Events for the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington
- This event has passed.
Zimzum Discipleship: Practices for a Christ-Centered Life
Sun, October 19 at 9:30 am to 10:15 am PDT
Into our frenetic lifestyle, Jesus invites us to follow Him. He bids us to slow down, make space, and intentionally choose a different way. We are invited to embrace zimzum, a sacrificial emptying within ourselves in which God works. This is a time for reflection in community to invite God ever deeper in our lives.
These free classes for adults take place from 9:30 am to 10:15 am at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington. We invite anyone in the community to join us.
Church of the Redeemer provides a children classes during this time. That class uses Episcopal Children’s Curriculum (ECC), a thematic Sunday school curriculum tied to the seasons of the church year.
Zimzum
The self-imposed “withdrawal” of a part of God is the definition of “zimzum.” This enables the creation of the universe, as described by Isaac Luria.
Isaac Luria introduced four central themes into Kabbalistic cosmology:
- Zimzum, divine contraction
- Shevirat HaKelim, the shattering of the vessels
- Tikkun, repair and rectification
- Partzufim, the arrangement of divine personas
These concepts form a continuous and interrelated process describing how the finite world emerged from divine infinity. Zimzum represents the initial withdrawal of divine light (Ohr Ein Sof). This created a “vacant space” (chalal panui) where independent existence could emerge.
Bishop LaBelle wondered what sort of implications that zimzum might have for us. He wondered if, as bearers of the image of God, that we too are called to embrace zimzum. That is, to make space in our overly filled lives to be in relationship with God and to others and the natural worlds. Nearly every inch of our lives is at full capacity. Most days we go to bed spent with only more of the same on the horizon.
Related Events
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.