The last time I saw my friend Tom Faulkner
we had tea near his home in Winnipeg. I asked him about his longtime practice
of Sunday church attendance. “Catherine,” he said, “Sunday worship is the only
time many of us have to sit quietly.” We talked about listening to familiar
scripture stories, the relationships created in preaching a sermon, music that
soothes and excites, and being called to prayer.
Your church provides a time for the regular
practice of worship. It takes care and welcoming and study and practice. It
takes people, love, and spirit. It takes a deep affection for the city you see
pictured on our bulletin. It takes our energy and the Love of God. And it takes
the prayers of neighbours who attend as well as those who are not able to, but
hold the worshipping community in prayer.
After the Good Samaritan story this week we
gathered for the Annual Congregational Meeting. We discussed study groups and
music, family faith formation and budget investments, building security and
repairs, and the pleasure of being an open and invitational spiritual
home.
Jesus tells the Good Samaritan story after
someone asks him “Who is my neighbour?” The answer to that question is a
Samaritan who went ‘way above and beyond what a person might do to help a
stranger who was an enemy too. We are called to be neighbours and it is a
sacred calling.
Thank you for your spiritual practice of
holding our Sunday morning worshipping community in prayer. You strengthen us
to be the neighbours this city needs. May we all have a moment to sit quietly
and be open to God’s presence.
Blessings of quiet, intention, and love,
The Rev. Dr. Catherine Faith MacLean