Many terms and processes lend themselves easily to definitions, but many of life's most import events don't. It's simple to define "conception,""pregnant," and "due date," but how do you define the feeling when your baby is finally placed in your arms? We can define "partner," "spouse," or even "best friend," but how do you define the person who has no socially constructed/approved title but will always remain in the deepest places in your heart?

And how do you define an experience that you pray will be deep, meaningful, spiritual, personal, interpersonal and, God willing, transformational? I think you don't define it; you experience it.

I invite you to come and experience H2O~Living Water with us beginning Sunday, February 21, at 2:00 p.m. in the MCC Austin sanctuary. For those of you who love to try new things, especially free-flowing, roll up your sleeves and jump in things, trust me, this will definitely be a new thing! For those of you who prefer familiarity and structure, we'll have that too.

Perhaps the best way to lift the veil off of H2O is through the title of a Peter Allen song, "Everything Old Is New Again." Through H2O, we will look back to the beginnings of Christianity, when followers of "The Way" gathered to share the good news of salvation in Christ, to share their food with one another, to commit themselves to caring for the poor in material goods and in spirit, and to encourage and support each other in living the Christian life.

H2O will be an opportunity to experience Christianity as it was before it was codified and creedalized and scripted to within an inch of its life. During H20 you will be invited to listen, to speak, to sing, to pray, to do and to be. Each gathering will provide you with an opportunity to receive assurance of God's love and presence; to refresh your spirit through scripture, song, prayer, and loving community; and to respond both during the gathering and afterwards to God's claim on your life and the transformational power of Christ.

H2O will not be a "led from up front" experience; it will be an "in the midst of" experience. You will have the opportunity to offer your own prayers, to ask questions of the pastors, and to enter fully into the liturgy, the work of the people.