Artist: Mark Pierson
Season of Advent 2024
Tea & Be and Tea & Be Communion are projects of the Rhythms of Grace Church community in Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand. They are offered with the hope of building and sustaining connection between people, and people with the Trinitarian community of God, in ways that lead to human flourishing.
We have provided this resource as a website page and you are also welcome to download a PDF copy. Further printed copies of this liturgy may be available from mark@markpierson.org.nz.
You are welcome to copy or redesign with acknowledgement (Mark Pierson and Rhythms of Grace Church, Auckland, 2024) and not for profit. I’d love to see a copy or photos of how you use it.
Cover photo: by Eric Johnston, The Rhythms of Grace Communion Table, Mt 11/28-30 MSG. (detail), painted by Derek Lind, Advent 2018.
Thanks to Karl Berzins for design and Clint Gibson, Ashleigh Lang and Julie Chamberlain for helpful user-comments on the first draft.
The Communion liturgy is modified from that of various Iona Abbey Worship books.
1.
Tea & Be Communion: a portable liturgy is a way of making any cup of tea (or other liquid) and any food, in any location, a sacramental (from Latin meaning “to make holy, set apart”) encounter, with the Trinitarian community of God. It can be used alone or communally (modify as needed.)
You will need:
• A cup of tea (made or ingredients to make)
• A hand towel (paper or fabric, wet or dry)
• A piece of food (bread or cake)
Lay out all the materials in front of you before you start (ideally on a sheet of paper or placemat to mark out the special space).
BE PREPARED
Wash/wipe your hands as a symbol of your willingness to receive what God has for you today. As you do so say,
“I wipe off the dust of the world and prepare myself to receive what God has for me.”
BE PRESENT
Sit comfortably.
Breathe in to a count of 4. Hold for a count of 4.
Breathe out to a count of 6. Hold for a count of 4.
(repeat six or seven times)
BE PRAYERFUL
(As you inhale say to yourself) Lord Jesus Christ
(As you exhale say to yourself) Make your presence known
(repeat for as long as you need to)
ENGAGE YOUR SENSES
The cup – its colour, texture, feel, history.
Dry tea – smell, look, touch, taste.
What memories are evoked?
2.
MAKE YOUR TEA
How has the smell, colour or texture changed?
PRAYER FOR TEA (communal, modify if solo)
As the cup holds the water
so we hold your presence, O God.
As the water draws the flavour
so your Spirit draws your life through us.
As the tea simply rests to fulfil its purpose,
may we be at rest as we drink,
and so move closer to being who you made us to be.
Amen.
Karakia Mo Te Tī
Pērā te kapu e puoto ana i te wai,
pērā ano hoki tātou e puototia i a koe, e Pā.
Pērā te wai e ngongi ana i te tawhara,
pērā ano hoki tou Wairua Tapu e ngongitia i tō oranga i a tātou.
Pērā te tī e okioki ana kia aroarotia
pērā ano hoki tātou e okioki ana kia inu,
kia aroarotia ki to tino whakaaro mā tātou.
Amine
(English by Mark Pierson, 2019. Translation into te reo Maori by Manaakinui Te Kahu, son of Rewai and Josie Te Kahu)
3.
READ SCRIPTURE (or find your own)
Jesus said,
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way God works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how God works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.”
Luke 12/29-32 (The Message Bible)
Read this through several times, noting what stands out to you.
>> Scroll down for steps 4-6
