities of our lives. We get to give back to God and bless one another from the actual substance of our lives. Our Tapestry families have taught me just how joyful it is to praise God while playing a colorful xylophone or climbing a tree. Together, we are loving God with all of who we are.