Graduation with a Difference

The video link for Sunday's service is: 

Congratulations to Benjamin on his graduation from Stelly's Secondary School.

We've celebrated other graduations at SPPC, usually with a cake after service on Sunday morning. 
Not this time. COVID 19 has truly changed every aspect of our lives. 
Benjamin had to settle for a card from session, delivered in a unique way. 😀

Thankfully, parents, teachers and students have been inspired to make this year's grad ceremonies memorable--even if unusual. 

Ben got to ride in an antique Bentley as part of a graduation drive-by on Friday afternoon. There was a limited gathering of friends to watch a video of classmates receiving their certificates, at a physical distance, and a fancy dinner--held in a tennis court. 

Maybe all those students whose graduation exercises included a walk across the stage at UVic, a formal dinner and an after-grad party are envious of the unique ways the class of 2020 has found to celebrate.

Here he is, all grown up and ready for university. Hard to believe he was once a cute, blond chorister in the Living Flame Choir. If you search back far enough on this blog you can find pictures, but I won't embarrass him by posting them here.

The congregation of SPPC wishes you good luck, Benjamin and sends you into the next phase of life with all our love and prayers and the certainty that God has plans for you. 

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

We hoped to be worshipping in our building last Sunday, but plans changed at the last minute, so yesterday was our first in-person service since March 15. No coffee hour, no handshakes, no hugs, no choir, no gathering in the narthex, but we were able to sit in the pews and hear Rev. Irwin live. There was no hymn-singing, but there was music from Larry and Tore and Janet.

two views of a "distamced" congregation
 

Even with all the changes, it felt good to be there.

Follow-up on the gowns for the Dominican Republic. 

Not only have the gowns arrived, they are being put to good use!

Post Thanksgiving

    The fine china is back in the cupboard, the linens laundered and today we finished the last of the turkey leftovers.  But my season of thanksgiving is not ended.  Today I give thanks for the good things I've found at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.

    First on the list is the Living Flame Choir.  They sang on Sunday, in case you missed it, and they were terrific.  I'm grateful to this group of children/youth for their willingness to tackle a challenge, their creative solutions to problems and their enduring friendship.  I've been directing a junior choir at SPPC for nearly fifteen years.  I've had the privilege of watching my most junior singers learn and grow, develop their skills and share their talents, and move from novice to leader.  They've included me in their circle of adult friends, extending an invitation to school events and other extra-curricular activities.  I always offer them cookies when extra practices take place at my house.  Last week I was the visitor and a choir member offered me a cookie.  When I was first asked to take on the role of developing and leading a junior choir I agreed, with conditions.  I had no idea what joy this ministry would bring to me and to the congregation.  I've dropped all the conditions of my participation.  I whole-heartedly give thanks for the Living Flame Choir.

     Another area of thanksgiving is Bible Study.  We're doing John Stott's study of The Sermon on the Mount, you remember, all those "blessed are. . ." verses that seem totally contradictory.  "Blessed are the poor in spirit.. . .  Blessed are they that mourn . . .Blessed are they who hunger and thirst . . ."

Scholars consider this chapter of Matthew one of the most important in Scripture, but it can sure be confusing.  But . . . every Wednesday morning we meet, break into small groups and talk about the passage, following the questions in Stott's study guide.  Then we meet together to share our thoughts while Irwin leads us through the finer points of the verses.  It is a wonderful time of fellowship and teaching.  No question is considered too trivial, no comment is dismissed as "wrong."  In fact, Irwin is an expert at making us all seem brilliant.  Death has claimed some stalwarts from the Bible study group and we miss them dearly, but newcomers have come to fill the empty seats and are most welcome.  Feel free to join the study on Wednesdays at 9:30 am.  You don't have to attend every session.  You can join any time.  Coffee and goodies are freely shared, as is the laughter and the stories.

    The Shepherd's Way, our church newsletter is another item on my gratitude list.  There was a new issue in time for Thanksgiving.  You've got to read Ruth's item about "huggitis" as she caught it at SPPC and as she spreads it among her neighbours and friends.  At an age when she could rightly say, "I've done my turn," Blanche keeps on keeping on, putting out the newsletter and filling our mailboxes with stories and quotes and chuckles and information.  Bill draws the pictures, making each issue a work of art.  I was thinking the Sunday School children could colour those drawings as part of a lesson sometime.

