A Communion Chalice or
Two People Gathered Together.
The option, “A
Communion Chalice or Two People Gathered Together”
is a variation of the classic faces-vase illustration of a figure-ground
picture (what you notice vs. the background that makes up the whole and
influences what you notice). Your
brain’s perceptual field will settle for either image as the “figure” (the
chalice, or the two people) and the other image then serves as background - making up the whole.
This image
illustrates how two or more people gathered together in holy communion are
enabled to see the chalice. And
sharing the chalice with others in communion allows people to notice how they
are gathered together.
The power of
this illustration rests on its neuroscience reality combined with its Biblical
truth. Such “truth plus reality”
enables programs that empower older adults to start with either the people
gathered or the communion chalice; for both are needed to see the whole.
This “reality
plus truth” repudiates notions that we must start with a Biblical truth
as we see it, if we are to create older adult ministries in the church. To understand that we can start with
either a religious principle or the creative possibilities among people
gathered, frees congregations to build their older adult ministries in a manner
that fits their own membership needs, talents, situation and hopes. A subsequent proliferation of ”true and
realistic” ideas will enable the church to survive and the older adults to find
faith, meaning and well-being together.
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