10 Trinity Sq
Toronto, ON
M5G 1B1
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reflections and sermons posted here are the work of individual members of Holy Trinity. Opinions expressed are those of the writer or preacher and do not necessarily reflect an official or even popular opinion within the parish.
We Are Clopen!
SARA BOYLES
The word of the week is clopen. It was introduced to us by David Brooke at The Parish Weekend. Clopen is the thing to be as a community. It has implications for being both closed and open. A mathematical word, used to describe sets (along with open sets and closed sets), it implies being both closed and open. It is not a common word, in fact my computer believes that I am misspelling every time I use it!
It helps deal with the fact that we are not open to everything. We are not open to prejudice or evil or discrimination. We are open to searching and doubting, safety and celebration. It is a happy concept for me. It has always bothered me that we say we are open when I know in fact we have boundaries and limits. I can accept this in a responsible way now without hearing a discrepancy between our words and actions. It allows a kind of integrity I have not experienced before.
Now this introduction by David was the first time I have listened to a mathematician ply his knowledge and skill to mesmerize a community. There were many "ahaas" around the room as he danced around the flip chart, illustrating with drawings of sets. We were keen to listen and learn (once he had our attention) about who we are and what we want to be.
Clopen, what Helen would have us be - defined, engaged, open and closed, always mindful of our connection to the world, always remembering the spiritual aspect of all life and the flow of life, in and out. Open and closed, in and out, breathe, life, clopen.
Breathe into this day,
Sara November 30, 1999 |