   This list is far from complete, but three is supposed to be the ideal number of points in an essay. I've found many more blessings  in this congregation, a.  I invite you to add your own items, either in the comments section below or in a blog post.  I'm always happy to feature other members of the congregation on this page.  In fact, those who write for the blog are very high on my gratitude list.

LOVE IN ACTION

  The question of faith vs works came up in conversation this week.  It's a knotty question, oft debated among theologians and laity alike.   Those on the works side often quote from James 20. while those who argue for justification by faith alone like Galations 2.  At SPPC this week we saw faith AND good works in the same events.

     On Tuesday the Pastoral Care committee hosted a talk by Linda Cliff on "Life before Death."

It sounds a bit grim but the emphasis was on the "life" part of the equation.  There was a video showing people at various stages of their life journey.  One interview was with a fairly young woman who had suffered so much pain, her life held no hope, no joy and no ease.  Through the marvels of palliative care, she was given a drug that took away her pain. Now she felt truly alive, her face filled with joy, her mind teaming with plans for the future.  She talked about the blessing of doing the dishes, taking a walk or working in the garden.  She could live her life.

  Other interviews showed people in the latter stages of terminal illness.  With good palliative care, they were able to remain relatively pain-free and it made all the difference.  They could talk with loved ones, build up special memories, treasure the moments they still had.  A sad contrast to those in some countries which lack palliative care, where nurses can only offer a drink of water and a hand to hold.  We are very lucky here in Victoria to have access to the very best in hospice care.

    Linda is a dedicated member of the Hospice community and a champion for palliative care.  That passion, combined with her faith, showed through in her compassion for those who suffer and in the work she and others do to relieve suffering.

   On Sunday, the Living Flame Choir put their faith into action by presenting a concert at the Shoal Centre.  Our youth is very busy and rehearsal time is hard to come by so we squeezed in some extra practice after church.  Then had a social time and shared some pizza.

Then we packed up our music and our noise-makers and headed off to the Shoal Centre.
   We presented a half-hour concert that included "Dem Bones", hence the noise-makers, as well as "When I Turn My Heart to Heaven."  The latter was necessary since it refers to God's promise in the rainbow.  Since we have a lovely backdrop of a rainbow, we're happy to have the opportunity to put it on display.

Our audience was made up of Shoal Centre residents, a few of our own congregation and some visitors.  It was wonderful to see the joy on the faces in the audience as the music reminded them of happy times in their own lives.  Faith -- music -- sharing -- love in action.

    I can't leave this week's blog without mentioning that our Bible Study sessions begin this week.  We will be using a study based on a book by Ann Voskamp called One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  I just finished reading the book and found it spoke to my soul. The author shares her own journey of faith and thankfulness in our ordinary and marvellous daily work.   I can't wait to see what we do with it in Bible Study.  We meet Wednesday at 9:30 am and at 7:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome at either or both of these session.

    

   So there you have it, a sample of our week filled with works, based in faith and given with joy.  Pretty good week, I'd say.

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?

The Living Flame Choir has an anthem called "The Good Samaritan" that repeats the question, "who is my neighbour and just how far should my love go?"
Well, one of our neighbours at SPPC is the Field of Dreams just across the traffic circle.  So, when they were looking for sponsors, for the over 400 children involved in ball programs there, they came to our church.   Session discussed the request and decided that this was a place we could practice being a good neighbour. SPPC is now a gold sponsor of the Field of Dreams.  Look for us in their programs and on their scoreboard.  You might also find the odd ballplayer enjoying a hot dog in the SPPC parking lot.

   At the other end of the spectrum, is the

Extended Care wing of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.  We provide ministry there too, by taking a worship service on the afternoon of the fourth Sunday of every odd month.  I was there in March and witnessed first hand the practical ways members of our congregation show forth the love of Christ and practice the art of being a Good Neighbour.
    As an institution SPPC is present to our neighbours, but what about you?  As individuals we also need to share the gospel, offer a helping hand, cheer on a new Christian and hold a cup of water for the thirsty.  
      "Who is our neighbour and just how far should our love go?"