September 09, 2018
Improv comedy thrives on the idea of “Yes, and…”: taking whatever the present moment gives you, and adapting your responses and decisions accordingly. You say your own improvised line, and your partner can take it in any direction they choose. It requires trust, letting go of control, and guts.
Life is a lot like improv comedy. We can plan for some things, but we can’t predict everything; having flexibility and a willingness to listen and learn is key. The more we are tuned in to one another, the richer our storyline and the more we grow. Life, and faith, is not a solo stand-up act; it needs an ensemble cast. And God is one of the greatest improvisers.
Throughout Scripture and our own lives, we experience God as a God of “Yes, and…”.
Yes, God is the divine creator…and God wants to create with us.
Yes, we sin in the world… and we are invited to practice confession and repentance.
Yes, we have our theological beliefs… and we are called to learn and grow throughout our lives.
Yes, Calvary has needs within our church community…
and we are called to care for those not a part of our community.
Yes, we have ministries and programming… and we seek to have them support our spiritual practices.
Yes, we want to grow as a congregation… and we are grateful for all who are already present.
To live into the practice of “Yes, and…” is to free ourselves from programmatic demands while opening ourselves to the present needs of our spiritual health. It’s easy to get stuck in our faith and in our relationships and conversations with others; by taking our cue from improv comedy and using the principal of “Yes, and…”, we learn how to move pass the barriers that can feel like roadblocks, and navigate a new way.
Scripture is full of stories of people who are taken on journeys they did not expect. This year, in our worship services and in small group experiences and discussions, we are going to have some fun with our faith and engage the Spiritual Practices of “Yes, and…”. Taking improv as a spiritual practice allows us to live into the reality that God loves us where we are in life and will find ways to move us into further health and wholeness.
September 9-October 20
Exposure + Decompression
Yes, you can step outside of your comfort zone…and you can go back to it.
Spiritual Practice Element – 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall on the following dates:
Sept 26 – Lead by Pastor Morgan. What is your comfort zone? What is outside of your comfort zone. Define what it is and what it isn’t? Between now and Oct 14 – do something outside of your comfort zone.
Oct 3 – Lead by Pastor Alice – How do you decompress? Process stuff? Different for everyone.
Oct 10 – Lead by Pastor Anne – Share about your exposure experience and your decompression.
Stewardship Season – October 21 – November 18
Storytelling + Listening
Yes, your story is important…and you can learn from everyone’s story.
Spiritual Practice element
Dinners for 9 (Nine & Dine) – 4 times (deadline to sign up by Oct. 1)
Advent Season – December 2 – 24
Being Open + Making Space
Yes, you can be open to different ideas…and you can create space for them within what you already know.
Spiritual Practice Element throughout the Season
Reading the Advent Reflections (written by congregation members)
Advent Reflections Prompts: 250 words
How have you been open in your life and made space for new people, beliefs, and experiences? For example, choose one of the prompts below:
Describe a time when your family dynamics shifted and how you adjusted over time? What have you learned through that growth?
What is a belief or perspective that you hold now that you didn’t before? What prompted the shift in thinking/believing?
When was there a time when you thought you had to give something up because of something new, but realized you could keep both things at the same time by adjusting? Or the reverse? When did you think you could hold two things at once and realized after a while you had to let one go?
Epiphany/Winter Season – January 6 – March 3
Passion + Humility
Yes, you feel what you feel…and you can practice humility.
Spiritual Practice Element
Encourage people to do something you are already passionate about.
Encourage people to do something/go somewhere that will expose you to something others are passionate about (maybe going to one of our mission partner sites/meetings)
Lent Season – March 10 – April 14
Challenge + Celebration
Yes, life pushes you to your limits…and celebration can come in unexpectedly places.
Spiritual Practice Element
Communal Celebration & Individual Challenge
communal: Intergenerational game nights
individual: really focus on something challenging for you for lent (take on, or give up)
· Lenten giving tree – ideas of what to give up and/or what to take on
Eastertide – April 21 – June 2
Preparing + Improv-ing
Yes, you can stick to a plan…and you can improv(e) along the way.
Spiritual Practice Element
Improv activities with congregation and Monkey Butler improv sessions.