Best Practice in Worship Focus Use

The use of the worship focus can be very important. We know that historically crosses, crucifixes, icons and other objects have been used to direct the attention of congregations and educate them - and consider the triptychs of mediaeval religious art. And in Beaker tradition we find it important that people know the right way to look. Freed as I now am, dear Readers, from the task of eavesdropping on the Beaker People, I have been able to do some serious research into the way in which different traditions can enable people to focus during worship.

---

In this first example, there is no argument about who is the focus of the congregation's attention. Apart from A and B, who are left over from my researches into worship furniture arrangements.

---

In this second example, the preacher has been given a better sense of priorities.

---

If the example below fits in with your beliefs - where else could you possibly focus?

---

Here, all extraneous objects of interest have been removed, enabling the congregation to put its attention, under divine guidance, where it is most important.

---

A typical Beaker arrangement - in a circle so we all get the sense of sharing. A and B really should get a room. While "ADE", whoever that is, is quite annoyed about the attention being paid to K (Kylie, or, as it may be, Kayleigh). Likewise, D is wondering what C finds so interesting in E.

---

A perfect Beaker worship setting. All eyes are on the triad of tea lights - soothing the spirits and elevating their souls.

Rock Shortage

You wouldn't think this could happen,  in a community built on sandstone, but we've run out of rocks.

We've got a very important labyrinth to build this afternoon. But between endless ceremonies where we were contemplating pebbles, the cairns that are now littering the landscape (which we cemented into place for health and safety reasons) and the seventeen labyrinths that are now all over the community grounds, we seem to be pebble-free. Alan Titchmarsh could only dream of such soil.

I'm currently negotiating with the Moot the possibility of dismantling some of the existing labyrinths - but they seem to be channeling the spirit of English Heritage here, and are arguing that every labyrinth, being a place of worship, must be preserved just as it is forever. So in the meantime if everyboday could please check their rooms? I reckon enough people will be devout in their private devotions that we will be able to patch up a reasonable, if smallish, new labyrinth. If that doesn't work, we're going to have to use some packs of Hnaef's liberal hi-vises.