Sunday, November 23

So one member of the Children's Choir was a little off-key this morning. I don't write this to critique or nitpick. It didn't detract from the beauty of the performance, nor the joy it brought the congregation and the singers. It's just the way it is. Someone was a little off-key.

I spent a few years in the choir. I was (as Tom could certainly attest) far from perfect. Obviously, I never wanted to flub a note or miss an entrance, but it happened, and pretty much every time it did, I was annoyed with myself. Frustrated. Disappointed.

I assume we all do this, to one extent or another. We seek perfection in many things we do, and when we fail to reach this unreasonable standard, we get upset; we beat ourselves up about it. The paradox of it all is that it is human to be disappointed with imperfection, but imperfection is a part of the very nature of being human. We are all flawed. We all make mistakes. We all disappoint.

You're going to walk through this coming week, and you're going to make mistakes. Some may be small, others large, but, regardless, you're going to do it. I'm going to do it, too. This fallen, broken world sees constant human failures, no matter how much we try.

But it is from our humanity that so much beauty comes. We're broken, struggling creatures trying to find our way back to God. Our world is a testament to the persistence, joy and wonder that come out of people making so many mistakes. We're a living tapestry, and every dropped stitch, every frayed corner, every mismatched colour contributes the art of our lives.

No one wants a fake plastic auto-tuned life. Our beauty comes from our passions, and our passions can steer us awry. Even the greatest musicians can miss a note, and even that missed note can infuse a song with even more life. In one of his greatest hits, Curtis Mayfield's trumpet player misses one note in a song's main riff. They didn't stop the recording. They didn't use another take. The squeal is left in, and it makes it oh so much more human (it occurs at the 3:07 mark):
 

So if you're struggling, if you're making mistakes, if you're thinking you just can't sufficiently contribute to the life of your church, your community or your world, take heart. None of us can. None of us can give it 100%, 100% of the time, with 100% perfection.

We each have a part to play. We each have an instrument to grab. Join in, make mistakes and revel in the love of God and Her world. The song is much richer when we all sing along.

We might sing a little off-key, but we'll be in tune.
 

Jonathan M.

Restorative Justice Week

This week, November 16-23 is Restorative Justice Week.  The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC) partners with organizations and communities across Canada, including the Presbyterian Church in Canada, to promote the principles and practices of restorative justice.

Restorative justice is founded on a vision of justice that heals and restores. It is based on an understanding that crime is a violation of people and relationships and that justice is served when those most directly involved in an offence are given opportunities to redress the harm caused. The values of restorative justice include caring and compassion, equality, healing, responsibility, truth and honesty, inclusion, trust, safety, respect, non-judgmentalism, self-awareness, integrity, flexibility, and empathy.

Sunday November 16

This year, November seems to be a month full of anticipation for St. Andrew’s.  And a time to give thanks to each of the ministers who has led us in worship once a month during our time of searching for a new principal minister. 

After Rev. Milton Fraser had been thanked early in our worship service, he used the Parable of the Talents from Matthew as a basis for a review of the past year for us.  And his description of the emotions, faith, and service (much service by so many!) encapsulated perfectly for me the journey we have been on over the last year and half.  With confidence and assurance in St. Andrew’s path with our new minister, Rev. Fraser charged us to continue to fully contribute to our Christian community when we welcome the Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock.

Our closing hymn, “We are God’s People”, reminded us of the source of all confidence and comfort.

Sunday Lunch - The Power of Words

This Sunday, I found myself reflecting on the power of words.

First, I was struck by the words of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, as it was sung by the children's choir. This is a song that I know well – attending Catholic school as a child, I sang this song almost every time my school gathered for worship together. It still has the power to transport me back to the little gymnasium of my elementary school, where we often held our services – I can still see all of us in my mind's eye, arranged by class, sitting on floor and singing the words projected on the concrete wall. Those of us who could not yet read somehow already knew the words by heart. I still know those words by heart, and I was comforted to hear them this Sunday.

The second set of words that spoke to me in a powerful way were the words of Psalm 46:5 – "God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns." After the unsettling and surreal events that occurred in Ottawa this week – just blocks away from the doors of our church – these words gave me a deep reassurance, reminding me of God's presence at all times, and also his grace that gives us the strength and courage to keep loving our neighbour despite tragedy, despite fear.

Finally, and most importantly, on this Reformation Sunday, we were reminded of Martin Luther's radical belief that all people should be able to read the Word of God in a language they understand. His translation of the Bible from Latin into German was the spark of a new Christianity, one that wanted to experience God's Word for itself. Today, we still cherish this Word for its power, placing it at the centre of our faith experience, where it instructs, guides and comforts us.

Jessica C.