Desert Discussions
Chautauqua, Lyseum, Salon, or ?
 

     Recently, I've been using this section as a place to make book recommendations. This time around, though, I'd like to discuss what kind of organization Brigid in the Desert really is. This year the UAIC clergy have been considering how to go forward in a way that remains relevant and honest in a society that does not value church in the traditional form. There are Christians who believe that the church should not change with the times because (as they say) "God does not change." This makes no sense. As we know, the church HAS changed throughout history, and those who believe it has not have little knowledge of history. Whether or not God changes, well, that topic is up for discussion in light of Process Theology - and whether or not we accept that the description of God in Biblical texts is the only description acceptable. The thing about the UAIC is that we generally feel that this is just one representation of the Divine and that Christianity is but one of many paths toward salvation.
     Brigid in the Desert was founded on the idea that there is Truth - with a capital T - in all spiritual paths, that spirituality transcends religion, that concepts of the Divine Feminine and Divine Androgyne are equally important with concepts of the Divine Masculine, and that we who consciously embark on a spiritual path are as much a part of that path as are those manifestations of Divinity we call God and/or Goddess.
     Because I come from a spiral path of multivalent spiritual and religious experiences that include Methodist, Unity, Unitarian Universalist, Buddhist,Neopagan/Wiccan, and various types of Mysticism,.Brigid gatherings have taken on the guise of small worship services with a smattering of a witch's circle and facilitated discussions. Some have had small sermons, others have had presentations of ideas, and still others have consisted of rites and sacraments. I don't forsee settling into a fixed pattern, though sometimes it is more practical to simply sit and discuss a topic than it is to light candles or pour wine and serve communion/feast.
     Brigid has never had a fixed home. We met in my home for a short time but went on to meet in parks, at restaurants, and at the public library. Our meetings have fluctuated from one (me) to about 10 at different times. Over the years, many who started with us have moved away and/or taken a divergent path. We are always happy when friends find themselves growing into new blessings, and we wish them well. Some continue to receive this newsletter, others follow us on Facebook. Others who still come to in-person gatherings when they can are in life situations that often intercede. I try to connect on an individual basis when I can, because we are a community, albeit a small one.
     Yes, Brigid is a community...but are we a church? We have identified as such mainly because of familiarity. I am ordained by the UAC (which is the umbrella under which the UAIC exists)..The "C" stands for "Church." Brigid has a registered trade name in the state of Arizona as a church. So, officially, Brigid in the Desert IS a church (fortunately with no income to speak of, there's no need to file any pesky annual reports!) .However, functionally, I don't think that "church" is an accurate description of the kind of community we are. Much as we dropped the "Saint" from our name years ago, I am opting to drop the word "Church" from the name going forward. As we stand now, we are "Brigid in the Desert." If we have to be official, we can add "dba Brigid in the Desert UAIC" to whatever paperwork is necessary. This would be a rare occasion anyway, since our tax status is wrapped up with the UAC's 501c3 status.
     So, now we are Brigid in the Desert. Brigid in the Desert...what? Here's where I REALLY want your input. PLEASE send me an email or a Facebook message with your thoughts. I believe that we should reflect the fact that we do not operate as "church" in the generally understood form. In fact, we are more of a gathering of individuals who thirst for spiritual growth, knowledge, a connection to the sacred, and the exchange of ideas. I am reminded of three older types of gatherings from American History. Each of the names of these gatherings encompasses the premise of a Brigid gathering.
     The one that popped into my head first was "chautauqua." It took me an hour to find the word, because I remembered the concept and the time period, but had trouble bringing back the name. Please read about historical chautauqua here. I know the name is registered in relation to the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua New York, and it is still in use in Boulder, Colorado and Lakeside, Ohio. I don't know if there is a barrier to our using it as in "Brigid in the Desert Chautauqua" or "...Chautauqua Gathering."
     I came across the idea of the "lyseum" as I searched for the word chautauqua. A lyceum was a gathering of people for public lectures, concerts, and education. You can read a little history of the lyceum here. It was out of the lyceum concept that the chautauqua emerged.
     Finally, there is the "salon." A salon is a regular gathering of people hosted by someone "inspiring." Historically, the salon idea was started in 16th century Italy, became popular in France, and continued across Europe and America. Here, salons were organized and held for the purposes of education and discussion around such topics as politics, the arts, and ideas. Read more about salons here. You'll see that Martha Washington and Gertrude Stien were famous salon hosts. Salons continue to this day. I discovered a website that helps people learn how to host an actual salon. It looks like they often center around a meal. However, I am a member of an online salon discussion group on Facebook, hosted by Coreopsis: a Journal of Myth & Theatre. It seems that the group I am in is a conversation around the ideas that the journal deals with, and within that group, members can host salons. In the group description it reads: "This is a group for information regarding the occasional Society for Ritual Arts Salons. Discussion is invited concerning salons by and for the members and friends of the Society for Ritual Arts." While I have taken part in some of the discussion on the group page, I am not a member of the society at this point, and have not seen any actual online salons. I will admit that the academic and intellectual level of the journal intimidates me somewhat.
     Now it's your turn. Please reach out to me ASAP with your thoughts. Whichever name we choose is a little more than just a name. We are a group of somewhat like minded individuals who want to learn, share, and grow. How we do it can be informed by who we say we are. While the auspices under which we operate is identified as a church, we have not operated as a church. We have operated as a small gathering of people. I don't preach, I share my thoughts on topics and facilitate discussion. We don't take up a collection, but are open to support through volunteerism and donations. We haven't shared food other than a short communion or circle feast, but we can change that if we decide we want to. We are both online and local. How could we make that work? Let's start with the name. Is Brigid in the Desert a chautauqua, a lyceum, or a salon? Or do we just call it a "spiritual gathering?" What other ideas do you have?
   I don't want to make this decision by myself. This isn't meant to be the Suzy Cherry show.  However, I want to have it decided by the time we meet again in August. We meet the 2nd Sunday of the Month, so the deadline for this decision is 7.31.22. Oh - and even if you don't subscribe but read this missive by clicking a link on Facebook or Twitter, you can chime in as well. The email is pastorsuzycherry@gmail.com.