Advent Design 2011

"Drawn Out to Sea"
This is a journey toward the advent/incarnation of Christ following the path of the prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, and Shepherds. Each week the journey will be framed by a story/visualization activity led by Britani. The presence of the sea reminds us of the biblical theme of water which is usually an invitation to journey with God through life.




Week 1: Prophets (Bryce & Suzie)
Date: 11/27/11
Setting: On the sea shore.
Explanation: Listening to the voices call to us, "Leave the ways you've known and come further out to sea." ... Water is almost always an invitation to that first, subtle religious experience, when the desire just laps up against you and your mind and heart are opened for the first time. It’s the first gnawing, inviting sense that there’s something more. It’s the momentary recognition that the inside of things is even bigger than the outside.
Instillation Experience: Stand at the edge of the water and wet your toes. People will take off their shoes and stand in water or stand at the edge of the water in some way. Sand and sea shells might be around the water. A humidifier with ocean water might run as well.
Solidarity: Art Shop (Dec 2nd/3rd) - supporting local art/artists




Week 2: John the Baptist (Rob & Scott/Matt)
Date: 12/4/11
Setting: Leaving the sea shore; a push out to sea.
Explanation: John is the forerunner to Christ and leads us to him. John can be a little pushy and we might feel that push as he puts us in the boat and "pushes" out to sea.
Instillation Experience: Build your boat with John the Baptist. We envision a simple, pre-constructed boat frame relatively 2'x4'x3'. People would get a strip of cardboard to tack onto the frame. Before tacking it up they would be encouraged to write a note on the cardboard which addresses their fears of getting in and "going out to sea."
Solidarity: Charity Gift Market (Joel?)- supporting national and international charities




Week 3: Mary (Andy & Britani/Nicole)
Date: 12/11/11
Setting: In the boat on a dark night at sea.
Explanation: Mary is "in the boat" whether she likes it or not. Not only is she in a place of walking with God, but she literally has God inside of her. She's in it whether she likes it or not. Though she rejoices, she must wonder (even in the Magnificat) what is happening to her. Her place is dark with bit's of light streaming through. Likewise, we experience the "what the hell did I get myself into"  and "I'm in it...so now what" along the journey with Christ. This is the place when when we must let God do the bigger thing in/for us. If we can live through these troubling times we can experience the light of God in the "dark night of the soul."
Instillation Experience: Build a room of darkness with a single beam of light streaming in. We might use one of the closets in the back of the space or we might create a room of our own.
Solidarity: Ten Thousand Villages (an MCC initiative) - supporting the work of international development and relief and fair trade policies




Week 4: Shepherds (Bryce & Suzie)
Date: 12/18/11
Setting: Finding the child
Explanation: The excitement and light brought to the shepherds is perfected in the presence of a humble infant. The direction of advent is God-ward and is simply summed in the presence of the Living Water.
Instillation Experience: A simple pool of water fed by a fountain. This is a simple place to sit and ponder the humble birth of Christ and the pleasure of simply being still and loving him. Despite the distractions and chaos of the holiday season our gift is Christ and to be with him is the fullness of joy. Some description and aids might be available to help people ponder.
Solidarity: Give a Goat - http://giveagoatnow.com/


The master list of information will still be kept on the Google Doc. You can access that doc by clicking on this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Apl6fHuSvFsfdG9iRUpxUklkZnI5SkQ1ZkxzTUdfaVE&authkey=CLeI-skB