During my recent holiday in France, I took a walk along the river Seine taking in the sights, among which was the Louvre art gallery. The Louvre is a majestic building, ornate and imposing. I walked through a huge archway into a grand square, surrounded on all four sides by the buildings of the gallery. Coming into the space away from the noise of the traffic and crowds was like coming into a cathedral. I felt dwarfed by the dimensions of the place. Although there were plenty of people about, it was quiet and calm. After sitting for a while, enjoying the space, I walked through another huge archway out into the main square of the Louvre. Here, the atmosphere couldn’t be more different. Lots of noise and laughter. Fountains played and people were standing on small stone pillars, striking particular poses. In the middle of this square are the glass pyramids, which were so controversially commissioned by President Mitterrand in 1989. They rise up out of the square in startling contrast to the buildings around them. People were standing on the little pillars so they could have their photo taken as though they were touching the top of the biggest pyramid, or as though wearing it as a hat.
I was fascinated by the contrast of these two spaces, one quiet and reverential in atmosphere, the other playful and interactive. The environment around us influences our behaviour more than we know. Buildings need to be more than just functional; they need to have purpose and ‘soul’, for want of a better word. We can also create a space around us that becomes uplifting and nourishing, regardless of the surroundings. I used to attend denominational business meetings called General Council. There were about 20 of us on the Council, the meetings were long and intense, around long tables under fluorescent lights. One day, our current Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson stood in as Chair, as Rev. Troy Perry was away. She brought a candle with her and lit it, to remind us that God is always with us. As a young leader at the time, this really struck me and turned a soulless meeting room into a sacred space. As many of you know, I still light a candle for meetings, even if it is just me and God in attendance. Nancy also talked one time about creating a sacred space at home or in the office where she would pray. I adopted this idea too and have a ‘prayer chair’ at home, a space set aside where I intentionally sit to spend time each day with God. In the office, there is a black and white photo of a street sign from the city ‘Amen Corner’. It is in the seating area where I chat with folk and light a candle. I don’t know how many people even see it, but for me it is important and significant to have an Amen Corner in the church office. This week, I invite you to see where the sacred spaces are in your life, or to create one for yourself.
God bless,
Cecilia
I was fascinated by the contrast of these two spaces, one quiet and reverential in atmosphere, the other playful and interactive. The environment around us influences our behaviour more than we know. Buildings need to be more than just functional; they need to have purpose and ‘soul’, for want of a better word. We can also create a space around us that becomes uplifting and nourishing, regardless of the surroundings. I used to attend denominational business meetings called General Council. There were about 20 of us on the Council, the meetings were long and intense, around long tables under fluorescent lights. One day, our current Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson stood in as Chair, as Rev. Troy Perry was away. She brought a candle with her and lit it, to remind us that God is always with us. As a young leader at the time, this really struck me and turned a soulless meeting room into a sacred space. As many of you know, I still light a candle for meetings, even if it is just me and God in attendance. Nancy also talked one time about creating a sacred space at home or in the office where she would pray. I adopted this idea too and have a ‘prayer chair’ at home, a space set aside where I intentionally sit to spend time each day with God. In the office, there is a black and white photo of a street sign from the city ‘Amen Corner’. It is in the seating area where I chat with folk and light a candle. I don’t know how many people even see it, but for me it is important and significant to have an Amen Corner in the church office. This week, I invite you to see where the sacred spaces are in your life, or to create one for yourself.
God bless,
Cecilia
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