Barefoot Communion

Last night we had our last summer 505 church service outside on the lawn. The weather was absolutely perfect. The sun was low in the sky, the breeze was light, the temperature was just right - not too warm, not too cool. As I listened to Becca's sermon, I heard the small, quiet voice in my mind say, "remove your shoes, you are standing on holy ground."

Taking off my shoes sounded like a super idea. In general, I think people should be barefoot on the grass. The grass just seems to draw us to take off our shoes. Maybe it goes back to childhood, maybe back to our ancestors who traveled across the landscape without shoes. But our feet were made to touch the ground. When I took off my sandals, the grass was cool and prickly. I felt free, and a little bit naughty, this was a church service after all and I was breaking the dress code.

For a moment I thought about how spiritual it would be serve communion later in the service in bare feet. It felt right. It felt holy and sacred and perfect. Removing the shoes that separate me from the ground, that protect me from things that might hurt, that comfort me from pain and provide support, that cover the not-so-pretty parts. I wanted to shed all those barriers and just meet the Holy in my bare feet on the grass and feel God's green earth under my feet. I wanted to stand up there breaking bread (and the dress code), serving communion, and experience that sacred ritual a new way.

But my inner critic spoke up and asked what that would look like to the observer, and how I would be judged? I looked down at my 48 year old feet, the bunions, the slightly red, raised calluses from years of rubbing the insides of shoes, the DIY toenail paint job, and then I replaced my sandals.

I regret that now.

I want to know people authentically and to be known authentically myself. I want to worship authentically, and be able to authentically offer communion - even in my bare feet. Yet I was more concerned about the judgment of others (during Communion of all times!), and the appearances of having my shoes off - as if that would somehow communicate that I was making the sacred less so by being barefoot when actually the opposite would have occurred. It is clear that I need to diminish the voice of my inner critic and amplify the small, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit.

I've learned my lesson; I know better now.

Next time I have the chance, I will serve Barefoot Communion and it will be spectacular!

The Bald Eagle Shrug

First, thanks for all the positive feedback on the crocheted shrug I made this week. A few of you have asked for the pattern, so I'm putting together this little blog post to provide links to the original pattern, as well as the alterations I made to mine, and some photos, and tips.

I saw this shrug pattern online and was totally enamored with the snuggly, soft look of it. However, I wanted mine to be shorter, more like waist length, and maybe just to the elbows. At least for starters, I wanted to start small, see how it went.

Lion Brand also has free patterns for a variety shrug styles. And there are free patterns available on Ravelry.

So, here's the pattern for the one I made this week while camping at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, PA:

Supplies:
About 500 yards of super bulky #6 yarn. I used Lion Brand, Heartland, Thick & Quick, the color is Katmai #151.
9mm or 10mm hook (the original pattern calls for a 10mm, but I accidentally used the 9mm and the shrug came out quite thick).
A measuring tape
Stitch markers
Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Steps:
1) Measure on yourself the length you want the shrug to be. I measured from my neck to my waist which was about 25 inches.
2) Measure on yourself (you might need a friend for this) the width from just above your left elbow to just above your right elbow while your arms are held out to the sides (imagine you are the letter T). Mine was about 28 inches.
3) Chain as many stitches as required to measure the length you chose in step 1 (neck to waist). Mine was about 55 stitches. Do not stretch the chain, let it be loose.
4) Single Crochet (SC) into each stitch of the chain until you reach the end.
5) Turn your work, chain one, and SC in the back loops only to the end.
6) Repeat step 5 until your work reaches about the width you measured in step 2 (elbow to elbow).
7) When I had still enough yarn left to do a couple more rows, I opted to turn my work 90 degrees and SC along the entire outer edge of the shrug creating a neat crocheted edge along all four sides.

8) Once the rectangle is complete, lay it flat and fold the corners down toward the center until the long sides (soon to be the arms) meet. It should look like this:

9) Measure about 5 inches in from the outside edge and place a stich marker on the top and bottom panels. You will stich together the arm panel next.

10) Line up the ends of the arms panels, and using the Tapestry Needle, stich the two rows of SC together, working from the center toward the armhole. Stop at the stich markers and either knot the end or work the yarn back to the center in an opposite manner (which is what I did below, it sort of formed an X). 

11) Repeat step 10 on the left side of the shrug. You should have the same number of stitches within each arm hole. 

Voila! You've made a shrug!

I'd love to hear how yours turns out, or if you have questions or comments about my instructions.

Love & Peace to you & yours!

~Jen