A Question about the Public Setting
My friend and great supporter, Gregg Carder, recently wrote to me with a reasonable concern that I’ve heard expressed by others interested in the project. Below is his thoughtful email to me with part of my response.
Q: “We've briefly communicated about my feeling that Compline should be done in a church setting. There's a natural quiet solemnity, an inward contemplative aspect of the office which probably cannot be realized in a potentially frenetic public setting - that is, an unprepared public setting. In such a public setting, wouldn't the religiosity and spirituality of Compline be lost, wouldn't we become sort of a ‘cult’-esque freak show; so, therefore (I guess I don't understand), what's the point?”
A: I understand your reservations, and know that I have some too. Others have expressed their concern over a non-church setting as well, and I understand the apprehension. Fortunately, the venue for this Sunday is in a quiet park, already colored with the atmosphere of the Met’s Cloister Museum. The park itself has the feel of the grounds of a large monastery (although it isn't, of course, but the grounds are very peaceful). The Heather Garden, the masonry throughout the park imitative of old church stonework, and its situation - isolated up at the northern tip of the island - all contribute to the tranquil atmosphere.
For sure, there will not be the same quiet solemnity as there would be in a church. However, Fort Tryon Park at any given time is much more quiet and peaceful than most public settings in New York and will be very conducive to the Compline experience. One thing that I'm hoping is that most people's reaction will be, "Gee, what is that sound coming from over there? What are those people doing?" and that they may stop to observe or politely move along. There may be those who continue conversations as they pass by, but hopefully the distractions will be few and infrequent. We'll have to let go of our desire as we might have in a concert that everyone “listen.”
There won't be a spectacle aspect to this service as there might be in a church (choreography, robes, icons, or crosses). There will be a poster outside of the tunnel with a brief explanation of what's going on. We'll all be in plain clothes; there'll be some candles perhaps. We won't be singing as a concert, or exhibition. Inside the tunnel, we will all draw ourselves in and toward the other. The hope is that this will not be to the exclusion of others, but rather, the intensity of our connection will invite others to join. What will help with this will be the small group of friends and supporters also observing, who through their own actions will demonstrate a response. Not everyone will follow.
Finally, I must share the heart of the matter for me. This is a real way for us to proclaim our faith using the unique gifts that we have. The service itself, as you've noted, is not traditional Compline. It's something different, and in that difference, we seek to express something accessible and understood by many. One of Compline's strongest themes is of the One who shines light into the night. Jesus told his own disciples that they also could show forth light, and he even told them that they were the Light of the World. He told them, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.”
Certainly, there are unknowns in the workability of this venue and in this type of public presentation, but I will try (with your help and the help of others) to make it something far apart from a “freak show.” The setting, our approach and language, the sounds, our "light" must work to draw others in. Care to give it a try with me? The worst that could happen is that we discover this location doesn’t fit our goals, but maybe something will happen when two or three are gathered....
Wednesday, August 23, 2006