for Sunday, June 20 (Proper 7)

Ready or Not

Isaiah 65:1–2 (3–9) Other lections: 1Kings 19:1–4 (5–7) 8–15a; Psalm 42 and 43 or Psalm 22:19–28; Galatians 3:23–29; Luke 8:26–39

The single Hebrew word that says “Here I am” throughout the Bible is a lot of fun to teach and learn: hiNENnee. You can turn it into a noncompetitive game something like “Marco Polo”:

Clear your space of obstacles and ask participants to scatter throughout it, close their eyes (no need to worry about complete shielding), and turn around three times. While they keep their eyes closed, invite them to move around until they touch another person. When they do, each should say “hinennee,” and then quietly tell each other something that is important in their lives. Pairs stay together until they can identify each other. Then they can step apart, turn three times again, and go to look for another partner.

If you have older participants or those who aren’t comfortable moving around with eyes closed, help them to find spots in the midst of the game where they can sit and wait to be stumbled upon.

After the game runs its course, you can ask participants to share some of what they learned about and from each other.

Musical ideas: Anything about light, vision, or call, from “This Little Light of Mine” to “Be Thou My Vision.” See the Timbrels Web site for a back-translation of Spanish words to “Open My Eyes” that updates the language and emphasizes light.