I grew up in a couple of church buildings that were financed on the “build as we get it” plan.
That may be why I have always been attracted to the unadorned walls of Quaker meeting houses. I wonder if a resident of Reims in the thirteenth century would have felt the same?
Well, I am back to my roots. As you know, our church palapa burned down last year. We have been meeting in a closed-for-the-summer restaurant. But it is no longer summer and the restaurant needs to deal with meals for the stomach. As a result, our soul meals on wheels needs to trundle off to a new location.
And a new location we have. Over the past few months, our new location has been transformed from a weedy lot to a bare lot to a construction site to an almost completed palapa.
That may be why I have always been attracted to the unadorned walls of Quaker meeting houses. I wonder if a resident of Reims in the thirteenth century would have felt the same?
Well, I am back to my roots. As you know, our church palapa burned down last year. We have been meeting in a closed-for-the-summer restaurant. But it is no longer summer and the restaurant needs to deal with meals for the stomach. As a result, our soul meals on wheels needs to trundle off to a new location.
And a new location we have. Over the past few months, our new location has been transformed from a weedy lot to a bare lot to a construction site to an almost completed palapa.
By this Sunday, it will be complete enough for the congregation to move in. Not completed. A work in progress.
But what better symbol for the Christian experience? Because none of us are complete. As for me, I fit in the half-baked category.
On Saturday, we will meet as a work party to move chairs, books, and other service paraphernalia to the new site.
As you can see, the floor will be a bit primitive. But not quite the circus tent primitive in the photographs. A soil compacter is on its way to form a nice bed for an icing layer of gravel. And soon, we will have a beautiful brick floor to complement our thatched roof.
So, if you would like to join us on Sunday at 10:30 AM, stop on by. You will be welcome.
And, as far as I am concerned worshiping here will be every bit as real as worshiping inside the stone edifice of Reims.
But what better symbol for the Christian experience? Because none of us are complete. As for me, I fit in the half-baked category.
On Saturday, we will meet as a work party to move chairs, books, and other service paraphernalia to the new site.
As you can see, the floor will be a bit primitive. But not quite the circus tent primitive in the photographs. A soil compacter is on its way to form a nice bed for an icing layer of gravel. And soon, we will have a beautiful brick floor to complement our thatched roof.
So, if you would like to join us on Sunday at 10:30 AM, stop on by. You will be welcome.
And, as far as I am concerned worshiping here will be every bit as real as worshiping inside the stone edifice of Reims.
24 comments:
I was wondering about that place. I thought, maybe a new botanero....
Nope. The new church building. By the way, I keep forgetting about your oranges. I have them.
We've been noticing the palapa work. I thought maybe a new botanero....
Same lot as before?
No. Closer to the highway and to the east (near the laguna).
No offense intended, but ....
I can't keep the phrase "Hut of Worship" out of my mind.
But of course, it's the sentiment and the togetherness of the congregation that really count.
May your church be as blessed as any.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we are rather fond of Mexico's myriad churches in all their imperial glory.
I smiled when I read that you consider yourself half baked. You may not be completely done, but you are better baked that most of the rest of us.
I like that, Hut of Worship.....
Well, thank you, sir.
Be it ever so humble...
If we could only be.
Me. too.
I like your new church home! I can't make it tomorrow. I am due at my church in the hills for 9:30. Enjoy!
I'll save you as nice plastic chair -- just in case.
Thanks Steve, great shots!
For over 25 years, our Florida Church met in an old abandoned, now renovated, skating rink (took several years to replace the carpet with skates). We outgrew it years before the new building was finished. I still love the old building where youth now meet. Once in the foyer there was a display of tiny replicas and pictures of churches around the world--several were as nice as your new church, but some were just benches or a tree with a cross attached to it-a couple were yurts. One was a cave carved out of the rocks behind the Cairo garbage dump-to hide the worshipers. We were so happy with our old building, just couldn't more people inside and codes demanded a more elaborate structure of stone and glass. Our music leader always says, "Thanks for bringing the church inside these walls." In your case, there are no walls, but the idea is the same-the church is the people worshiping God--wherever! Congratulations on a job well done! Beautiful!
Looking forward to coming in December.
I myself prefer the old Presbyterian stone fortress I attended in Walla Walla. I don't know whether the fortification was to keep the believing in or the non-believers out. The only thing missing was a moat. We had a minister with a Scottish brogue, but he didn't wear a broadsword during service, which I thought was a bit on the cheap.
Can you purchase a broadsword in your neck of the woods?
ANM
I hope it catches the mood.
That is why I try to be careful to never call the palapa the church. It is just a building. The church met today in its cool shade.
And the weather is starting to get bearable. By December, it should be nice.
You are correct. Too often, church buildings give the impression that the people inside are dividing themselves from the world Jesus came to minister to. Spiritual fortresses, rather than spiritual hospitals to heal the soul.
Do these spiritual hospitals carry malpractice insurance? And who might have standing to bring forward such a case?
ANM
Sir -- This is Mexico. "Law suits" are what abagados wear in their office when they tell you that misfortune if just part of life.
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