Sunday is picture-prompt day! Use this picture to inspire a piece of writing: a little background on this photo has been borrowed for our prompt today with permission from photographer Scott Haefner, who specializes in taking photos of old, abandoned places. His website is here: www.scotthaefner.com It is an English, Gothic-style Presbyterian church built in 1911 in Detroit, MI. What does this picture say to you?
(please follow this link to see the picture: http://scotthaefner.com/photos/favorites/2817/ )
One Hundred Years
ReplyDeleteI stuck my head into the front of that old church
that sacred space
and then I walked in.
It couldn't sit more than 50 people.
The pulpit was about ten steps above contradiction
and there was a tiny balcony -
I have no idea why it had a balcony.
I wandered around,
walked up into the pulpit,
and imagined.
I examined the logs that made up the walls,
I wondered how the people dressed,
how they talked
what they heard from the preacher
and what they wanted that brought them to that church.
The log church had been built in Wisconsin
well over 100 year before I entered it.
It had then been disassembled,
moved to Minnesota
and put back together -
back behind the library
at the seminary I was attending.
It was now an artifact
a museum piece, for the curious.
It has caused me to wonder ever since
“What does my church need to do to bring life in this time?
How does my church need to talk to stay relevant now?
How does my faith need to reach out to help people here?”
It makes me wonder
“When will the building where I worship become a relic?
Where will the people of God worship, in a hundred years?
Will they know we prayed for them?
Will they know we trusted them to carry on the faith,
to feed the hungry,
to be God’s people, in their time?”
If you are reading this in the twenty second century know this:
I’m not too concerned about our building
or our pulpit or our font – although
they have served us well and I am grateful for them.
My prayers are for you, your life and your faith.
“God be with you, my brothers and sisters,
God and our prayers, be with YOU. Amen and Amen”
Aint quantum physics a hoot! We've both been on that campus and in that church. Faith precedes action. You've captured the wonder and the joy. You've brought Lenten solitude to bear.
Deleteronaldo
I am sure you must be speaking of the little Old Muskego Church at Luther Sem. I finally visited it last August. I could sense the Spirit in the dusty cobwebs, almost hearing the Gospel proclaimed across the ages.
DeleteSoaring Space
ReplyDeleteBalcony view from a church mouse’s eye
Glimpses angles, windows, quiet organ pipes.
Holy space resplendent, commonness defy,
Community gathered in love seldom snipes.
Committee sat ‘round tables, listing the needs.
Parish fund-raisers worked year after year.
“God’s ministry will be furthered by our deeds.”
Quoth the pitchmen and women, dispelling fear.
Architects salivated as the dome was depicted.
Builders arrived with wonder in their kits.
Parish observers saw the feat done, seldom restricted.
A grand edifice constructed from countless bits.
This sanctuary meant to capture awesome voicings,
Praise, mighty sermons, thundering hymns stirring hearts.
Filled with spiritual might strong, heavens rejoicings,
Into the weeks work sent worshipers off in their carts.
Empty of worshipers, occasional individuals would sit,
Taking in the magnificence of God’s house.
Spirit’s smile touching hearts, renew faith a wit,
Bringing sustenance again, fear, doubt, failure douse.
Times shifted, economy moved folks away.
Dwindling membership faithfully worked.
Infrastructure demands ate funds true and stray,
No new plan in the near future lurked.
Monuments become monstrous unloved.
Past ages leave signs, choices made.
Meant to be sustained, efforts ungloved,
Possible retreat center, theater plan laid?
How looks your inner spaciousness now?
Are your fears, doubts, failure in charge?
Can Spirit, Creator, Lord Jesus inside bow?
Grace, mercy, compassion, justice enlarge!
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
25.2.13
Ruth Ann; I think I preached there one Sunday when I was in seminary in 1987. Do you remember someone named Winston?
ReplyDeleteJoel lohafer
Sorry, Joel, but I do not remember that name. But I was not there during the 80s.
ReplyDelete