Trip Around
the Sun
36
of 52 – Seventh-Day Adventist
Our
The
(This would
appear to leave out non-Christians – even if very good people.)
Our Vision Statement:
The Escondido SDA Church seeks to be a growing, multi-generational and
multi-cultural community which through grace:
» encourages a dynamic experience with God through the Bible, prayer and
worship;
» expresses affirmation, empathy and support as we hold each other accountable
in our relationship with God and with one another;
» extends to the people of Escondido and those we daily encounter the call to
know and to grow in the certainty that they are the beloved children of God
through Jesus Christ.
(This
is part of an ad for an activity coming up – having coffee together. Since We think God wanted us not to drink coffee, wouldn’t it be
more efficient to let everyone in on the “commandment”? It wouldn’t need to be
“The Prophet,” but anyone willing to listen and tell. Lots of folks are trying
hard to listen to Him – why not use them to help get the “work” done? (I know
this is sarcastic – and don’t believe any such “commandment” was ever given –
too trivial – the letter killeth.) Lots
of questions to ask on the other side. That’s why I will live to be a
very old man.)
The
Visit:
I got
there about
As
predicted, the class began about
(I
would be interested to know what the goal of the other class is - wherein the
format was mostly the speech of the teacher.)
(An
offering was quietly conducted in the class.)
The Discussion:
It
turns out they run this class by having a different teacher each week. Most
class members take a turn. This time the teacher was Ruth. Her husband, John,
was also in the class, and would be the teacher next week.
Ruth
handed out sheets of blank paper to everyone and asked us to make a vertical
line down the center. On the left column, we labeled “IMAGES.” On the right we
labeled, “REALITY.”
She
separated us into three groups, each of which filled out the paper and reported
later.
First
subject: A Barbie Doll
IMAGES REALITY
Perfect
body Distorted
body
Sexy Plastic
Popular Short (Less than
a foot is short for a human)
Rich Non-living
Human Worth
about 10 bucks
Female Icon of
human
One
person No
gender (plastic is not male or female)
Can Do
and Think Millions
of copies
Successful Cannot do or
Think
Has fun
Healthy
Second
subject: Statue of
Brings
freedom Icon
of a human
Welcomes
all to
Belongs
to no one Made of metal and stone
Is a
person (human) Is French
Female Welcome
is conditional
Cares
about people Cannot care – cannot do anything or think
Is good Belongs
to officialdom
Metal cannot be good or evil
Tourist attraction
Static – cannot move
No gender (metal and stone are not
male or female)
Third
subject: Parents
God-like Human frailties
Love
only each other (physically) Sometimes commit adultery
Know everything Know
more than children
Love is
unconditional Love is
conditional (but less so than others)
Strong Helpful
Always
there for you Make great grandparents
They sometimes die in agony and
suffering
Fourth
subject: God
Each group
made their lists of images and reality for God, but the lists were not shared.
Ruth
suggested that since we were made in the “Image” of God, we should look at the
Images we have listed to see what He would have us be.
Though there
was lots of participation, this was not really a discussion. The results were pretty much in
control of the leader. I think, though, that the general tenor of this class
will be to have discussion – different opinions welcome, etc. Doctrine here, does not appear to be fixed. I learned more about this
later.
One of
my dearest friends in my youth was Ellis Lewis. He and his family were Seventh
Day Adventists. I had a little exposure to them at that time, and today I have
found that much has changed in fifty years. There was a kind of Sunday School manual – a guide that need not be strictly followed.
This guide is used around the world – similar to our manuals. One member had
told me that when they visited one of old Soviet bloc countries, they were on the
same topic as at home. This gave evidence to me that the changes I have seen
today are denomination wide – not just local.
The
topic in the manual for this week was Genesis 1-3. Ruth explained that this had
been the topic also for the previous two weeks. It was approached the first
week from the view that the stories are literal. The second week as if the
stories were poetic and not literal. Now this, the third week – would be
another approach to understanding. This kind of open thinking is very attractive
to me. Doctrine is not dictated, but found. (I’m sure there are exceptions –
where the doctrine is required for good standing.)
The main congregational meeting.
For
thirty minutes there was congregational singing. All the words were projected.
There was about a five piece combo – drums, piano, electronic keyboard,
guitars. There were three people on stage singing with us to lead us. Two free-standing – one with a guitar. The members of the
little combo did not sing. (None were playing mouth instruments. Why didn’t
they sing?)
The
congregation does not sing out as we are used to – almost no harmony – everyone
singing pretty much words only with some connection to the melody. One of the
three on stage was a young girl – who put quite a lot of dynamics in her own
singing – and appeared to enjoy it quite a lot. (I enjoy the ones who “get into
it” a little.)
I think
on this projected words thing – the music also needs to be projected. Harder to
make well visible, but it would encourage learning of parts and better
participation. We Mormons, of course, are a bit spoiled. We like to try to be a
Tabernacle Choir.
