The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.
For those who are new to our community let me first explain
a little bit about C.M.L.
The Centre for Missional Leadership was formed in 2015 under the umbrella of St. Andrews Hall at U.B.C. as a teaching initiative, to equip Pastors and Lay Leaders for the task of nurturing flourishing churches in a “Post Christian, largely secular” world. (more info at the cml.ca/web page.)
This is done in small church groups, by participating in
seminars, coaching, sharing of ideas and practical applications during a nine
month period. Our group members, Rev. Irwin, Norma, Joan, Darlene, Linda &
myself met via Zoom with participants from all parts of Canada, and of many
different denominations and church situations. There was much to learn from
this format.
You may recall that we did a survey earlier this year to
assess our strengths, gifts and assets as a church, as recognised by members of
the congregation. It was an uplifting event that provided us all with a clearer
picture of who we are as church family, and what we, and our building, may offer
in the future, and where there might be opportunities for growth.
Since then we have been considering how we could utilize all
those assets, both within the church and greater community.
As we are encouraged to find meaningful ways to share and
extend those gifts to “the neighbours beyond our walls” in a sincere and
sustainable way.
Of course, one of the challenges for ministry that we kept
bumping into was our very location itself!
Most other church’s programs are located within easy walking
or bus access, and for all we have a great mobility and accessible building
design, and large level parking lot, it’s location limits our possibilities to
minister unless one has a car!
Back to the drawing board! We know that Jesus calls us to love our
neighbours as ourselves, and to share the Good News of His love to all people,
so there has to be a way.
And of course there is. After much prayerful discussion and
brainstorming we came to the conclusion that God has “sent” many “neighbours”
to our church already, in the form of the Groups who utilize and rent our space
on a regular basis. Now to the question
of “how” we demonstrate the love of Christ to them in a way that is acceptable
and meaningful to them, and possible and sustainable to us, given that we are
an aging congregation.
God be praised, in doing what this church does best,
hospitality!
And so the birth of this idea, to thank our rental groups
for supporting us, by providing them with a simple cookie, coffee and a
warm welcome. This is something that God
has enabled us to do.
The first of these was the Parkinson’s Society support group,
they meet every month except July, so Darlene contacted and arranged for us to
host a thanks and welcome for their wrap up meeting in June. It was a surprise to the participants, and
was very warmly received by all.
The second time was for the AGM of the Summergate Community
Association, where we served Tea, Coffee and water along with the cookies. There again it was received warmly, and
offered many opportunities to have conversations with our “neighbours” before
their meeting began.
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| Coffee and Cookies for Summergate meeting |
We intend to continue to show our appreciation in this way
to several other groups who meet here.
However, the mission is not just to the neighbours beyond
our walls, but to our own church family also, and how we all may participate
more fully in our worship time.
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| Give the preacher a different platform? |
To that end it was decided to do a little experiment with a slightly different style of worship from time to time; and to that end, when there are 5 Sundays in a month (about 4 per year) that 5th Sunday may be a little different from what we normally do. Perhaps incorporating your own prayers (so others may pray with you) if you would like to share them, as part of “the Prayers of the People”. Doing some different styles of music and praise, maybe you have a favourite that you would like to share with us too. Just let us know beforehand so these changes might be arranged within the form of service. And do give feedback, we learn and grow when we do new things, but we need to evaluate also.
Come and give it a
try, after all there are many styles and ways to worship, as one finds out when
travelling and visiting different churches.
The next 5th Sunday is August 30th and we are considering doing a B.B.Q. lunch
following service. Instead of our usual fellowship time. Lets celebrate the end of Summer holidays
together!
