(there is a slide at the beginning of the video that says Dec 12, we are aware of this mistake but as it is was present during the session and this is a recording it is present in the video – this is the Jan 9 session)
Jarmo’s Slides from this Session
Immediately following our session January 9, Jeanette Berger, a participant in Second Saturday Conversation, wrote this poem and sent it to Marianne. She said the conversation on Saturday inspired her and gave rise to “A Middle Voice.” Marianne was taken by it. Moved by it. And asked her permission to post it for you as well. Thank you Jeanette, for this gift of language and insight.
Invitation to the Middle
Here is the invitation to the middle place–
neither right nor left, up nor down,
Where it’s uncomfortable,
what with its lack of surety
Where there are more questions than answers
Where I alone am responsible for my choices and beliefs
(no authority to tell me what to believe)
Where I continue a journey of listening for my stirrings
And growing a muscle of tolerance
In order to acknowledge them
And allow space for others, too
Where I lean fully into the present moment
Walking intentionally into the middle place again
becoming a bit more whole, again
And again
And again.
—
Jeannette Beeger
These Second Saturday Conversations are so meaningful to me…..they confirm my faith experience in a way that validates the truth of the Heart of Christianity. I am thankful to you, Marianne, for being courageous enough to carry on this work so gracefully and vulnerablely…..sharing your experiences and heart with us. I was privileged to be introduced to Marcus’ teachings through my dear sister who has also passed on but is with me still.
We were blessed to hear Marcus at Jesus Seminar events and share a meal on one occasion….what a gift! I hope to make it to Bend sometime from our home here in southeastern Virginia! ❤