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The
Revd Heather Mueller, Rector of St John’s Episcopal Church, Keokea,
Kula, Maui, Hawaii reflects: In April we enjoyed a Japanese Tea
Ceremony in the Quiet Garden. It was accompanied with beautiful music
played on a koto and the people preparing the tea were dressed in the
traditional kimonos. It was a lovely experience with quiet beauty.
The whole ceremony is carried out with great care and dignity. Honour
is shown to the recipients of the tea. The napkins are folded carefully,
the utensils are cleaned carefully and the tea is served with deep
ceremony and dignity.
The Tea Ceremony reminds me of the great honour I share with Christians
in the Eucharist. The Altar Guild takes loving care when they clean the
vessels, arrange the flowers, prepare the table and I, as the priest, have
the honour of using those carefully arranged and sacred objects, to
preside at the blessing of the bread and wine. Special words are said,
prayers are offered and the reminder of Jesus’ last supper is presented
to the participants. The distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ to
the people of God is the sacrament of the greatest honour ... salvation in
Christ Jesus. |
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Register-Freeman from Jacksonville, Florida writes: Recently I opened
my Quiet Garden for an impromptu neighbourhood blueberry tasting day.
Folks came in. We had a quiet meditation and I encouraged them to pick at
least a dozen of the organic blueberries, sit by the river and eat them
very slowly while giving thanks for the gifts of soil and sunlight. It was
a spectacular success. |
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