After an enjoyable evening of discernment and discussion, we chose the name "Teilhard Guesthouse." The first part of the name refers to the Jesuit Theologian and Scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a provisional holy person (saint) in the Episcopal Calendar of Holy Women/Holy Men. While I can't speak for everyone in the group and hope others eventually weigh in, we really found a group resonance with his attempt to link faith and all of life, including his scientific understandings, and to never lose sight of a deep spirituality that would hold all of those issues. We very much resonated with his Collect:
Eternal God, the whole cosmos sings of your glory, from the dividing of a single cell to the vast expanse of interstellar space: We bless you for your theologian and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who perceived the divine in the evolving creation. Enable us to become faithful stewards of your divine works and heirs of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all creation, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
We also felt strongly that the name should include our sense of this as a guest house. We are guests of the local parish (as later posts will better describe) and we hope to be a place that also receives guests.
We thought through many possible names, after other saints, after Christian concepts, but in a really beautiful way Teilhard de Chardin's person and work felt like a good fit. We expect to continue to learn and grow through further reflection on him and his writings.
No comments:
Post a Comment