“Broken Body Kaleidoscope” is part five of a six-part series inviting you and a small gathering of people to share a meal and engage in intentional conversation during each meal. May this guide attune you to the mysteriously holy experience of sharing a meal.

 

Introduction

Before the meal begins each person is invited to introduce themselves by sharing the name they prefer to be called, the pronouns they use, and their favorite thing about nature. 

Blessing

Invite someone to offer a blessing—this, or their own blessing:

Holy One of abundance and welcome, we give thanks for your creation and the goodness that it produces. As we open our mouths to consume and converse, may our eyes, our ears, our hearts, and our minds also be open to the sacred that is among us. Amen.

(All are invited to eat at this time)

Read

• Invite someone to read “Broken Body Kaleidoscope” by H.N. Silva.
• As you read this together pay attention to the thoughts, the feelings, and personal previous experiences that arise.

Reflect

• What aspect of Silva’s piece stood out to you most? 

• What feelings arose in you? 

• Silva references a kaleidoscope. Based on your understanding and experience of communion (or religion as a whole), what appears broken? Where do you see beauty among the apparent brokenness? 

• What are the various ways you have experienced communion? What experience of communion do you find most meaningful? Why? 

• Silva finds connection with the divine, fellow congregants, and the whole church through communion. Do you experience a similar connection through communion? If not, is there another practice or ritual that makes you feel connected? 

• How does communion call us into deeper connection with the natural world? 

Closing

• What is the “parting gift” you will be taking from this shared meal?
• Invite each person to share a one-word blessing before you depart.