"The Church is often the last hiding place from God..." (Carl Barth) quoted in a recent sermon I heard.
How often do we allow the institution (2020 vision / structural changes / 'doing Church' with all its regular demands) to distract us from the life God might actually be calling us into...?
How do we check that we're listening out for God, discerning what we are truly to be about?
When was the last time we dared "stop" and wait on God...?
(Perhaps this is what Sabbaticals are for....!)
Wednesday was a sharp contrast to the natural beauty of Amazonia - the capital city of Brasilia. This city replaced Rio de Janeiro as Brazil's centre of government in the 1960s (and it shows - sometimes in a good way!) Under the visionary leadership of President Juscelino Kubitschek ( stayed in a hotel named after him) the city was designed to bring together the diverse talents and skills of the newly independent Brazil. Established in the desert area of central Brazil, the city is a superb example of the work of architect Oscar Niemeyer, urban planner Lucio Costa and landscape architect Burle Marx ( see picture in previous blog). Their futuristic dream of a perfectly modelled 'city state' is evidenced in the many (literally!) ground-breaking buildings - some now sadly showing their age... I was able to join the 80 or so midday worshippers of all ages, gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and, for me, this was also an opportunity ( in contrast to the Amazon) to thank God
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