How Are We Doing?

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

Last Sunday we had a soup and sandwich lunch after service. The event was put on by the CML

The Centre for Missional Leadership (CML) at St. Andrew’s Hall, UBC, was established to enable Christian communities to flourish in God’s redemptive mission. In our congregation, Norma, Joan, Pam, Linda, Darlene and Irwin, are taking a one year certificate course from CML. The lunch on Sunday was intended to solicit feedback from the congregation regarding the gifts already present in our place, our people and our congregation.

   

With food on offer, it's not surprising that the event was well-attended and folks were in a good mood. As you can see from the photos, there were many, many gifts listed.

 "Friendly" showed up so often, it could have had a section all of its own. If you heard the buzz of conversation, punctuated by laughter, while we enjoyed delicious soup and plentiful sandwiches, you would know you were among friends.

There were too many gifts mentioned to list them individually, but here is a summary.

• Place
  

Under Place, our parking lot garnered the most votes. It's big, it's flat, it's well-maintained, and, apparently, the neighbourhood uses it for bicycle practice, parking practice and while waiting for airplanes. We threw a big party there for Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee and, during COVID we used it for an outdoor communion service. 

Other advantages of the place are the well-equipped kitchen, the high-ceilinged sanctuary, the organ, the heat pump, the streaming service, the sound system. . . Actually, the whole building was seen as an excellent asset.

• People
  

Then we got to "people" and "congregation." These two categories tended to overlap, but there were a few outstanding people. Firstly, our minister, Rev. Irwin Cunningham received many kudos for his preaching, and teaching. The folk who run our streaming/sound system were singled out for special thanks, as was our volunteer handyman. Our volunteer cleaners are rarely seen, but their work is invaluable. Special thanks were extended to them, too.

There are many talented people in our congregation, musicians, book-keepers, researchers, bakers, health-care workers, teachers, just to name a few. There is a lot of life-experience and wisdom among our fellowship. What is wonderful, is not that these people are there, but that they are willing to donate their time, knowledge and expertise so freely.

• Congregation
  

Under "Congregation," the many entries barely fit on the background, but, upon reflection, they could all be grouped under "love one another." As a congregation, we strive to follow Christ's teaching. Love is shown in many ways. Some are structured, like  Friendship Coffee, or Fellowship time after the Sunday service, or the Sunshine lunches and the Prayer Chain. Committees of Session like Pastoral Care, Mission and Outreach, as well as elders themselves have a mandate to care, physically and spiritually for the members of the congregation.

But, often as not, that loving care is spontaneous. Got a project you want to try? Put it out there and a batch of volunteers show up to help. Need a work crew for cleaning or decorating? Name the time and helpers arrive.

 Need a ride to church, or the doctor, or the airport? Let it be known and someone will come forward. Food, cards, phone calls and prayers may arrive at your doorstep when you need a boost. Miss church? Someone will notice and check you are okay. Touched by the sermon? You'll find others willing to speak of faith, and life, and gospel. 

The hymn, Blest Be the Tie that Binds, contains this line. "We share our mutual woes,/Our mutual burdens bear;/ And often for each other flows/The sympathizing tear."

I think we could have used that as a theme song at the luncheon.

There is much for SPPC to do in our service to Christ and our witness to the world, but it is good to know we start from a position of love for one another.

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.