The Desert Room

So, this is the first installation of a series on the new chapel. It is finally complete! Pictures and words can't truly describe it. The chapel is divided into eight rooms by black curtains that hang from the celing. They all meet in the center where the cross design is in the floor (see previous post). There is usually some type of music on but there are individual CD players and tons of CDs for people to use for their time in the chapel. Each room is designed to be a private station for prayer and reflection. It is coming out of the "Emerging" movement in the church that seeks to incorporate ancient and modern forms of worship while engaging all the senses: site, sounds, texture, smell, etc. Scriptures and short devotionals are posted in each room that help the visitor facilitate worship.
The Desert Room in this picture has 600 pounds of sand on the floor surrounded by smooth river rocks. The eight foot cross in the center has a bucket of nails and a hammer at the base. The scripture posted now is from Matthew where Jesus is led into the desert to be tempted by Satan. The devotional below encourages the worshiper to sit in the sand and imagine being in the desert, imagine their own temptations. They can take a nail and hammer it into the cross, symbolizing giving that temptation over to Christ.
I could write forever about each room! I am so proud of Justin and his students. They have done such an amazing job on this chapel. They have designed it prayerfully and meticulously. When you enter, you are overwhelmed by a sense of God's presence. Hopefully, most of you will get a chance to visit and experience it for yourself. We are also working on making a DVD to share for those who are too far to stop by.