Our group discussed how the biblical texts and various biblical metaphors and narratives were engaged in the focus situation “Wailing Wall” as presented by Anne Lamott.

Anne Lamott tells the children the short version of King Solomon and the temple he build for God as well as the purpose of the temple. Lanott through her telling of the story was able to capture the attention of the boys in the group and bring across the learning points of God’s constant presence in our lives. We talked about how Lamott engaged the students in the theme of letting it all go to God by way of the Wailing Wall through the narrative of the Old Testament texts that describe the building of the temple and then the subsequent destruction by “the bad guys from the north” four hundred years later.

We also saw many other biblical metaphors arise throughout the events that unfolded in the focus situation. For example, the Parable of the Prodigal Son was an image that emerged as part of the “Loved and Chosen” activity that Lamott did with everyone in the group. Lamott discussed how she had difficulties with her friend Tom’s reminder to her that everyone is loved and chosen  – forgiven and welcomed home into the eternal kingdom of God.  We also engaged John 15:16 , in this activity of “Loved and Chosen” where Jesus says, “You did not choose me but I chose you.”  The hymn “All are Welcome” reminds us that we are chosen and welcome in God’s house. In addition, we talked about Lamott’s preparation for this class and were reminded of Jesus not only welcoming children but teaching others to do the same (Luke 18:15-17). The children praying together and the bowing of their heads, folding of their hands brought to mind various scripture passages that refer to how people prayed: on their knees in 1 Kings 8; bowing down in prayer in Exodus 4; on their faces before God in 2 Chronicales 20, Matthew 26 and 1 Kings 8.

The Great Thanksgiving in the Holy Communion Liturgy and Lamott’s theme of letting our issues go to God remind us that no matter how heavy our hearts, we are invited to lift up our hearts to God and that “letting go” is a right, a duty and a joy. Like coming to the wall – we come to the altar and “let go”.

The students are learning that they are loved and chosen by God. No matter what they do, God will always love them and not forsake them. The image of the Wailing Wall is a reminder that no matter what happens in our lives, what events or circumstances that leave us broken, lost, destroyed, crumbled or trampled, God does not leave us. God’s love remains. God’s love stands tall, is strong and is the place where we are invited to abide. Romans 8: 37-39 – nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The physical example she gave them of dropping the marker to pick up a juice box helped them understand the concept of letting things go. The children are learning to let go of worry and ask God for help. The students are also learning the practice of prayer in community and she provides them with a particular way they can physically prepare their bodies to engage in prayer.

The most important learning goal that an educational leader would focus on is that God is always present in our lives. Telling of the story is important but knowing the story through the Loved and Chosen activity allows the students to: experience God’s faithful love and how that feels as well as; understanding that God chose them and the affirmation of this by it being spoken out-loud. God is present in their life even when everything feels like it is crumbling down around them.

Additional resources that were identified include a view of the Western Wall in Jerusalem via a live web cam as well as a sacred space website which gives attention to prayer and reflection in your day.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 12:18 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through this RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.