Rooted in Faith

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

Browsing through the latest edition of Presbyterian Connection I noticed a familiarity about the shared photos of church life. There was the Sunday School Pageant, the candlelight service, the white gift packaging, the neighbourhood lunch, birthday cakes . . . It struck me that the church names under the photos could be rearranged, and the story would still make sense. All that baking, knitting, quilting, feeding, nurturing--it's what we as churches do.

Then an article on Elmvale Presbyterian Church caught my eye. The congregation is 165 years old. It existed before the Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed. History fascinates me, so I read the article in full. The writer pointed out that the long history of this congregation, was a history of faith. No doubt they have been involved in "works" but what has sustained them and kept them vibrant for generations is their faith. They be before they do.

Last week we held a memorial service for one of SPPC's long-time members, Anne MacKinnon. The words spoken reminded us of her long service and the "works" she performed, as greeter, elder, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, and as a welcoming presence in our fellowship. Her legacy shows in our library, in the piano in the hall and in the lives of those she touched.

The service contained several hymns, hymns that Anne selected. Here she revealed what lay closest to her heart.  If we consider the words of her choosing, we see again, that "works" flowed from faith. 

"He shall not suffer that thy foot be moved/Safe shalt thou be."
"O Thou who changest not, abide with me."
"Death's mightiest powers have done their worst;/But Jesus hath His foes dispersed;"
"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, /Yet will I fear none ill;/For Thou art with me:"
"Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,/All who live in love are Thine."

Our Sister, Anne, had busy hands and an active mind, but when we examine her choice of hymns, we see she had a heart for faith that triumphed when her hands lay still and her mind slowed.

As our congregation seeks to serve and encourage at home and abroad, we must remember that our works must flow from our faith, or we become just another helping agency. Works are important, no doubt about that, but they are for a season. Faith is eternal. Like Anne and like Elmvale Presbyterian, let us hold that faith as a high beacon to light the ways of our doing.

 

Back to Mitford

 This week's live-streamed service is available on our youtube channel here.

Among my Christmas haul of books, was the latest in the Mitford series by Jan Karon, My Beloved.

For those familiar with the town of Mitford and its denizen's particularly Father Tim, this book feels like a homecoming. Familiar characters are there -- Cynthia, Dooley, Lace, Esther and Ray Cunningham, Harley and Willie -- but, like the author, they are older. Father Tim is fully retired and his joints are creaky. Ray has a health scare and Esther is pretty well housebound. 

The author admits that she "quit" Mitford a couple of times before this book arrived in her imagination. Jan Karon herself is in her late eighties so it's no wonder her characters are looking at more life behind than before them. 

If you haven't read any of the Mitford books before, I'd suggest starting with one or two of the earlier volumes. My Beloved feels like it picks up in the middle of the story and if you haven't met the characters before or have a notion of the town, you might be confused. The action in the book is quick and the point of view jumps from one character to another with each chapter. Perhaps at her age, the author feels she hasn't time to waste on setting or backstory.😀

Our dear Anne M, who passed away last weekend, was a great fan of Jan Karon. She introduced me to the Mitford books. She also initiated our church library, which includes a set of the Mitford novels for anyone to enjoy. In honour of Anne, I've donated My Beloved to our shelves to complete the set. 

I heartily recommend this series. The stories are funny, poignant, and inspirational. Maybe start with At Home in Mitford, and go from there.

Ed. Note: The book has been donated, but is already out on loan. It will be available for sharing in a week or two.