A Way We Hold in Common | the bE.kON Rule of Life
bE.kON is a word layered and textured with meaning. It is a combination of the word be with the greek word eikon; a veiled reference to the beginnings of words like connect and contemporary (meaning ‘with’); while also closely resembling the word beacon as in the name of the neighborhood we are located in Beacon Hill.
• be has to do with presence and place, it is about existing and living
• eikon has to do with image or representation, it is where we get the word ‘icon’,
which is an image into the divine
bE.kON is a collective hope of being and becoming the imagination of G-d. Humanity is made in the image of G-d and are the creative outlet of G-d’s imagination. By having a way of life in common we hope to live out what this Imagination of G-d is in our world.
our Presence | be.ing with
bE.kON reminds us that ‘being with’ is our regular posture of presence. We are intentionally positioning ourselves to stand in solidarity with those on the margins of our society and institutions. We do not limit our presence to only human, but also include non-human life in our presence. We are reminded that our highest goal is to simply be present with each other in the midst of darkness, chaos, suffering, peace and joy.
As we live our lives in solidarity with those on the margins we are mindful of that which marginalizes others. This mindfulness reminds us of our prophetic stance against evil, oppression, systemic violence, and abuse of power in all its forms.
Our collective awareness of the complex reality of our world calls us to be present to ourselves, our community, our planet and others with whom we live life. Presence is contextual and will look different from one moment to another, reminding us that being present always involves a deep listening and an opening to the Imagination of G-d.
our Posture
be.ing in mindful relationship of self, others, G-d
be.coming unfinished and (re)creating into the Imagination of G-d
be.longing as desire of being together in sameness and difference
be.lieving as seeing the limits and expanse of our beliefs
be.loved people of G-d who give and receive love
be.ginning to take cyclical rhythm seriously and responsible for (re)creating life
be.ckoning G-d to come near and to come near to G-d
our Practice
hospitality – to be in relationship and be a people of welcome
generosity – to give abundantly and receive well
simplicity – to live humbly and within our means
responsibility - to care for creation and work for justice
proximity - to act locally and live in relationship with neighbors
creativity - to be generative and participate in creative change around us
complexity - to recognize and hold tension in relationship
our Rhythm | living with intention, free to fail and succeed
Daily
+ a spiritual/centering practice
+ gratitude and remembering those without
+ kindness toward others
+ mindful eating, sleeping, working and exercising
Monthly
+ communal project/service
+ unstructured community time
+ business brunches
+ relational check-in
Ordinary
+study
+give
+play
+public liturgy (seasonal)
Weekly
+communal gathering
+Eucharist
+Sabbath
+relationship
