Worship

The word worship can either turn you up, or turn you off.  This blog is for you both!  I have been on a quest for about year to find a “home”, that place where I can gather in community to “worship” without being judge or told what to think.  I have not been successful in finding that home, so I am going to attempt to create it. 

In the last two years I have met many individuals, couples and families who no longer attend worship, regardless of what church they attended.  Some that do attend still complain about too many messages of being “beat up for more money, more time and more…”, others don’t feel connected to being told what to think without being able to ask questions and explore the topic.  Still others feel confined to a box, and want to learn more and experience and learn about other traditions.

Inclusive Life is going to begin offering bi-weekly worship.  Connections is an untraditional approach of creating space for a community of worship.   This is not going to be an experience for everyone and at the same time will offer something for everyone!

Lets share how it will be different…

SIZE:

We have space for about 15 people.  When that fills up we will follow where the group leads us.  Another time slot?  A larger space?  Or…?

SPACE:

Not a typical sanctuary.  We will be meeting at the Inclusive Life space in the Park Building, 500 Willow Ave Council, Bluffs.  It will be more like meeting in a living room (sofa and chairs in the round!)

MUSIC:

Our iTunes will be the instrument of choice, unless someone would like to share a talent!

GENEROSITY:

We will not pass the plate nor will we give messages about how much you need to give.  If you would like to make a donation, it would gladly be accepted.   

DRESS:

As you are, dress comfortably.

LENGTH:

Depends on how much YOU want to share!  This will be an interactive event, participate as little or as much as you would like.  Normally abut an hour.

ORDER OF WORSHIP:

·         We will begin with an opening prayer, blessing, poem or other words. 

·         Perhaps some music. 

·         A reading relevant to the message of the day will be shared. 

·         We will go around the room and ask everyone who would like to briefly share how their week was,  and how life is.

·         A 10-15 message will be given

·         Perhaps some music.

·         We will allow open space/time to allow everyone to share what you liked about the message, what it meant to you, and your thoughts about it.

·         We will offer a communion that is based on using a loaf of bread to symbolize our whole and authentic life, pieces of bread to symbolize our brokenness, and dip it in juice to symbolize the strength we have within ourselves, within community and within the relationship you may have with what you know to be sacred. 

·         Perhaps offer another reading or song.

·         Close in a group prayer or blessing.

You will not be asked to choose or be persuaded to believe in specific “dogma”, path or belief.  This will be an interfaith service that allows “space” for human beings to come together to be in community.  Will we talk about bible stories?  Sure.  Just as we will talk about karma, living a good life, and various other traditions from both other religions, practices and nonreligious paths.  Connections is offering a nontraditional experience that is inclusive, open, affirming to all, without exception!

We would like to offer this every two weeks, and we know that it may grow to a weekly event and perhaps grow into something that is larger than the sum of us together.  We will follow it as the group is lead together, in that direction. 

If you have a talent, gift or would like to share or help in some way please send us an email or call us.  If you would like more information about Connections, please call or email us.

 We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One community at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care.

INCLUSIVE LIFE   (402) 575-7006   info@inclusivelife.org

In Omaha at 105 S. 49^th Street, Omaha, NE 68132

In Council Bluffs at 500 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503