Initially we need to find a space to gather in other then the computer where we can design a space that is welcoming to all. Meeting together is critical to being in community. The main offering of the community will be in simply practicing the rituals that are part of mainline traditions, but also will allow us to adjust for the present generation and be flexible enough be inviting to the youth who will follow and lead as the future becomes the "now". From meeting together and becoming community we will have strong emphasis on mission (service to others) a place of welcome to those who hunger for a fresh approach to living out their spirituality honestly while embracing the reality of a global world with a variety of cultures. Ben Franklin even said once, "variety is the spice of life". We want a flavorful life with lots of windows in order to see clearly that peace and joy are possible here and now for all people. I remember a joke told by Bishop Wes Frensdorff, since passed away, that "one Sunday a young man went to a Quaker service and after sitting in silence for a couple of hours everybody stood up and began to leave. He turned to the person next to him and asked, When does the service begin to which the woman next to him answered, right after the worship."
There are a number of things that will set APCIA apart from churches and temples and other sanghas (Buddhism word for community), we will be like a "fruit salad" sharing and embracing a variety of mainline spiritual traditions while using things such as the music of the youth of today while still utilizing songs from our traditions. Some of our visions are having live music often! Live music on Sundays whereas sitting Zazen is in silence and the Lighting of the Sabbath Candles along with Kiddush, songs, and bright spirit. One Sunday a month the service will be led by a different member of the community for morning prayers where the music will be simpler than other Sundays. So many varieties of classes and workshops will be offered as the community grows with new ideas and inspirations.
A well known theologian (Dominic Crossan) once said, "Jesus really only taught two things, free healing and food for everyone" Jesus referred to this as the Kingdom of G-d and in fact that's what Jesus taught that the kingdom of G-d is here and now and that was his goal to bring into fullness. He didn't teach that the goal of the Christian life was heaven, Jesus like Buddha who lived 500 years before, taught that the goal was compassion and joy here and now. We hope to engage mindfulness in order make this more of a reality now. Our vocabulary will enlarge as we learn from other cultural traditions and help us to flesh out our own and broaden our understanding of religions in general.
Chuang Tzu, author of The Tao Te Ching (the scriptures referred to be Taoists) once said, "The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught the snare is forgotten. The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish, when the fish are caught the trap is forgotten. The purpose of words are to convey ideas, when the ideas are grasped the words are forgotten. Where is the man who has forgotten words, he is the one I want to talk to." In our case we want to learn to serve to act compassionately to others while simplifying our requirements of membership and enhance the fun and conversations through learning a wider variety about the world of spirituality we live in today.
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