Community of the Wild Goose MONTHLY Gatherings
WHO AND WHAT IS THIS?
A monthly gathering named and inspired by the Celtic’s image of Spirit, Wild Goose (for more see below). The gathering was created by Henry Rojas, a former NBA mascot/Chaplain and a bunch of hooligans in recovery ~ but we are not a recovery church or program! ~ welcoming anyone, whatever your journey of strong faith or no faith, doubting or seeking, religious or non-religious, wealthy or not so much, who love the idea of love but do it awkwardly.
The hour is a spiritual connection through creative arts, a message for growth and storytelling. We are rooted in the Jesus teachings of Loving God and Loving Others without caveat and without exclusion. Quite frankly many of us are healing from a quite different message we received in “the church.” Spirit is compassionately re-wiring our wounded images of an angry, vengeful, punishing, distant, cosmic social worker of a God.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE MEET?
Live music occasionally happens, laughter is fairly recurrent, children make noises, spills occur, we run out of chairs and cause great commotion in getting more out. Henry tells stories in his message that are sometimes relevant but often unplanned, because he has the attention span of a dog in a pool for the first time. There is occasional holy heckling and you might even see a tear due to a personal epiphany or even an amen that sounds a lot more like “holy s#*!” We attempt to explain who we are to the curious, but are fairly unsuccessful in doing so because it doesn’t sound like “real” church.
You just have to be there, and I promise the Goose followers will gladly annoy you with a stumbling explanation. Yet mysteriously we come back again because the underlying message and vibe is in this life “You belong! Regardless of what you believe!”
WHY THE GOOSE THING?
The Celtic Christians looked at nature and saw God revealed in all His glory. They understood God best when they took symbols from what they experienced. The Holy Spirit was symbolized by the wild goose. Doves were docile and delicate, but the wild goose was untamable, free, and unpredictable. Instead of a soft coo, the wild goose was noisy and raucous. And it seemed always to be on the move—on a pilgrimage ordained by the Lord Himself.
Jesus said that those Christians who were led by the Spirit were like the wind—you don’t know where it comes from and you don’t know where it’s going. A Spirit follower is one who follows the wild goose is wild and free themselves. They have lives that are less than predictable. Spirit followers live life to the full (John 10:10). They are wild and free, untamable either by society that would bind them with lies, or by religion that would chain them with duty and obligation. —Adapted from Bill Tenney-Brittain whoever he is! We Googled it.
A life following in the tailwind of the wild goose. That’s the kind of life that calls to our innermost being and awakens the lethargic longings within.
If you really want to live life to its fullest—to live a life that follows the Wild Goose, we invite you to consider yourself a member of the Community of the Wild Goose community. Whether you attend or not, whether you believe or not… you belong. So enough now shut up and grab a donut and coffee and bask in all the awkwardness.
Free coffee and donuts will be available!
Registration is NOT required, but if you would like us to keep in touch with you, you may click the red REGISTER button.
9 Comments
David
I love it! The awkwardness of being alive. The awkwardness of being real. The perfection of being in His presence.
Teri L Undreiner
Just what I’m looking for! I’ll be attending June 2. It says Weekly gathering but then June 2. Is it also weekly?
Solveig Muus
Hi Teri. It’s a monthly gathering, and we’ll look forward to seeing you. Thanks for the eagle eye, we’ll amend the text!
Ben Phillips
I love this community and I’m so thankful for Henry’s heart as he listens to the heart/Spirit of God and shares it authentically with anyone and everyone in his life. I’m so excited to rediscover this community!
Solveig Muus
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Ben ~ we agree! Please note the first community gathering at Spirit in the Desert has changed to March 3.
Tracie
Dude yay!
Ed Bernard
I love this group. It is informal while offering well thoughtout and realistic spiritual guidance.
Michael
Pastor Henry always seems to say what needs to be said. I have been to many churches, but I feel like I truly belong when I am there. Pastor Henry speaks of the “welcoming love” of God and I can feel it.
Solveig Muus
We truly appreciate you sharing your experience with us. It warms our hearts to know that Pastor Henry’s message has made a meaningful impact on you and that you feel a deep sense of belonging here. Our sole purpose is to provide a nurturing environment where everyone can experience the comforting love of God, and we are genuinely grateful that you have felt this connection. We eagerly anticipate continuing this journey of faith together with you.