Shalom and thank you for helping me print the prayer flags that are hanging throughout the church and will over the course the summer continue to be placed throughout our campus. Tibetan tradition uses prayer flags to bless and purify the area in which they are hung. The flags are not prayers themselves as much as prayed over objects that carry a blessing into the area in which they are hung. the worship theme of Seeking Shalom during the Pentecost season granted an interesting opportunity to lift up other cultures traditions within this work; just as at Pentecost every language became the language of the church, we include other languages in the flags. In this case there are seven different languages hanging in the worship space English, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Mayan. Each carrying a rich heritage of deep meanings that go far beyond describing simply a lack of conflict but instead a great peace that is beyond our understanding.
The Shalom flag installation in the sanctuary is only part of this project over the next couple months as we continue to Seek Shalom and print more flags we will hang them in the front of Shepherd of the Hills, a manifestation of Shalom flowing out of this place into the rest of the community. As part of this flow, congregants will be invited to hang a string of the prayer flags or two in front of their home's. Creating the beautiful opportunity to have a car pass our church and then find the same Shalom flags in front of a home in their own neighborhood. Both a simple reminder and a powerful statement that God's peace can be found anywhere. As these flags sway in the breeze inside or out I hope the powerful message of Shalom settles into your hearts and lives. Again Shalom.
The Shalom flag installation in the sanctuary is only part of this project over the next couple months as we continue to Seek Shalom and print more flags we will hang them in the front of Shepherd of the Hills, a manifestation of Shalom flowing out of this place into the rest of the community. As part of this flow, congregants will be invited to hang a string of the prayer flags or two in front of their home's. Creating the beautiful opportunity to have a car pass our church and then find the same Shalom flags in front of a home in their own neighborhood. Both a simple reminder and a powerful statement that God's peace can be found anywhere. As these flags sway in the breeze inside or out I hope the powerful message of Shalom settles into your hearts and lives. Again Shalom.
