Sunday Lunch - October 19

I am so thankful for the Rev. Bill MacLellan and his words this morning.  I'm thankful that Bill knows us from his months leading the congregation, and that he cares for us.  This morning, he gave us the "Charge!" as we prepare for another step in the journey of our congregation. 

We talked first about Transitions and how difficult and uncomfortable they can be.  He reminded us of Moses in the desert (Exodus 33:12-23) and how we all wonder, "But God, what is your plan here??"  And then Bill reminded us of who we are as a congregation, and of our core values of justice and equality.   He said that our wholehearted approval of Rev. Karen Dimock coming as the new minister showed that we are a congregation that does not disregard people based on their gender.  (And I must confess, I was a bit uncomfortable at the thought of our hiring a woman minister being something we should be congratulating ourselves on - shouldn't we be celebrating this next stage of the journey without regard for the gender of the person shepherding us into it?  Nevertheless, I expect it will not be long as we get to know Karen as a person, for the gifts she has and is willing to share with us, rather than just as a Symbol of St. Andrew's Core Values.) 

And then just like Paul to the Thessalonians, Bill exhorted us to become more of what we are as a congregation: warm, open, loving and accepting.  Which reminded me of what I need to be when I leave the comfort of the Sanctuary - accepting of those different from me and loving to those around me.

Maureen.

Sunday Lunch - Thanksgiving Sunday

At today's service, on Thanksgiving weekend, I was reminded, unsurprisingly, of how much we have to be thankful for.  It was a fine morning, with just the right autumnal crispness in the air, and the maple trees verdant in their lavish red colours. The handbell choir performance was lovely today. And, I was of course very proud of our psalm reader, our little daughter, and, in listening to her reminded that this is our fifth thanksgiving as a family at St. Andrew's. 

Looking around the pews, and at the pulpit, I see that much has changed since we arrived: new faces have arrived and longtime attendees and members are missed. Yet, much remains the same. I am grateful for the stability we enjoy in this great country.  Two things in particular were nourishing food for thought for me today.  First, I liked the notion Huda suggested in her children's story that we should take seriously the "giving" part of Thanksgiving.  My husband and I folded this into our grace at dinner, when we went around the table and said the usual statement of what we are thankful for but this year added to it a commitment of what we were each prepared to give.  Second, I particularly appreciated the reference in the Minister's prayer to the notion that even where war is a necessary evil it is still an evil. 

Lots to think about; lots of work to be done and much to be thankful for.

Rebecca B.

Sunday Lunch - Table Talk

Today was World Communion day which means that Christians all over the world celebrate the Lord's Supper. The Reverend Milton Fraser delivered an exceptionally touching Sermon today that resonated a lot to my own household, much like most individuals elsewhere.

The title of the Sermon today was conveniently, "Table Talk". As he brilliantly put it, a table, whether in the dining room or as in most households, mine included, in the kitchen, is a place where a lot more than nourishment occurs. A table is a place where celebrations, for example birthday parties, take place, you can have family related events planned, home work completed, advice given to children, if someone dies, the family will normally gather around that same table and remember that person.

In short, a table plays a much bigger role than what we can normally think of. When Jesus taught us to break Bread and drink from the Cup in his remembrance, it was at the table that he sat around with His Disciples. In Luke 14: 1 - 14, Jesus teaches us that we should invite the disadvantaged to sit with us at the table for a meal. What he means here is that we should not only invite those whom we expect to invite us back. At Jesus' table, we are all equal. No one person is more important than the other.

It was wonderful as usual, to have the young children join us for the Lord's Supper.

Paul M.

Sunday Lunch - Sept 28

What a joyful Sunday in the life of St. Andrew's! We are one step closer to calling a minister - not quite there yet, but one step closer. Thanks be to God.

In her sermon, the minister this morning described the ways in which our communities have become fractured, and how Jesus identifies with those who have, for the most part, been cast out by society. He then shows the disciples a different, holy community - one based on welcome, on meeting the needs of others.

She urged us to think about the transformative effect that responding to someone in need can have on a community. I think this is a good message for us as we move forward in this new chapter of our life as a congregation. It is something so central to our faith. We are more than just a group of people that gathers on Sunday mornings. How are we hearing the word of Jesus by reaching out to those in need? What could we be doing to be more inclusive?

The Search Committee spent a lot of time over the past year thinking about St. Andrew's and our ministry. I think the minister we have found will help us as we continue this ministry, including striving to meet the needs of those outside of our congregation and to be inclusive.

I am so very thankful for where we are today, and I am excited to see where God is leading us.

Laura S.

Sunday Lunch - Expansive, extravagent, surprising grace

This morning we were talking about Grace.  During the time with children, Huda got out her library card and reminded the kids how, at no cost to them, they could borrow books and CDs and magazines.  Huda reminded them that no matter your age, your gender, your skin colour, no matter how long you've had your library card, the library was available for everyone.  And then she told the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 20 of the landowner that hired workers for his vineyard and paid the ones that started in the morning the same wage as the ones that only worked a few hours.   Sometimes grace is not fair, she said, but it's loving.

When the Rev. Fred Demaray came to the pulpit, he delved into the Exodus story of the Israelites in the wilderness, and how when they were hungry (and complainy!) God provided quail and mana for them to eat.  Wonderfully, even as Rev. Demaray was giving a possible scientific explanation of what created the mana (insect secretions, ew!) and how the quail may have been so easy to catch because of their migrations, it did not decrease how miraculous these miracles were.  He spoke about how in the wilderness of change, the Israelites, and we today, prefer the familiar.  How "these trying times" soon become "the good ol' days". 

Sometimes what God provides is not what we're looking for and our vision can be clouded by fear and a sense of loss.  But, if we only stop to see it, God's grace is there and God is providing for our needs.  If all we see is pigeon poop and insect droppings, we're missing out on the quails and mana being given to us.  If all we see is that the afternoon hiree is getting paid the same as the early-morning worker, we miss out on the joy of having our daily needs met.

When thinking of Grace, we must stop thinking in terms of what is deserved.  (Which is a blessing to me, since I'm clearly one of the latecomers to the vineyard, if I were to place myself in the Matthew parable. )  Rev. Demaray finished his sermon saying,

If we're fearful of the future to which God is calling us, if we grumble at grace, we may miss it completely.  But if we let it fill us and remake us we too will become the gracious followers of Christ.

Maureen R.

Sunday Lunch - September 14

The service was lovely today.  The main highlight was the beginning of the new church school season.  I have been teaching church school since 2009 and it is something I still very much enjoy.  It was great to see all the enthusiastic children and to find out that we have some new teachers this year.  The corn & soup lunch after the service was excellent.  Like everyone, I am looking forward to the preach for the call service in two weeks.  The search committee has done a great job of creating plenty of suspense by keeping the identity of the candidate secret until the very last moment!  I hope everyone has a nice week.  See you next Sunday.
 
Stacey