Musings... On Being the Church

I shared a version of this prayer on Thursday evening as the Collaborative Commission ended its meeting. On Saturday, as I sat on the deck and watched the water of the Northumberland Strait change colour with the changing light, I took some time to refine it some more. I offer it here as an ongoing prayer for the Church:

For today and tomorrow and the days after…

we are the church

whether we are inside a building,

or outside immersed in creation

caring for creatures.

we are the church

when we gather to pray:

help, thanks and wow

and when we disperse

to be the answer to prayers.

we are the church

when we sing together

and when we tell stories

to with little children

and wise elders.

we are the church

when we listen to scripture

and when we share

this good news with strangers.

we are the church,

not because of

a building,

or songs or stories

or meetings, or polity,

but as a result of a Life,

a Life lived in Love

for the world.

May that Life be our life. Always.

Lloyd

The Week Ahead

I will be in Sackville on Monday morning. Julia and I will hold our weekly staff meeting at 9AM. At 10AM, I have a meeting with the Sackville United Church Anniversary Planning Committee. At noon, I will conduct the first of three pastoral visits in Moncton, and before I leave, I will set up the World Gratitude display in the Atrium at Central United Church. Monday evening concludes at the blood donor clinic in Amherst.

Tuesday will begin with the lectionary study group at 10:30 AM as we look at the texts for Sunday, September 21. As Julia is preaching on Sunday, she will lead the gathering. The balance of the day will be spent preparing for and leading a grief and loss group at Sackville United Church.

I will begin Wednesday morning with a couple of online meetings and finalizing the liturgy for Sunday. At 6:30 PM, I will gather with the Executive of Sackville United Church for their first meeting of the fall for what promises to be a very full agenda!

Thursday will be devoted to hospital and pastoral visits in Sackville, and on Friday, I will be back in Moncton for a pastoral visit over lunch, followed by visits to the Moncton area hospitals.

Saturday will be a day off, and on Sunday, September 21, I look forward to being with the community of Central United Church as we welcome Ella Erin-Mae, child of Caroline Toogood and Nicholas Jolly, into the family of faith through baptism! Julia will be at Sackville United, and Audrey Lounder will be facilitating a congregational conversation with Visions United Church.