www.blog.therefugeonline.org

this past sunday as we wrapped up our summer series on community, we wrote some identity poems related to the refuge & also ourselves. we thought we’d share the refuge ones so everyone could listen in on our heart. the first one was a community effort—each table contributed particular lines to the poem. the second one was written by sage and powerfully read during the sharing. both reflect the heart and ever-evolving identity of the refuge.

*****

we are seeking & welcoming friends

we wonder where this journey is taking us

we hear hopefulness from people we love & a fruitful silence

we see healing & chaos

we want true community, acceptance, humor, fun, realness & to make a difference

we are seeking & welcoming friends

we pretend that we’re cool, that nothing’s wrong

we feel known, uncomfortable, deeply connected, exposed, accepted, appreciated, safe & loved

we touch many lives & pressure points

we worry in our attempt to include the marginalized of society that we’ll turn our hearts back on all others

we cry with each other as we share our stories

we are seeking & welcoming friends

we understand that we don’t have all the answers

we say that relationships are intentional

we dream a lot, that we’d be a truly loving community, real people and love Jesus

we try to live our dreams

we hope for twinkle twinkle little star (stella’s addition), community & connection, honesty, equality, to be embracing, an extension of God’s love, to always be stretching outward, transparent to the world, to foster a deep sense of awareness of each person’s value.

we are seeking & welcoming friends

we are the refuge.

–written by the refuge community 8.11.08

*****

we are loving & chaotic

we wonder if we can really love one another

we hear God’s voice in and among us

we see God’s hand at work in us

we want a place to rest from our wandering

we are loving & chaotic

we pretend to be understanding & welcoming

we feel wrapped in community

we touch hands as brothers & sisters in Christ

we worry that we can’t do this

we cry when we fall short

we are loving & chaotic

we understand that God’s love is real

we say that Jesus makes everything possible

we dream they kingdom come, thy will be done

we try to make that happen for everyone

we hope to bring God’s kingdom for all

we are loving & chaotic

we are the refuge

- sage harmos, 8.11.08