RANDOM MUSINGS FROM THE REV…
One last issue of The Journey Series, by Lizzie Milani
An Endless Pilgrimage:
Salvation is more than a transaction.
Healing is more than a moment of power.
Faith is more than a singular moment of exchange.
It’s all a way of life.
A journey to embark on and travel down.
Continue to live into your salvation.
Abraham Heschel wrote:
“Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.”
Forgiving others and asking for forgiveness.
Loving our enemy.
Doing good to those who persecute us.
Living humbly and vulnerably.
Praying and meditating.
Seeking justice.
Living with uncertainty.
Walking by faith.
Overcoming betrayal.
Experiencing joy.
Being hope-filled.
All these and more are not things that happen in an instant.
They come about while on pilgrimage.
Journey.
As we walk through life…
If you live for results, the journey will always be arduous and seemingly too long, you grow impatient and urgent, always living in the “not yet,” and never seeing the beauty in the here and now.
But when you live for and IN the journey, it becomes a miraculous place full of grace, hope, and joy.
You walk through seasons of hardship knowing that you will journey all the way through it.
Productivity becomes less about jobs being done and more about growth and maturity, community, and grace.
You’ll have the ability and the capacity to “let the land lie fallow” (yesterday’s devotion) and recalibrate because your value doesn’t depend on your economic or consumeristic output.
So, give yourself a break.
Relax. Breathe. It’s OK.
Things rarely happen in an instant.
And most of the time, what is enduring and strong and healthy comes about OVER time.
So let the seed of salvation, healing, faith, restoration, whatever it is, sink deep into your heart, and give it time to grow.
A lifetime…
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG.
WHAT’S ON AT GRACE UNITED!…
WHAT: Lenten Study Series: Christian Fundamentals (Session 2)
WHEN: TOMORROW, March 22 at 6:30 pm
WHERE: Grace United
Continuing the lively and dynamic conversation begun last week!
WHAT: Grace United Council Meeting
WHEN: TONIGHT at 7:00 pm
WHERE: Grace United
WHAT: Good Friday Worship
WHEN: Friday, March 30 at 7:00 pm
WHERE: Grace United
A service of Nails and Shadows to mark this most sombre of days.
WHAT: Exploring Our Faith
WHEN: Friday April 6 at 10:30 am
WHERE: 518 Morris St.
OUT OF THE COLD …
Our next opportunity to participate in this vital ministry is THIS FRIDAY, March 23.
Please be in touch with Joanne Blackwell to offer your gift of labour 😊
NEWSBITE FROM OUR NATIONAL CHURCH …
Earth Hour—Saturday, March 24, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.—marks its 12th edition this March.
Earth Hour is a movement that shines a light on climate action. This movement is supported by the World Wildlife Fund. As we passed the 10th anniversary, there were more darkened landmarks, but many of the problems from 2007 are still with us, despite the 2016 Paris Agreement.
So why bother marking Earth Hour 2018?
Yes, it is a symbolic act and as such it is limited.
But it reminds us that in working together we create hope. As God’s co-creators we are called not only to create hope, but to remind ourselves that in seeking hope we are making a difference.
We act from a place of love for our planet and all our relations.
In the face of overwhelming evidence, we acknowledge our collective negative impact on this planet and recommit to telling stories of love and hope through the living of our everyday lives. Make Earth Hour 2018 a time for celebrating our small steps.
How to mark Earth Hour on March 24, 8:30 p.m.:
- Consider hosting a Saturday evening service or gathering in candlelight. Look at last year’s ecumenical Earth Hour vigil or choose elements from past Environment or Climate Change services. Highlight the contemplative nature of evening and candlelight.
- Get together at home or church to share stories and photos of your favourite natural places. It is out of love for these places that we will work to preserve them. You can find some images and stories on the Earth Hour website.
- Find an environmental film to show from 7:30 to 8:30 and follow with a discussion group in candlelight.
- Read some stories like this recent blog from Citizens for Public Justice staff Karri Munn-Venn about her time at the 2017 UN Climate Conference.
- Share a daily practice of love for God’s creation that you might want to foster or strengthen in the months and days to come.
If you mark Earth Hour in some way, tell us about it by e-mailing justice@united-church.ca and adding #UCCan to your social media postings.
—Beth Baskin is program coordinator for Social Analysis and Congregational Engagement with The United Church of Canada
A HOLY LENT AT HOME:
As the Lenten season draws to a close, here are week SIX’s challenges!.
Day 32: Donate supplies to your local elementary school.
Day 33: Confess something that’s been weighing on your heart to a trusted friend.
Day 34: No sugar day – where else is there sweetness in your life?
Day 35: Read about another religious tradition and try to appreciate the beauty in it.
(Sunday)
Day 36: Pray for peace.
Day 37: Pray for your enemies.
Grace United Church Sudbury 