tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1539702113791381260.post5816236434515851637..comments2024-03-06T07:19:20.820-08:00Comments on Chester's Cheetos: Cluttered Sanctuaries, Cluttered LivesRev. Chester Craig Topplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708283800277683161noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1539702113791381260.post-30414093329936201432010-01-18T15:37:34.252-08:002010-01-18T15:37:34.252-08:00I always liked the passage about Jesus clearing ou...I always liked the passage about Jesus clearing out the temple because he shows a lot of emotion just like some of us :-)<br /><br />I think it is important and good that church surroundings be simple and uncluttered. I was just noticing Sunday that there weren't any big stained glass windows at WPC with names of those that donated them prominantly displayed below. I appreciate the simplicity and lack of trappings. If you've ever been to the chapel at Monastery of Christ in Desert, you know how simple and amazing it is. The chapel is built to emphasize the light and beauty outside and is very conducive to contemplation and prayer.<br /><br />It is important and good to be reverent of church surroundings. This reminds me of my grandmother that would never throw church bulletins in the garbage. She saved them up and we burned them in the fireplace in the winter. That may sound weird but it was one of her ways of being reverent and I think it was pretty cool.<br /><br />Speaking of tossing out church pews, there is a dept of motor vehicles in Rochester, NY that has salvaged old church pews for seating. Maybe it calms people down while sitting on church pews while they wait the looong wait for their number to be called? :)<br /><br />As far as creating space and stillness within oneself, I find that meditation works wonders.Anuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15082640951760126632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1539702113791381260.post-50911219612053816272010-01-18T15:14:01.570-08:002010-01-18T15:14:01.570-08:00There are times when sanctuaries should be places ...There are times when sanctuaries should be places of stillness, with periods of prayer, reflection, comtemplation. But they can and should be hubbubs of activity at other times.<br /> For me, the "great, fixed pews" can contribute to a sense of "space and stillness." Maybe even security.<br /> On a very basic level, I would wonder about the practicality of any any seating arrangement of a sanctuary that has not been specifically designed for, say, circular seating. Southside in Tucson was built for such an arrangement and is wonderful. Our rectangular sanctuary is otra cosa. After tossing out our pews, we would need yet another committee to arrange other seating before Sunday services.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com