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!
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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