The Expanding Table

Link to this week's live-streamed service is here

  

A celebration of life service I attended featured a slide show featuring the many family gatherings that had marked the life of the deceased. Image after image showed family dinners through the years. 

The early photos showed the newly weds celebrating their first Christmas together at a small table. Then there were photos of babies and children added to that group. The table expanded.

Then the children brought home their own partners and another table was added to accommodate them all. Soon grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined the group. Just like the grandmother's heart, her table kept expanding. 

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This week, our congregation has hosted a visitation from presbytery. It's been a very long time since the last visit, so just to refresh your memory, here is a statement from the Presbyterian Church in Canada about the relationship between congregations and presbytery.

• God calls us to be one body in Christ. The emphasis on relationships is evident in the New Testament. Throughout His ministry, Jesus sought to create a community of followers. Paul’s letters frequently addressed the behaviour of members of the early churches, particularly with directives about relating to “one another;   “live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16 • “pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19) • “bear one another’s burdens” (Galations 6:2) • “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32) • “look to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4) • “teach and admonish one another” (Colossians 3:16) • “pray for one another” (James 5:16)

 In the Presbyterian Church in Canada covenantal relationships exist between presbyteries, congregations and ministers. They are rooted in our relationship with God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and in our understanding of who and whose we are. The congregation calls a minister, and the congregation and minister covenant to work together in ministry. The presbytery is responsible to care for the wellbeing of congregations and ministers within its bounds, by providing support and a means for accountability. Presbyteries, congregations and ministers must strive continuously to live out these covenants faithfully. 

We often think of our congregation as our "church family." It's a great metaphor but, just like the family in those pictures I mentioned, we are connected to others. The presbytery visitation is a reminder that SPPC does not exist alone. We are part of the Vancouver Island Presbytery, the Synod of British Columbia, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and, ultimately, the world wide church, founded on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

The word "visitation" conjures the word "inspection."  We might be better to think of it as a visit from a beloved relative or wise mentor. One who has come to see how we are doing, to offer encouragement and advice. One who shares the wisdom of experience and wishes only the best for our congregation. 

Following worship on Sunday morning,  SPPC expanded the table once more as congregants and presbyters sat down together for lunch. We shared our worries and our hopes. We sought guidance. We compared notes. It was a good time for family.