Faith as a journey...

There is knowing - and then there is KNOWING! This weekend I had the experience of beginning to know two new friends whom it feels I have known forever - and want to know more. Peter and Joyce made the journey from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Pittsfield, Massachusetts by faith: we had never met in person but felt like it was time to correct this accident of geography. So they set the whole adventure into motion a number of months ago and arrived this past Thursday after a full day of flying. And until just a moment ago, when they began their trek back home, it has been a time of non-stop music, reflection, sharing and growing together in appreciation, respect and love.

What's more, I am so deeply touched and humbled by their authenticity and faithful expressions of friendship that I feel truly blessed. How often in life do we find soul friends? Everyone one of us knows LOTS of people - some of whom we even care for and love - but only a few nourish our souls, yes? That's what this weekend's journey felt like to me: beginning to KNOW another at a deeper and healing level - and man did we have fun:

+ We walked all over Pittsfield on Friday - which was a stunning sunny day - and wound up getting a behind the scenes tour of the Colonial Theatre. It was built in 1908 as a Victorian stage and has been lovingly restored to all its gilded grandeur. Stage manager, Brian, took us throughout the place - backstage and onto the balconies, too - for a stellar tour of a magnificent local arts venue. Later that night we headed out to dine and enjoy the sweet jazz of the Jeff Stevens Quartet along with other friends from church.

+ On Saturday, I visited with a guest clergy person before spending the better part of the afternoon jamming and practicing music for Sunday worship with Peter. We wound up doing two songs together - both amplified by our church band "Between the Banks" - including U2's "One" and a beautiful song by Jim Croegaert (check him out @ www.roughstonesmusic.com/) Most of the day, however, was spent playing covers of Del Shannon songs and talking about art, spirit and compassion over chilled white wine.

+ And then Sunday - what a cornucopia of experiences - from hosting a guest preacher and playing smokin' music to going to Tanglewood Music Festival to hear Yoyo-Ma's "Silk Road Project" on a balmy summer night. We met two other folks from church for a little fruit and champagne on the lawn before an INCREDIBLE performance. This "project" has been evolving for 10 years. The presenting form explores the music, culture and spirituality of the trade root between Europe and China. What that means - in reality - is a cultural blending of musical forms and instruments that takes peace-making to a whole other level. I think I can honestly say that I have never had such a sublime musical encounter as Sunday's concert. There were sounds I had never heard before - in combinations I could never imagine - all shared with dear and sweet friends new and newer.

Now we are preparing our own sojourn north to Halifax for a week of personal re-creation. We'll hear new music, rest and read and explore another part of North Country together. It will be a time of personal healing and reflection. But this time with Peter and Joyce has deepened my sense of what it means to be open to the Spirit by faith: lots of trust, a willingness to take risks and a sense that God really IS in control. More as this next leg of the faith journey matures...
(Learn more about Peter @ http://superiorscribes.weebly.com/peter-fergus-moore.html and learn more about Joyce @ http://domino-11.prominic.com/A55971/mnwo/churchprofile.nsf/0/F55E0077A4EDFA2B8625717800100C07