Wednesday, June 5, 2024
It has been a wonderful few weeks – our anniversary celebrations, the beginning of Pentecost, and last Sunday the beginning of a series of services focusing on being an inclusive and welcoming church. On top of that General Assembly is in town this week so for those die hard Presbyterians out there, there is lots for you to do if you want 😊. On Sunday night the former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Rev. Mary Fontaine, preached at the opening worship service. As an indigenous elder herself she invited us on a journey, and true to the spirit of indigenous leaders, we wandered here and there as she spoke about walking through the trees together in a spirit of care and kindness, love and compassion, deep connection and inclusion. And at the end, she had a very simple but profound request for us all. On paper she said, the Presbyterian Church in Canada is saying all the right things to work towards reconciliation, but we needed to put it into action. She asked every person in the assembly that night, every single one of us, to promise to make a connection, to build a relationship with an indigenous person. I loved that request because when we are in relationships with people who are different than us, slowly we see their humanity, we see their personalities, we see their gifts and abilities, we see them as people.
Rev. Mary Fontaine’s message is so appropriate for us today here at St. Andrew’s as well. To be an inclusive, open and welcoming church means that all of us be willing to begin new relationships with people we do not yet know. It is something we can all do. I celebrate the increasing diversity of our church – made possible by that inclusive and welcoming spirit. And as Mary Fontaine says, everyone of us has a part to play. For help in this journey she talked about the power of listening to trees. To some of us that may sound strange. But trees are part of the Judeo-Christian tradition as well. The poetry of the prophets and poets talk about the cedars of Lebanon for example. They were known for their strength and their size. They flourish as God waters them and cares for them. They were evidence of God’s abundant grace. Indeed all of creation witnesses to God’s grace with our own tradition. So as we take up the call to be inclusive, lean into the power of God’s grace as you see it and experience it in creation. Listen to the trees, to the flowers, to the birds of the air. When things become overwhelming and you are concerned you can do no more, take a moment to be quiet. Stop and just be. See yourself as part of God’s creation, surrounded by all things made by God the Spirit of Love and Care, of Inclusion and Belonging. Know that you too are loved by God. Drink from this ever flowing stream of love. It is, in my experience, the only thing that gives strength, courage and confidence to be wildly and extravagantly inclusive in our love towards others.
We are not solitary creatures. We are part of all creation. As such we all belong. The love of God includes all. I pray that as we continue to explore ‘Who is Welcome’ throughout June, that we can find the strength and courage to increasingly be a church of deep inclusion and belonging.
Just a few notes about things happening right now:
Negotiations continue with Nexus, KW Redeemer and Kids and Company Daycare. Negotiations are always difficult. Each group has needs in order to flourish. As a church we have needs as well in terms of space in order to flourish. Finding a way forward to work together using this beautiful building, this incredible gift of God, is not always easy. Pray for those involved. Pray for wisdom, strength, courage, and conviction. Pray that these conversations result in strong partnerships that enable us to move forward.
A note from the Presbytery of Waterloo Wellington – it is made up of 28 churches including us here at St. Andrew’s. The presbytery recently hired a General Presbyter who is helping to create a vision for the presbytery moving forward. As you may know churches are closing across the country. Some congregations are still thriving. In order to determine which congregations have the ability to move effectively into the future, a questionnaire has been prepared and congregational members are asked to fill out the questionnaire. Please do so as soon as possible. It already has St. Andrew’s Kitchener on it so don’t worry about saying what church you are from. It can be found here https://forms.gle/geejwpp3DYiVNfmE6
This coming Sunday is ‘Going Through the Gates Sunday’. We will also receive three young people into the church membership through profession of faith – and we will welcome lots of new people into the life of the church more informally. The sermon title will be “Little Runts and other outcasts used by God”. It will be a celebration of seeing and hearing God in unlikely places.
Take good care everyone. God bless you all.
Rev. Marty Molengraaf (he, him)
Minister, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
P.S. If you receive a text or email from me saying I am in need of assistance, please ignore it and do not click any links. My phone has been hacked I believe. What you may have received is spam.