I think
the best I saw of this projection method was at the Presbyterian Church at
Juniper and
(There
– you’ve all had your thirty minutes of music!)
Then
two teenaged girls (Rachel and Christine) were brought to the stage and honored
for their lives and achievements. (It turns out these two were to be baptized
before our eyes a little later.) They were apparently the kind of girls we all
love at home.
The
minister announced to us all while the girls were still with him at the front –
that Rachel and Christine would next Saturday be giving the sermon. (Laughter from congregation and a shocked look on the girls’
faces.)
Opening
Prayer
Welcome
and announcements
Offering:
The receptacles were the best I’ve seen – soft cloth bags with wooden handles
on both sides. Easy to pass quietly – and preserving privacy.
Just
after this offering, there was another called the Lamb’s offering. Children
went about in the aisles collecting dollars. Each offering supports different
functions.
Herbert
and Renate Sorensen
I was sitting
next to a very nice man and his also very nice wife – they helped me with
details and meanings, etc. Herbert stayed with me through various events – and
afterward, he and Renate took me to lunch at Marie Callender’s.
More later. (Saturday is not quite the Old Testament
style observation it used to be among Adventists.)
When
Herbert asked me if I would join them for lunch, I accepted. Then I asked, “You
guys are vegetarians, aren’t you?” I thought that would be interesting to see
what we ate. He said, “No – not any more – that’s not a requirement – it’s up
to each individual. Renate and I eat only a little meat – but no strict rule.”
I asked, “So what is it among the members now – about half and half?” He said,
“Yes – probably about that.” After knowing Ellis, I have thought all my life
about the accomplishments of Loma Linda – with regard to good-tasting and
protein balanced foods to meet this need. I’ve thought of the millennium and
the requirement there that we all be vegetarian – how we ought to be grateful
for all the Seventh Day Adventists have done to make ready. And now I find that
they’ve given up the requirement – but hey – the work is done – we have the
knowledge – and the real requirement doesn’t come until later.
I asked
about their dietary requirements as they are now. “Do you allow tobacco?” “Oh no.” “How about alcohol?” “Oh no.” “But coffee is ok?” “Oh no.”
“But you have an ad about getting together for “Prayer Grounds” with a picture
of a cup of coffee on it.” “Oh no – that’s only De-Caf.”
Among we Mormons, coffee is coffee – regardless of what has been
taken out of it. I have to wonder if people know that as coffee evaporates and
becomes a part of the atmosphere – and comes down
again as rain – that’s just the water after other stuff has been removed. It
must be important just how good the filtering is. If it’s not about the
caffeine, then we need to know what it is about. With alcoholic beverages, we
know for sure – it’s the alcohol. If we put that in a fruitcake – cook all the
alcohol out – cool – just flavor. I think of De-Caf
as coffee flavored drink. I know
people who won’t drink caffeine-free Coke – which never had any caffeine to
begin with. That’s added to Cola and
other drinks (including some water.)
When we
ate, we all had salmon – very tasty. They treated me – and I’ll tell you, this
Trip Around the Sun just keeps getting better and better.
It was
announced that Laser Tag was tonight (Saturday). I don’t know some of the
details – Saturday may end in the evening or something, but I have gathered
that the whole issue of their correctness and others’ error regarding the
Sabbath - has softened. Herbert and Renate explained a great deal later.
Short talk by husband and wife. They read several parables from scripture. The
parables were projected – and then there were words in blue for the
congregation to say in answer or response. The Lost Sheep –
Prodigal Son – others.
The two
baptisms – Rachel and Christine
This
was a treat. The font was much like what I described at the big Southern
Baptist Church. It was behind the stage – up high – very visible to all – with
the beautiful stained glass behind back-lighted. It was of the Savior – but not
the crucifixion – it was the resurrected Savior – much like our “Christus.” There was one essential difference between this
font and the one at the
Herbert
explained to me that they do not baptize infants. They wait until the person
makes an independent decision – no expectation that it will occur at a certain
age, etc. I explained that we also do not baptize infants – but generally do
baptize at eight years old – when we judge the child knows right from wrong. We
expect also that the child has decided independently, but there is an
expectation involved. I expect that even among those who decide this later, there are expectations and accreditations that play a
role. The enthusiastic applause afterward attests to this.
What I liked
the very best were the baptismal talks. They were written by the very ones
being baptized. Someone else read the talks while the girls were waiting in the
water – but the talks were actually the talks of the two girls. Both talks were
precious.
I think
we would have a very good time if we did this. Our young Mormon children, even
at eight, are very capable of this. It would be good if every word were
actually theirs and not from parents, without so much as hearing a word of
rehearsal. Every single talk would be beautiful – and no need for comparisons
or ratings. (Thirteenth Article of Faith - “praiseworthy and
of good report.”)
