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(Beyond the Pall is a continuing series following missional engagement with the Neo-Pagan community in Salem, MA and beyond. The story began with the death of a friend who was a prominent Witch in Salem. I was a pall-bearer at his funeral, and so this series carries the title with its not un-purposeful reference to the term “beyond the pale.”)
She screamed from inside the locked vault. I closed only one of the two massive doors of our double-doored vault. As I turned the handle, the gentle clicking noise accompanied the narrowing of the thin crack of light until it disappeared altogether. Then she screamed all the louder, but these were faint and distant cries to us.
Within the locked vault a person cannot see their hand before their face. Complete and utter darkness envelopes you, and no amount of time will allow your eyes to adjust to see even faint images.
I allowed her to scream a short time - short for me, but perhaps an eternity for her. After about 45 seconds I spun the handle counter-clockwise, and the gentle clicking gave way to the fine crack of light, and then to the opening of the door.
She was free again. The Witch who was a mother of two young children emerged from the Vault. She was cursing, and shouting, and confessing sins, and saying she did not deserve this.
We listened. We laughed. We discussed the experience with her.
She described the utter feeling of isolation, and the sense of truly understanding the concept of Hell as outer darkness.
She said thank you - repeatedly.
After she left, we scratched our heads, and considered this strange, but remarkable interaction.
She had come into our church meeting space. It is a 200 year-old bank, with a massive vault directly opposite the entrance. She came with her friend. Both dressed mildly witchy in black, with tall shoes.
We discussed our plans for an event, which we are planning for the Halloween season in Salem. These Witch friends of ours were publicizing, and helping sponsor the event for us. We described elements of this event, which we call "The Brimstone Chronicles." "The Brimstone Chronicles" will walk through the history of the Christian concepts of death, and the afterlife. It will include an experience of outer darkness. People will be asked to consider outer darkness as they are locked into the old vault for a short time.
She was excited about the idea, and asked to be locked in the vault. We asked if she was sure she wanted to do this. She was insistent. We obliged, and the strange story of screaming, cursing, confessing sins, and thanking us for the experience unfolded.
A couple weeks later she returned on a Sunday afternoon. She was walking downtown Salem with her mother.
"Mom, this is Pastor Phil," she smiled proudly, "Pastor Phil, this is my mother."
"I've heard so much about you. It is nice to be able to put a face with the name." Her mother replied.
We spoke awhile, and even reminisced about the experience with outer darkness.
My friend the Witch had asked for Hell. We gave it to her, and somehow we were still friends. Her Roman Catholic mother thanked me for being a positive influence. They left.
I scratched my head again.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
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I'm scratchin' my head too. Brilliant.
Once again Pastor Phil, you brought it. What an interesting idea....so did you use it? What was the outcome?
I guess it just goes to show that sometimes crazy isn't so much....
Phil - Thanks bro.
Hey Ann,
The event we are planning to use that idea on has not yet occurred. We are doing it in October. Hopefully I will have an update on the event.
I've just finished reading this series of articles, and I have to tell you what an encouragement it is.
Even though I've never been focused on the Neo-pagan movement per se, I -have- become disillusioned when it comes to Christianity, and it's just a comforting thought to know that there's someone out there who truly understands...and lives...the message of Christ. [That being of course to love people even if you don't agree with them.]
I hope to read more of this series in the future. ^^
Thanks Liz,
It's nice to see that there are people who also believe understanding others fits into the Gospel mandate.
What is still bothersome is the dialog around the spiritual nature of Christianity is based on fear. The fear of outer darkness. The other subtle assumption and implication is that Christianity is the only source of light. I have not found that to be true. The cure for darkness in not fleeing it, but to bring light into it.
Richard,
Thanks for the input. I am not sure if you have read the other parts of this series, but you will find that Hell, or Outer Darkness are not particularly major themes in this ongoing story. I am not convinced Christianity is based in fear either, but having said that I am not convinced that fear is not a realistic part of true spirituality. We should fear the results of heinous behavior, and flee behaving in a heinous manner.
As far as Christianity as the only source of light - well, I would not say that. I wouldd say that about Jesus though.
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I'm scratchin' my head too. Brilliant. Posted by phil | Posted at 09/08/2007 3:38 PM
Once again Pastor Phil, you brought it. What an interesting idea....so did you use it? What was the outcome?
I guess it just goes to show that sometimes crazy isn't so much....
Posted by Ann | Posted at 09/09/2007 9:47 AMPhil - Thanks bro. Posted by Phil Wyman | Posted at 09/09/2007 6:25 PM
Hey Ann,
The event we are planning to use that idea on has not yet occurred. We are doing it in October. Hopefully I will have an update on the event.
Posted by Phil Wyman | Posted at 09/09/2007 6:27 PMI've just finished reading this series of articles, and I have to tell you what an encouragement it is.
Even though I've never been focused on the Neo-pagan movement per se, I -have- become disillusioned when it comes to Christianity, and it's just a comforting thought to know that there's someone out there who truly understands...and lives...the message of Christ. [That being of course to love people even if you don't agree with them.]
I hope to read more of this series in the future. ^^
Posted by Liz | Posted at 09/11/2007 11:46 AMThanks Liz,
It's nice to see that there are people who also believe understanding others fits into the Gospel mandate.
Posted by Phil Wyman | Posted at 09/12/2007 3:49 AMWhat is still bothersome is the dialog around the spiritual nature of Christianity is based on fear. The fear of outer darkness. The other subtle assumption and implication is that Christianity is the only source of light. I have not found that to be true. The cure for darkness in not fleeing it, but to bring light into it. Posted by Richard Harty | Posted at 09/14/2007 3:17 PM
Richard,
Thanks for the input. I am not sure if you have read the other parts of this series, but you will find that Hell, or Outer Darkness are not particularly major themes in this ongoing story. I am not convinced Christianity is based in fear either, but having said that I am not convinced that fear is not a realistic part of true spirituality. We should fear the results of heinous behavior, and flee behaving in a heinous manner.
As far as Christianity as the only source of light - well, I would not say that. I wouldd say that about Jesus though.
Posted by Phil Wyman | Posted at 09/16/2007 4:13 PM