What are all those words on the CD cover?

What, you can't read them?  (see the cover here)
OK, so they're a bit small... but they're good. It's a description Kim wrote up of the theme: "Take Your Place" and it's worth a read.


"Take Your Place" is an invitation to come and take our place at God's table; a place that is reserved for each of us.  And it is a command to stand up and take our place, to act, speak, and live in ways that support and affirm each other, all over the world.  Take your place…both an invitation and a command.  It tells us that we are part of a family, and because we belong to this family, we have a responsibility to do what we can to help each other, as Jesus commands us to.   The chorus of a song on the 4th cd reads:

"Take your place at the table
Spread your wings, time to soar
Take your place at the table
Make your life an open door."

We are called to live our lives in ways that keep us open to being interrupted, to keep our door open to the stranger, the afflicted, the hurt, homeless and hungry.  We are called to nurture the gift of hospitality and kindness, and the gift of action and courage to create change where we can.  And this can happen when we find nourishment and support at God's table, along with our brothers and sisters.  While our hope as Christians is in the forgiveness, salvation and eternal life that Jesus offers, until we get there, there is a lot of work to do. Verse one:

"I don't know if you've been told
The streets of heaven are paved with gold
While I think that could be true
There's lots more work down here to do."

So, the theme "Take Your Place" invites us to come and be in a community where we are loved and accepted; and to also be in a community that holds us accountable and challenges us to take action where we can, and to help our brothers and sisters around the world.  Joseph is a wonderful example of the theme "Take Your Place".  He works tirelessly with his community to educate, support and encourage people who may not know about HIV/AIDS, or how it is transmitted, and with those living with AIDS.  He stands up and speaks on behalf of the widows, orphans and vulnerable people, and finds ways to support them and encourage them, inviting them to take their place in their community.  Taking your place requires humility and courage to sit at God's table and to stand up and act.

Take your place.