Midweek Message – May 31, 2023

The fires across the province are what is preoccupying most people’s minds and hearts this week. Events such as these remind us how we are connected; everybody I’ve spoken with this week, knows someone who has been affected in some way. My heart goes out to a couple of people that I know who have lost their homes. Holding in prayer and gratitude all those who go TOWARDS danger, firefighters etc. to keep others safe.

Last Friday evening, I went to see The Knitting Pilgrim in Chester. From his website: The Knitting Pilgrim, featuring actor and knitter Kirk Dunn, is a multidisciplinary one-man show that combines personal storytelling, image projection, and three huge knitted panels that look like stained glass windows, to explore the connection amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The play recounts Kirk’s fifteen-year artistic and spiritual journey of hand-knitting the ambitious project, and looks at why people struggle to get along today, the meaning of art, the hell of grant-writing and the power of love to overcome major obstacles (and minor mishaps).

It was an astounding show! Three HUGE knitted panels that looked like stained glass windows; I think they must have been about 5 x 8 feet each! After the show, we were encouraged to go up and talk with Kirk and get close to the panels and touch them!

Since I can rarely turn my preacher’s brain off, I wondered how could I bring this into worship. I realized that this Sunday is Trinity Sunday, a day in the liturgical calendar when we usually preach about the connection between Father/Mother/Creator, Son and Holy Spirit. But I thought, why not do something different, why not do what Kirk Dunn did, and reflect on some of the similarities between those three faiths! While I am a Christian through and through, I worked as a housekeeper for an Orthodox Jewish family in the 70s and have an Muslim son-in-law, so I have had a little exposure to other faith traditions! And besides, there is always the interwebs!

Here’s another Listening Circles Teaser – Here are your responses to the question: What do we need to be a healthy, life-giving congregation?

1. Strong and vibrant leadership – This includes leaders who have a shared vision, are open to change, and can guide the congregation in its growth and outreach efforts.
2. Community outreach and engagement – Congregations that are actively involved in their local communities and offer outreach programs that meet the needs of participants tend to be more successful.
3. Acceptance and inclusivity – Congregations that are open to people from all walks of life and can accept differences in beliefs and practices tend to be more welcoming and have a broader appeal.
4. Spiritual growth and development – Providing opportunities for people to grow spiritually, such as midweek worship, spiritual retreats, or other activities, can help create a sense of belonging and purpose within the congregation.
5. Financial stability and support – Having adequate financial resources and encouraging people to support the church financially, while also being accepting of those who cannot contribute financially, is crucial to the sustainability of the congregation.

And in that same vein, here’s an article entitled Eight Priorities of a Healthy Church.