Marie Kondo has written a book for Children. She hopes to teach children from a young age how to live more simply in regard to possessions and to keep only those things that spark joy. Recently as many of you know we rearranged my study at church. My guests and I have truly enjoyed a room that feels more inviting and flexible to our many needs. Now I am wondering how to rearrange my living room at home. I am aware that with the current arrangement I never get to look out the window. That does not spark much joy!

You may not realize this, but the arrangement of the furniture in church is influenced by theological considerations.  The tradition of having the font in the door of the church symbolizes that Baptism is the entrance to discipleship. Baptism is God's action to make us like Jesus.  It is also a convenient place for people to touch the water, and perhaps make the sign of the cross, as a reminder of our own baptism, our entrance into the body of Christ.

Traditionally the altar in an English church is in the sanctuary, the area behind the altar rail. And this matches the practice of Christians in many lands. One understanding of this is that the altar is in heaven and we are all seated on earth, and when we go to receive communion we reach out and Jesus comes from heaven to give us his life and his salvation, his body and blood.

A modern movement embraced by Protestants and Roman Catholics, but not by the Orthodox, has been to bring the altar into the midst of the people so that we are gathered around a table such as Jesus would have used in the upper room. The arrangement we have at St. Elizabeth's is reflective of that sensitivity. Yes, the altar is the focus of our attention, but rather than it being in heaven, it is among us.

As much as that is so, only a few people sit on the side chairs. Also, rarely does anyone sit on the front row. It seems like the seating arrangement might not be meeting everyone's needs. This has led some people to want to try an experiment, and you will see this experiment on Sunday. What if we removed the chairs from the sides and slightly angled the rows so that we still have the emphasis on being gathered at the table? We are wondering if this means there will be more seats where someone might actually sit? I am inviting us to accept this invitation to experiment for a few weeks, and then give our feedback. I will reassess with the vestry and the refurbishment committee at that time what to do.

Excuse me now, I need to go home and try and rearrange my living room. I am going to arrange it so that it sparks more joy.
 

Have a blessed week everyone,
Father John+

The Community Helping Place (CHP) needs:
Food Pantry 
CHP White Christmas 1 ea. Can yams
2 ea. Cans green beans
2 ea. Cans corn
1 ea. Can chicken broth
1 ea. Box stuffing
1 ea. Box instant mashed potatoes
2 ea. Boxes Mac-n-cheese
1 ea. Box cornbread mix
1 ea. Can fruit
1 ea. Can cranberry sauce
1 ea. Brownie mix
1 ea. Container frosting
 

• Dental Floss
• Toothpaste for sensitive teeth