I just got back home from a little trip with my kids to Asheville. I am still overwhelmed by the love, kindness and hospitality of my friends there. Thanks Peggy and Walt.
Asheville is such a funky, hippy town which may be the reason I feel so at home there. Hat shopping with my girls, a hike with my son cut short by my somewhat irrational fear of bears*, Saturday morning market to buy trout pulled from a mountain stream only hours earlier…what’s not to love? Stangely enough, my favorite thing to do in Asheville is to attend Jubilee Community Church http://www.jubileecommunity.org/ I know getting up for church on a weekend getaway sounds loony but trust me on this one. This service never fails to make me smile and cry and celebrate and love. It’s a place that always opens my heart.
Asheville is such a funky, hippy town which may be the reason I feel so at home there. Hat shopping with my girls, a hike with my son cut short by my somewhat irrational fear of bears*, Saturday morning market to buy trout pulled from a mountain stream only hours earlier…what’s not to love? Stangely enough, my favorite thing to do in Asheville is to attend Jubilee Community Church http://www.jubileecommunity.org/ I know getting up for church on a weekend getaway sounds loony but trust me on this one. This service never fails to make me smile and cry and celebrate and love. It’s a place that always opens my heart.
This Sunday the theme was love…novel idea for a church service huh? The congregation of about 200 began with a group meditation as a musician played a didgeridoo (a seven foot wooden pipe-like Australian wind instrument). The musician moved around the congregation showering us with tingly centering vibrations. After reading similar scripture from the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita, the preacher spoke eloquently of ‘turning to love’ and broke out singing verses of ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ at various points in his sermon. The service ended with everyone hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm. I have a sneaky feeling Jesus would like hanging out here. Don’t miss Jubilee if you are in the area and see if your heart isn't a little fuller when you leave.
Peace.
*somewhat irrational only because the past few nights a mama bear and her cub had taken 'bathroom breaks' on the deck of our friend’s home.
Hi Sherry! I'm glad that you liked my didgeridoo meditation at Jubilee! Your blog was forwarded by a mutual friend and guess what....... I know Peggy and Walt! We live in the same neighborhood and go over to their house a couple of times a year for parties. What great people. My name is Corey Costanzo btw..... peace to you!
ReplyDeleteCorey, How funny that you know Peggy and Walt. They are wonderful folks…those rare people that you just feel blessed by spending time with.
ReplyDeleteThe didgeridoo added so much to the meditation at Jubilee. I’ve been meditating for 25 years and occasionally during very deep (silent) meditations I have those wave-like vibrations I experienced during your meditation at Jubilee. It’s a powerful experience and took years of meditating find. My 15 year old son (who has very little experience with formal meditation) had the same wonderful experience meditating with the didgeridoo and singing bowls at Jubilee. Thanks for sharing your talents and providing this wonderful opportunity for us all.
Great start to your blog Ms. Cook.
ReplyDeleteI hope I get to meet you someday.
:)
Joe