I wrote
down one phrase from one of the talks: “I choose Jesus and will have no other
god.”
Sermon:
A psychologist
tells us that, “It is easy to keep your New Year’s resolutions – make sure they
are doable for you and easy to keep.” Everyone laughed. A video had been
prepared depicting the last supper overlaid with the crucifixion scenes. It was
all like double exposures. It has to be of interest to us that when the nails
were inserted, it was squarely in the wrists, not the palms. (We’re not the
only ones.) Because of the overlayment with less
poignant scenes of happier times, the scenes of the crucifixion took on a more
contextual meaning – and appeared less stark. It was very effective, and I
think the minister (Pastor Gary) was pleased. I heard him talking some about it
later.
Brother
Sorensen explained things as they were coming up. This was a special Saturday –
four times a year they have Holy Communion, and this was one of those times. It
also includes foot-washing, which was not to be done as an individual example –
but would include all who desired to be included – and in fact included nearly
the entire congregation. Herbert allowed that I might remain in the chapel
while they all went for the foot-washing. I asked if it was comfortable for one
to observe without participating, and he assured me that was fine, so I went.
He also then asked if I would like to participate. I declined, but after seeing
how comfortable all of them were – including many young people – I thought
maybe I ought to have accepted. There were several groups. Each, in pairs,
would wash one’s feet – then trade places and have their own feet washed.
Husbands and wives usually did it with each other, but it was not a
requirement. In washing one’s feet, the person doing the washing thinks about
his own humility and dedication to all – the position the savior taught us to
have. There were perhaps a hundred pans of water for washing. There was no
strictness – and it was all very uncomplicated. I
noticed some with pantyhose, for example, had their feet washed with those in
place. Those with socks, of course, removed those – simple.
Then we
returned to the chapel for Holy Communion (Sacrament).
A young
girl sang a solo – very beautiful – and so was the song, which was “You’ll
Never Thirst.”
Another
young girl led a prayer. Among other things she said, “And Please Bless our
Neighbor Church – The Community Lutheran Church – Bless their pastor – bless
the people – to be happy in their worship – with all their needs met – to serve
and spread the blessings of the Savior.” I didn’t write this down – and these
are not the exact words. It turns out, as Herbert explained when I asked, a
different church is selected each Sabbath for their blessing. The Mormons were
selected recently. I asked if non-Christians were also included, and Herbert
said “no.” So I asked if the view was that only Christians were on the inside
with God, and he told me, “No – others are included also – we just haven’t
gotten around to that inclusion in our tradition with the prayer.”
Some
discussion started now – that was more finished during lunch – so I’ll address
it later – with respect to some of the changes that have taken place for this
denomination – the Seventh Day Adventists. Generally, they refer to themselves
as “Adventists,” leaving out the “Seventh Day” part.
The
cups of grape juice were all arranged on a long table at the front. Line by
line, we went to the front and took our own cup and unleaven
bread. It was completely quiet, much as it is during the sacrament for us. The
minister then took the microphone and drew a little attention to the silence –
saying that we have too little understanding of silence – that it was ok.
Shortly thereafter, nice reverent background music started. (I think it was
started late – and the minister felt the need to make that ok.)
Just in
front of me was an elderly man – perhaps 90. Bless his heart, he picked up his
cup and a whole plate of bread and headed away. A girl behind the table began
laughing (nicely – but she was tickled.) Probably the man’s daughter, just
ahead of him – after noticing what he had done, helped him to return the plate
and take just one piece of bread. (I thought to myself – maybe this was to be
the sweet little man’s Last Supper. It reminded me a little of my mother during
her final days of inclarity. There is something sweet
about becoming a child again. There may be a reason.)
(The
speller says “inclarity” is not a word – but I think
it’s just fine. It’s not unclear to me.)
All
took their emblems to their seats – and then with a short talk for each from
the minister, we took it together. The cups were large (relatively) clear
plastic (about four ounces, though filled only a little at the bottom) – the
kind that make a noise when you set them down if they’re empty. After we drank
from them, the cups were being set down on the hymnal holders. It was rhythmic
– click, click, clickety, click, and went on for some
time. The minister declared, “That is a Holy Sound!”
There
was comfortable laughter. Pastor Gary is really quite good at his job – and
appears to love the people he serves.
It
really did not sound like noise, but was rhythmic and musical. As I think back,
I have to wonder if it was intentional. It went on for more than ten seconds.
Lunch:
Herbert
and Renate Sorensen took me to lunch at Marie Callender’s.
Herbert
asked if I had brought a car. I said, “Yes – it’s parked out in front.”
He said
he would ride with me – and his wife would drive their car.
I said,
“You might change your mind when you see
my car.”
He
said, “Oh – no – we spent time in
“Ok,” I
said.
