Taste and See, a day of bite sized spirituality
- Posted by admin on August 14th, 2008 filed in Previous Events
‘Taste and See’ was a day of bite sized prayer and spirituality held in many of York’s city centre churches on Saturday, 26th April 2008
Organised by Wydale Hall and CoRE over 150 people took part in what turned out to be a very popular day- so much so that the next Taste and See day is already being planned for 2009.
Taste and See offered the opportunity to experience different ways of prayer and spiritual traditions through worship, workshops and discussion.
The choices of workshops included:
• Benedictine Prayer – Lectio Divina • Taize • Ignatian Prayer • Praying with Icons• Praying with the Body • Labyrinth • Praying in Solitude • Julian Group • Carmelite Prayer•Circle dancing • Liturgical Prayer • Multi sensory prayer • Celtic Prayer• Fresh Expressions • Praying in the Desert • Charismatic Prayer • Peace and justice •
The day began with an opening act of worship at York Minster, followed by the first of the delegates’ chosen workshops. Everyone met back up for lunch and delicious cakes to share- bringing together the theme ‘Taste and See’. The delegates then returned to the city centre churches for their second chosen workshop before returning to All Saints Pavement for the final act of worship. Delegates were given a copy of the Archbishop’s Prayer Book, by Dr David Hope, former Archbishop of York
Photographs taken by Johna Bergstrom-Allen See a full photo album of the day here
Welcome Words on the Day from +Martin
“WELCOME to this day where you are invited to “TASTE AND SEE” something of the flavour of the different soul-food available to us these days. The range is enormous!
Today’s event is rather like entering a restaurant, being offered the menu, and then finding it all looks so mouth-watering that you want to try a bit of everything! Well, we cannot try everything today, but I hope you will enjoy some of the dishes set before you.
The idea is that each participant can choose one dish in the morning and another in the afternoon. Do try something you have not explored before, but my advice is not to stray too far outside your comfort zone. We are all made differently and so have different spiritual taste-buds. In prayer, one person may be led by the heart and another by the head; some will be more free and physical with their body than their friends; others look for practical application rather than abstract ideas; while others want rhythmic lilting phrases rather than stark and challenging imagery. Some flourish with personal rather than corporate prayer, and some are able to meditate for hours in silence while others need loud expressions of musical praise.
The point is, there is no right and wrong. The Bible is full of examples of different people being met by God in the silent desert (Elijah), in the turmoil of pregnancy (Elizabeth), on a dusty road (the two walking to Emmaus), in the busy temple (Isaiah), at a royal Court (Esther), during the day at work (James and John), in a peaceful garden (Mary Magdalene), at a beach breakfast (after the resurrection), at night in dreams (Joseph), through a nursing baby (Anna) - the list is endless. The fact is that God respects who we are and where we are and deals with us as individuals. There is no “Macdonaldisation” with God! He is everywhere with everyone if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear him in any situation.
So could I suggest too that the walk between each of today’s venues is also a time for encounter with God: do not shut today up into the workshops and the churches. You will pass hundreds of people - each one made in the image of God. You will pass shops, offices, homes, even toilets - God is present in each person and each place! Just as Jesus drew his parables from observing everyday life, and people heard God through these observations, let what you see today also be a way through which you meet with God, lift others to him, see him in the faces of those around, and hear his word to you. Walk your praying too.
That way, the “tasting” and the “seeing” will sit together comfortably today, and will probably bring results none of us expected. God tends to work like that, I find.
Bon appetite!”
