You Couldn’t Call it Church….
A lot of my church-type friends have been going to pubs, or parties, or what-have-you’s lately and then gushing, ‘And you wouldn’t believe it…church happened there.”
Well, I went to a ridiculous party last weekend…but I couldn’t say church happened there. It was my friend Emily’s birthday party, and it was also her friend Lee’s birthday – a joint birthday party. They decided to throw a “trashy birthday,” replete with costumes ripped from the racks of value village, bowling, cheap beer, and of course, karaoke. It was a mixed crowd – part church friends, part work friends, part neighbors. Em was dressed as a biker chick with her short hair teased out to there and a My Pretty Pony tail clipped on the back 80’s style. Paul was a self-styled ex-con turned preacher a la Nick Cage with a huge silver cross, slicked back hair and a shiny silver shirt (finished off with white gym socks and white sneakers.) A couple guys rolled in in overalls and rocker bandanas. More than one woman sported curlers, or visible bra straps, or both. One guy (who shall mercifully remain nameless) bowled with all-too-realistic boobs under his sleeveless white tank (which I now know is unfortunately referred to as a “wifebeater” in the vernacular). I myself sported curlers under a turquoise polyester scarf; green eyeshadow; a shirt with polka dots, stripes, and orange flowers; and pink flower house shoes. (I tried to find Lee Press On nails but had to settle for cotton candy pink Wet and Wild nail polish.) There was a three foot tall cut-out of a dog with a cartoon balloon over his head that said, “Em and Lee’s Jerry Springer Show Try Outs.” The cake was topped with an eagle shaped ash tray and a naked Barbie. We ate the cake with forks – straight from the cake, everyone just dug in. It was a truly tasteless event.
I had so much fun.
By the third round of Coors Light the church friends were really hitting it off with the work friends and everyone was cheering each other on for karaoke. Emily sang “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, complete with air guitar. Lee broke out her zebra striped pants for “These Boots Were Made for Walking.” By the time Paul tried to keep up with Iz on Wham’s “Jitterbug,” we were all singing along at the top of our lungs. Everyone was talking and laughing. Pedro and his wife were celebrating a night away from their 18 month old twins. Paul was singing karaoke for the first time. Lee was passing the fake boobs to anyone in the bar who wanted to wear them while they were up at the mic. I was paying $4 a pop for really watered down gin and tonics. It was a colorful party. Come on in.
Church didn’t happen at the Sunset Bowl last Saturday night, but I think maybe, in some strange way, kingdom did. People talked to each other. They noticed each other. They heard each other’s stories. They thought a little seriously too, about what it meant to “dress down” and laugh about it. But mostly, they celebrated something good – the birth of two fun loving, generous women.
What if that was what we did all the time for church? What if after Lent was over, all ThPM did for the next couple months was throw a colorful party? What if we spent all of our time building a float for the Solstice Parade, and bringing drinks and food to the other float builders, and learning their stories? What if we spent all our time painting the day lounge at the shelter Rebecca works for and helping the folks there craft art for the walls, or arrange lighting for the dark corners?
What if we forgot to do church, and we remembered how to do kingdom?
A significant question indeed. Your Willard is showing again.
This sounds like something Jesus would be quoted as saying if the Bible were written today
What if we spent all of our time…
building a float for the Solstice Parade, and
bringing drinks and food to the other float builders
and learning their stories?
What if we spent all our time…
painting the day lounge at the shelter Rebecca works for and
helping the folks there craft art for the walls, or arrange lighting for the dark corners?
i’ve been thinking about this a lot lately–thanks for putting words to it. it reminds of the wedding of cana–no agenda, just hangin’ out to make the party the best it can be.
I was just going to listen this time…really! But I’ve got to ask…
Your Willard is showing? Willard and The Bowling Trophies? Richard Brautigan?
Pardon the tangential interruption. I’m a Brautigan fan.
I actually haven’t read Willard or Brautigan. I went to seminary before the Divine Conspiracy was published (just) and then I had babies and lost all capacity for reading theology due to sleep deprivation and an almost constant demand on my brain for creative problem solving. Also, I started being a practitioner and wanted to hear from other practitioners and not only theoroticians. (Not that the theory isn’t valuable, it’s just that I’d had a lot of that already and need to step away from it for awhile.) So, no, no Willard. Does he talk about bowling trophies? Because the prizes for best costume at the party was a dart throwing trophy and candle in the shape of a foaming mug of Coors. (Paul won the candle!)
Rachelle
Rachelle,
I think Jesus did some of these things. Otherwise why were people saying he was a drinker and a hanger-outer with sinners.
BTW, and this is way off the subject. You consistently refer to the Holy Spirit as she. Is that an official theological position you have, or a conviction you have intuitively reached? Have you written on this before? Or someone else? I would like to hear more about this. Point me, if you please. Thanks.
Jesus said, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. As long as the bride and groom are with you, you have a good time. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!”
(Mark 2:19, The Message)
Phyllis,
I instinctively feel like the Holy Spirit is a she…she’s a muse, she’s a comforter. Plus, I’m not good at refering to God as ’she,’ but, I’d like to identify some part of the godhead as feminine. So, it works for me to identify the Holy Spirit as ’she.’ It’s a recent but deliberate decision.
BTW, I LOVE that Alanis Morrisette plays God in “Dogma,” and I love how she is portrayed there.
R
Sounds like a great party! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this kind of Kingdom? Loved it. Thanks!
Rachelle,
I’ve referenced your comments about the Holy Spirit on my blog today. You might want to check it out. Thanks for leading us in this.