Wisdom has built her house...

We are currently in the middle of Wisdom's Feast, the official opening of the CTM (the facility where I study) The celebrations commenced on Friday night with a time of worship titled Bless this House.

More info, and videos, podcasts and transcripts of speakers' lectures can be found on the Wisdom's Feast website, and below is the press release describing the opening worship of Wisdom's Feast:

Friday night's launch of the new Centre for Theology and Ministry (CTM) brings to life a vision of the CTM Board to network learning across Victoria and Tasmania.

A three-phase Processional Blessing marked the opening of the centre in Melbourne, with over 200 people joining in the celebrations.

‘You make the path by walking it’ was the message espoused at the beginning of the processional blessing.

During the blessing, three groups were led separately in a prayer walk. The groups were led to three nominated spaces, each embodying the wisdom, hospitality and worship of the work of the Centre.

In the first space, worshippers were asked to dip their finger in a water bowl and trace a symbol or blessing on any part of the room.

The second group were led to the chapel. There they were asked to pray in three different ways, in three different directions, using three different gestures. The first gesture was a movement of confession, the second was a movement into intercession, and the third was a movement of thanksgiving.

The third space represented the hospitality of the CTM. Bread, a gift from a Syrian Orthodox congregation in suburban Melbourne was placed on the table for all. Worshipppers were encouraged to break the bread and share it with their neighbour.

Many noted the unique nature of the opening, which featured traditional drumming, chanting and singing by worshippers, and lengths of green, red and yellow ribbons.

The end of the processional blessing was marked by a weaving ceremony. The weaving of the ribbons symbolised the different strands of the people involved in CTM.

In closing, Uniting Church moderator, the Rev Jason Kioa declared that the CTM will allow for the weaving of wisdom, the weaving of hospitality, and the weaving of worship.

Let us bless this house…