Multi-Sensory Worship

I had the opportunity this week to spend any evening with friends as we shared a Seder dinner. It was meaningful because we rejoiced with the story of the exodus through the spirit of the Jewish tradition by giving thanks for deliverance and redemption. We also recalled  that Jesus asked all of us to do this in remembrance of Him. Many of us reenact part of the Seder dinner at our various Communion Services, but the entire Passover ceremony brings a profound sense of meaning. I was touched by this ancient  teaching tool because it applied to all of my senses.

See this "Joyful Feast" stole & other Communion stoles here.

I actually recall a Seder dinner the family life committee sponsored in the church community that I grew up in. Despite the fact that many years have gone by since this 'event' occurred the memory is vivid probably because the meal was multi-sensory. 

Why dwell on this? First it's appropriate as we prepare for Holy week! Secondly it is a great example of how including multi-sensory experiences help us be engaged and place the main idea into significant context. Classroom teachers know that if you can incorporate the visual, the auditory and the tactile you can imprint a memory. Isn't that what a Seder dinner does? How else can we learn from this teaching model as we plan our worship services?

Stoles Created from Congo Cloth

Trying to be a better steward of this good earth a call was put out to clients and friends to find sources for fabrics that were organic or sustainable that we might start incorporating into our ministry stoles.

One connection led to another which led us to a group within the Mennonite church that hosts a project that connects church women and men in North America and the Democratic Republic of Congo through the beauty of cloth, prayer and personal relationships.

Cloth is a hallmark of Congolese culture and creativity. We, like many others, were quickly drawn to its bold beauty. We therefore anxiously anticipated the appearance of the first fabrics we purchased!

The day arrived and tears ran down our face when the package was opened and the story of the fabric was read. The motto of this ministry is "every stitch a prayer." Ahhhhh. Sigh. How lovely!

This stole can be seen in full here.

And now we've had time to sew with just a bit of this sumptuous fabric to create a design for Carrot Top Studio's Easter collection. This stole (detail at right) uses the Congo fabric just in the border but we look forward to using the other Congo fabrics we have added to our fabric stash in even bolder ways. Two projects in the Congo will receive monetary benefits from the sale of these fabrics. One is a sewing training center and workshop to help start young women on their careers. The other is a sewing group that helps women who have been victims of sexual violence by teaching them fiber arts skills.

You may read more about the Congo Cloth Connection here.

Celebrating the Christian Year with Food

I was thrilled to discover  the book A Continual Feast by Evelyn Birge Vitz. It's a great match for my passion for honoring the rhythm of the church year and for creating in the kitchen and trying new foods. Maybe this suits you also? The author speaks of fasting and the giving up of particular foods during the season of Lent. The giving up of certain foods and culinary pleasures can enhance this period of prayer and turning to God. If you are keeping everything simple during this season--including your meals--you might appreciate this recipe included in the cookbook.


Lentils with Cumin and Coriander


1 cup dried lentils
5 cups water
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, shopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper


It was for a dish probably quite like this one that Esau sold his birthright (Genesis 25). Lentils especially strongly spiced, were a popular dish at the time of Christ.


Rinse the lentils and carefully pick over to remove any pebbles.


Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add lentils and boil for 2 minutes, then remove them from the heat and set aside for 1 hour.


In the meantime, saute onions and garlic in olive oil. When the lentils have soaked for 1 hour, add the onions, garlic, cumin, and coriander to the pan with the lentils.


Cook, partly covered, for 1 hour more, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are quite soft and the water is mostly absorbed. Add more water if necessary to keep the dish from drying out too much, but the mixture should be thick.


Add salt and freshly ground pepper; taste for seasoning.


Yield: 4-6 servings.


What is served at the table when we break bread together can be a visual reminder of the season of the church year at your church dinners and in our homes. Cooking, serving and sharing food enriches our lives in many ways...even during Lent.