Editorial – Acknowledge support

About two weeks ago, I received an invitation from the Reverend Tracey Lloyd Smith to share a message at the annual “Blue Christmas Memorial Service” at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Prescott. 

I had never preached at such a service in the past. In fact, I had never attended a “Blue Christmas” service. I was somewhat perplexed at my response. I told Rev. Tracey that I would be happy to accept her invitation.

In subsequent e-mails, I found out what she was hoping for in my homily, and would I select a reading that would speak to what I was going to share.

Today (Sunday, December-01-13) was the day of the service. Dave and I went to Prescott not knowing quite what to expect. I didn’t know what the order of service would be (we Anglicans do love our liturgy), whether or not it would be appropriate to wear robes (we Anglicans do like to dress up), or how many people would be in attendance (we Anglicans do seem to be ‘numbers’ conscious). 

This was one of those moments in my life when I did not have any answers to any of my questions – it was one of those “wait and see” moments.

The passage I chose to preach from was John 11:1-44 – the death and resurrection of Lazarus. What struck me was the comment from both Mary and Martha, “If you had been here my brother would not have died.” And this was reiterated by the mourners who surrounded them. 

How did I relate that? Well, I shared the story of the death of Dave’s dad, Frank, in 1993. Frank’s tradition, after Mildred (Dave’s mom) died in 1991, was to spend Christmas Eve with his daughter-in-law in Clinton and then come to us for Christmas dinner the next day. Only in 1993, instead of coming to dinner Frank died. 

All that went through my head was if he had come to dinner he would not have died – rather like the sisters telling Jesus that if he had shown up on time Lazarus wouldn’t have died. 

And, in all honesty, those thoughts rattle through my gray matter every year at this time.

But regardless of the thoughts that I have, I know the truth. God had called Frank, and it didn’t matter how many dinners were planned for that day at my house, Frank was going to have dinner with God that night.

Back to today. Funnily enough, over dinner Dave asked me if I felt that what I shared with the thirty-some people who were in attendance this afternoon was helpful in any way. My response was, yes. 

After the service people came and told me they appreciated hearing my story, and then they told me theirs. When someone can share the stories of their pain and sadness, it is a time of healing. It is a time of knowing that God is present in their lives.

This Advent season, if you feel burdened by sadness or pain over the loss of someone you love, leave it with God. God has more strength than you or I will ever have. 

Share your story with someone, so you can feel the healing power of God touch you in the relating of memories and stories that are so special to you and the loved one you miss.

Blessings,

Sue+

Rev. Sue McCullough

Anglican Parish of Morrisburg, Iroquois & Riverside Heights 

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The mission and your role

In my last reflection on the church ministry, I shared my religious experience on the physical nature of the Church, and our concerns toward it. 

God has entrusted the Church to us, and one of the primal metrics that really matter about the life and ministry of the Church, is the individuals and families the church has been able to help, to become better people.

I’d like to shortly reflect on the mission and ethos of this very aging Church of Christ, and the role each one of my readers can play in it. 

It is evident that the Christian church is going through various upheavals that affect not only its future, but also its present authenticity in the actual society.

The church’s mission is to make of all nations disciples of Jesus the Christ, through sacraments, teaching and preaching the Good News that transforms peoples’ lives into the likeness of Christ, and all this done in the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do you see this mission successful? What was, or is your investment in it? Truth is: the church mission reveals that to be a Christian is conditional. To choose not to be Christian is relative. 

After all, all of us are the children of God: therefore, whatever claims to be of God is ultimately our responsibility not our right! To make a concrete point: the majority of our church members are boomers. The seniors are the wise and the cornerstone, even the pillars and, or the potters of our pride or irritability today.

While churches and communities strive to offer them the care worth their sweat, here is some food for thought as noted by Gary Nicolosi, about few crisis facing our elders: There is the crisis of purpose…Physical breakdowns, loss of parents, the surrender of youthful dreams and forced retirements are making Boomers ask, “What else is there?” 

There is the crisis of disillusionment…The ideals of the 1960s seem to be unrealized as the world goes from crisis to crisis. Boomers are asking, “Is changing the world even possible or has cynicism won the day?” 

There is the crisis of priorities…Consumer culture claims you can have it all, but there are too many choices, too much debt and too little time. “Can anyone really have it all?” 

There is the crisis of relationships…“Should anyone say forever?” For Boomers and their children, the answer seems to be no. 

There is the crisis of loneliness…Boomers value their freedom and autonomy, but they still seek connection, conversation and community. “Where do you find meaningful relationships in a superficial world?”

There is the crisis of security…Economic uncertainty has led to spiritual anxiety. 

There is the crisis of spirituality … Organized religion has given way to a nebulous spirituality. Where do you find something rock solid for your life in a world that is falling apart…is the church a refuge place?” 

The quest for satisfaction is immensely exacerbated by the desire of the resurrection. By resurrection I mean, a revisit of our former truisms, or the good memoirs of the past: I want those glorious moments to happen again. 

The good news is: our souls never age: the spirit of God in us is ever fresh, the heart of love is Christ-centered and ever loving, despite the dusting body which returns to ashes as naturally ordered. 

However, when life becomes the party we did not wish for, while we are still here, the church and community are invited to offer the dance.

To conclude: what is so exciting about serving in these conditions? What is compelling to believe in a church whose future is dependable on freewill donations? 

While the church cannot answer why bad things happen to good people, the church can offer comfort and guidance to God’s children to deal with some heavy dilemmas, in the name of Jesus the Christ, the head of the church. 

All for Jesus, and Jesus for all.  

Rev. Manassé Maniragaba, 

Associate Priest for the

Morrisburg Anglican Parish

 

The dying Jesus is the evidence of God’s anger toward sin; but the living Jesus is the proof of God’s love and forgiveness. ~Lorenz Eifert

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Transitions

People and institutions are always changing. We are always in a state of transition it seems.

We make the transition from fall to winter – although maybe grudgingly. 

Our families change as deaths, births, marriages, divorces and illness occur. 

Our local community changes due to the social and economic pressures of our time. 

Our country changes as our governments strive to protect and provide for all of us.

Transitions are processes. They are not goals. It is not a product that we consume. It is even a bodily process and not only emotional or intellectual or even a spiritual one. 

The very cells in our bodies are changing and making transitions and renewing themselves every day. Yet we remain recognizably ourselves. 

As much as any of us living here is part of a community, faith or otherwise, at the same time we always have to be open to making transitions, and not be afraid of that six letter word- CHANGE.

We all know what happens when we have stability without change. We become stagnant. We curl up in our favourite chair. The chair is called  “this is the way we have always done it”!

Communities of faith – churches – are transitioning too.

We need to be fully aware of the effects of our culture on the church as we are part of that culture outside of the church buildings. 

Perhaps the real scariness of the changes in our lives lies in admitting that God can work in each of us however, whenever, and through whomever or whatever means that God chooses.

Our faith in God is not a one size fits all kind of faith. This has to be worked out by each individual whether you are part of a faith community or not. This is a daily and life long process. Change is about seeing ourselves and the ordinary people in our families and the people who surround us every day and seeing them in a new light. 

It is good to remember that it is not about us, and it is always about God!

Rev. Norine Gullons

Sth. Dundas Evangelical

Lutheran Parish

Morrisburg/Williamsburg

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