(I
think he thought I meant I had an old car – or a dirty car – or a big old truck
– or something like that.)
Herbert
had a new experience, and I had a ball. On seeing the car, he was delighted –
and not about to change his mind – but it was not what he expected. We climbed
in – and I took off with a little gusto – as all his friends were laughing and
waving. Renate had gone to the back parking lot to get their car – and had not
seen the danger her husband was in.
They
were most interesting to talk with – have had lots of experience and have a
very inclusive nature. Herbert was very tall – I don’t know how many inches
over six feet – but at least several. Renate was also tall – and they were a
striking couple. Both had been Catholic – Herbert having looked for a new way
of thinking just five years ago, when he landed among the Seventh Day
Adventists. He told me that there were things he “grew out of or grew past”
from among the Catholics – mostly the notion that they were the only ones
completely acceptable to God. He wanted a more inclusive religion. He declares
that he is very happy with this one. I think he also would have loved being a
Mormon, if it weren’t for this one feature of exclusivity. We do so many things well. I think the carrying
of a “worthiness card” would drive him right up the wall.
Herbert
had started explaining some things before we left the chapel. Actually, there
are times during their meetings when quiet visiting is comfortable and
evidently allowed.
He explained
that the Seventh Day Adventists had been forced to go through a learning time.
In the past, they had everything down to the second – they even knew exactly
when and where the Savior would return. (I knew none of this – and it was all
before I knew Ellis Lewis – I would assume Ellis also was not very aware.) They
gathered by the thousands to the place sometime somewhere in 1856. They counted
down the very seconds for His coming. And He did not come.
Rather
than ignore this failure, they directed themselves to fall back and regroup –
learn from error – and study the scriptures anew.
(This
was very interesting to me. Other religions are not so honest about their
error. One I know of always taught, for example, that God would never allow men
to go to the moon. Now that men have done so, they argue that it’s a hoax. They
are not “data oriented.” They throw out all the data that does not support
their belief. We do this with regard to speciation by natural selection – that
we have non-human ancestors.)
What
resulted was a more inclusive attitude among the Adventists – one which did not
set them apart as the only true religion – but as imperfect people studying
what the Lord has given – and learning only parts of it. They also regard
others as having other parts of the truth – with no one having all of it. (This
is exactly my own view – though I have come to regard what we know as a paltry
part of the whole – even with all the Earthly knowledge combined – not a
trillionth about a single grain of sand.) He said that in the end what counts
is our relationship with God. I asked how he could assume there was a God. He answered that this
beginning of one’s belief has to come from faith. I asked if this means
accepting things without data – blindly. I’m not completely clear on the
answer, but it is substantively the same as I have heard all my life. I don’t
like it, but there may be no better answer. We start with some bold assumptions – and build our belief
system without questioning the assumptions. This is very difficult for me, yet
I meet the people I have the most respect for, and they have used this process
to their benefit and to the benefit of those they come to serve and befriend.
There
was so much discussed at lunch, and, being a reasonable man, I did not take
notes. (Perhaps I should keep a little recorder in my pocket.) After I send this report out, all kinds of things will be
remembered.
I told
them all about my Trip Around the Sun, and they think
it is a wonderful adventure. They wondered how my “search” was going. I told
then that I was not searching for another church. I was looking for better
understanding – maybe a growing past some of the teaching I’ve lived with –
just as he had done with Catholicism – but without a need for a new church. I don’t
enjoy the exclusivity, but I love so much the positive support – the great help
the Church is in raising a family. I think of Bill Cosby’s (maybe not original)
statement that he wouldn’t join a club that would let him in. A joke, of
course, but the opposite is intended – that clubs should be inclusive. Thirty
years ago, I fought and gave talks in Toastmasters International because they
did not allow women in the club. In the government, we could not have a club
that excluded women, so we inducted Helen Blanchard – but named her Homer
Blanchard in the records. (Imagine an ordination done this way. Most churches
have gotten past this by now.) Eventually Homer (now Helen) became the club’s
international president, and the whole outfit now includes women. (Imagine a
woman as prophet, seer, and revelator.)
With
that new data on what the trip was about, they decided it was not merely an
adventure, but maybe more. They wanted to know if there would be a book. I said
that if there were to be a book, it would probably just be the 52 reports.
If I were looking for another church – this
is among the first I would further investigate. I would also include on the
list the Methodists, the Swedenborgians, and the
Nazarenes. These are the most inclusive of those I’ve visited. I could also
include the Buddhists, but the change is more than is reasonable for someone
with this much background (inertia?)
I have
to say, that was one of the more spiritual Saturdays I have ever had. It was
also very pleasant. I got a little carried away in the Sunday school class with
my inputs for Images and Reality, but I keep learning about reasonable limits
among new friends.
36 of 52 – Seventh-Day Adventist