IN THE BEGINNING, a MARIGOLD Community was a house assembly—a small, informal gathering of friends who had become disenchanted with the way things were going at our church. Mindful Assembly Religare Intentional God-centered Outreach Loving Disciples. We wanted to create a more authentic worship experience similar to those of the first century. We met at each other’s homes, discussed current events, biblical history and scholarship, stewardship; shared music, readings from a variety of sacred texts, a meal, non-violent (emphasizing God’s abundance available to all rather than the orthodox “This is the Body and Blood of Christ”) Communion, and prayer and/or meditation. We later designated ourselves as Friends of the Historical Jesus: A Journey Toward a Relevant Faith for the 21st Century. We talked about how a MARIGOLD Community in its fullest manifestation would look: individuals cooperating to educate one another regarding healthy life changes, encouraging the processes of those changes, and ultimately building resource-based alternatives to conventional capitalist economies. Each person would volunteer a particular skill a designated number of hours a week, and take for his own needs accordingly. I envisioned private funding—enough, in my dream—to allow members to have real jobs, materials to construct their own homes, to build a community owned and operated by its residents. During this time, I volunteered at a homeless encampment called Pinellas Hope. To me, this was what the “Kingdom of God” really meant. Here on Earth, happening now. People helping people. Enough for everyone. Time passed. Life changed for all of us. We stopped gathering as a religious group, but kept in touch via the wonders of email and social media, and even an occasional lunch at our favorite bagel place. The ideas behind The M A R I G O L D Initiative remained in my mind and heart, even during a period of monumental personal change. The religious trappings fell away, while an appreciation deepened for the historical Jesus and all his life represented. For me, our calling was three-fold: feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked. The “loudest” call in my life has been in the realm of healing—from the devastation of breast cancer, a misdiagnosis of a mental disorder, and divorce. I feel a need to be of service to others as I garner strength and wisdom. I can share what I know. The M A R I G O L D Initiative is the fulfillment of a promise I made to myself: to write not only of the trial and tribulation, but also what is happening beyond the recovery period. If others are inspired and/or comforted, it is in this new life I co-create with them. I think there are a lot of people out there in a rebuilding/renewal, recovery period of their lives. The M A R I G O L D Initiative is for them. I believe everyone has something to offer, and every offering is significant. Think about what might be your “service.” What could you offer two hours a week?
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 20:48:21 +0000
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