The Call to Notice

When our congregation moved out of our building one thing we vowed to do. Since we were no longer meeting the Holy Spirit inside our church building, we would have to pay attention, to notice those times and places the Holy Spirit was at work outside. We pledged to do that. Of course we’d always known the Holy Spirit didn’t belong to us inside those sacred walls, but we acknowledged that sometimes we might have acted that way. So we told each other we’d have to watch and listen carefully. We felt a call to Notice!

Since then, oh my, where to start!

I talked with the man who came to trim the trees in the park near me. Long story short…he was an accountant who felt he needed a new job. Something that got him outside, something that contributed to caring for the earth. He went back to school and now he felt like he was helping restore the balance the planet needs to care for itself. He didn’t use the words “sacredness of creation” but it was clearly one of his enduring principles too.

Barb is the woman who runs the community team of volunteers working out of the portable in the neighbourhood school. The team feeds the families nearby who need some extra help. They plant a garden and accept extras from round about and deliver produce and food to those who can’t get out. They’re busy at Christmas matching up those of us who’ve got extra with those who need gifts to give to grandchildren; they run a “store” where kids without money can shop for presents to give siblings, parents, whoever. And more. They do so much more. Barb is in a wheelchair and can’t get around much but she has ideas and energy to spare, and to share with neighbours who can and will do the work.

I never drop in without thinking about “the blessings of community”

Now those are just two little stories among the dozens of stories our group has shared since we’ve been actively responding to the Call to Notice!

You’ll find it won’t take long of noticing that you’ll hear the next call – the call to pitch in!

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What You Can Do

What you can do when you can’t do anything

Our town, like so many others these days, is in the midst of some very tough times. This has been an especially hard week. We’ve been doing what we can to support the food banks and the Adopt-a-Family. We’ve donated socks and winter coats and we’ve got plans for Janu-wear-y (more later) but it’s not enough.

Some days it feels as if it’s never enough as we bear the burdens of the unhoused and drug poisonings and expulsions. Those feel like problems that are just too big for our small group.

But here’s the thing. The thing we can do when there’s nothing else we can do. We talk to a neighbour, or we’re at the hairdresser, or we’re just passing the time of day in the grocery store and someone refers to “those awful people.” Maybe they speak of some way they deserve punishment or that they’re feeling afraid to go downtown because they’re there.

Well, here’s your call to action. You must remind your neighbour that those people are also our neighbours who’ve fallen on hard times and need our help, not our scorn. No one chooses to live on the street and they would be elsewhere if they could. They’re trying to support each other as best they can. And even if they are frightening they are someone’s child, or sister, or cousin you’ve lost track of.

If you can give to the folks at Hope House or Friend of Downtown Neighbours you can be grateful that someone is helping. If you get a chance to change the conversation so the political leaders lean a different way, please do so.

When there is nothing else you can do, that is what you can do. You can change the conversation to one that is more compassionate. And if yours is the only kind word spoken make sure it doesn’t go unsaid.

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Healing River of the Spirit

Here’s the hymn we didn’t sing on Sunday (technical difficulties)

This prayer for all those touched by war, and for us who search for our right response was written by hymn writer, Ruth Duck. She is an ordained minister, a theologian and retired professor of worship. She has written more than 150 hymns, many included in our hymnal.

“Healing River of the Spirit” # 232 CCS

Healing river of the Spirit, bathe the wounds that living brings.
Plunge our pain, our sin, our sadness, deep beneath your sacred springs.
Weary from the restless searching that has lured us from your side,
We discover in your presence peace the world cannot provide.

Wellspring of the healing spirit, stream that flows to bring release,
As we gain our selves, our senses, may our lives reflect your peace.
Grateful for the flood that heals us, may your church reflect your grace;
As we meet both friend and stranger, may we see our Saviour’s face.

Living stream that heals the nations, make us channels of your power.
As the world is torn by conflict, wars are raging at this hour.
Saving Spirit move among us, guide our winding human course,
Til we find our way together flowing homeward to our Source.

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In Our Circle

Our circle thinks about many things. We talk about many things. We often need to set an alarm to make sure we stop talking and go home.

As a congregation we participated in different ways in the most recent CEM conference: some attended in person, more watched on YouTube or Zoom. On Sunday we gathered for a potluck brunch at Sharon and Daniel’s Elora home. The food was wonderful and plentiful. The conversation around the table ranged far and wide as we discussed the conference and our own future as a forming and evolving group. We worshipped together watching Beyond the Walls. (we’re grateful for this ministry and we especially appreciate the BTW choir,)

The world has shifted since that conversation but one thing has Not changed. There are many. many vulnerable people in our neighbourhoods. We never gather without talking about them and about how we can help them.

Our mission projects are so important to us. Our support for the food insecure, for refugee families, for needy children and their fearful or struggling parents will continue. Just now we’re focusing on Adopt a Family as a way to help families celebrate Christmas. But this is just one small thing in the grand scheme of caring for the most vulnerable among us. Our conversation will continue.

We urge all who have been blessed to bless others. It’s the least we can do.