Don’t laugh. I have recently become obsessed with reading magical realism. Which if you aren’t familiar with this literary genre, is one that paints a realistic view of the modern world while also adding magical elements. Right now, I’m reading about mermaids and in my imagination, I am one of them. Gracefully diving deep into beautiful clear blue water, I marvel at the colorful fish and coral reefs. Mermaids know things and feel things that I can relate to. The human form they take is one of beauty, light, and love and I imagine myself this way.

My serious self says such reading is silly, frivolous, non-spiritual and way too woo-woo. Yet somehow magical realism is surprisingly speaking to me—luring me to be more playful and less analytical. Strangely I feel my spirit soaring as my mind wanders into limitless possibilities.

It was Wendell Berry who wrote, “The imagination is our way into the divine Imagination, permitting us to see wholly—as whole and holy—what we perceive as scattered, as order what we perceive as random.” (Please read this quote again, slowly.) And so, I wonder, what would happen if you let your imagination run wild about St. John’s Church. What is waiting for you to capture with your imagination and then live into being? What if the sky really was the limit and crazy ideas weren’t crazy at all?

As we move into regathering for in person indoor worship on May 9th I invite you to bring your imagination with you. Worship is not going to be the same and yet there are so many Spirit-led surprises awaiting us. I invite you to let your mind wander into the limitless possibilities. I invite you to hold things lightly. I invite you to follow your heart and don’t laugh but you might just want to read a little magical realism for inspiration.

Peace and blessings,

Jenny+