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Writer's pictureLloyd Bruce

Musings: On Covenants & Schedule Changes

Thank you to all who joined in the Covenanting Service on Sunday afternoon at Central United Church on such a lovely fall afternoon! Thank you to Jennie and Justin and Martha and all those who shared in musical leadership. Thank you as well to Susa Lemaistre for her reflection and to all who contributed to the feast that followed the service. It was so very good to be together! You can view some pictures of the event here and a recording of the service can be found here.


In other news, on Tuesday October 15th members of the Commission met for their regular weekly meeting and considered a recommendation from Julia and I to change the Sunday schedule… a recommendation that we did not make lightly as we are all, already juggling so much change in our individual and communal lives… but the Commission agreed with us.


Beginning the first of November, the Collaborative will move to a straight three-week rotation of members of the Ministry Team among the three congregations, meaning, barring one of the Ministry Team being away, that you will have one of us with you in-person, two Sunday mornings in a row out of three. On the third Sunday your congregation will have opportunity, in community from your gathering space, to view the liturgy and reflection as offered from the other locations.


This change is rooted in the deep value we all place on community and connection. Julia and I, and members of the Commission, have determined that the present schedule resulted in too long of a gap between the occasions when members of the Ministry Team are with each congregation. Yes, there will continue to be one week in three when a member of the Ministry Team will not be with you. And yes, of course, you could choose to stay home and view the service from there on those Sundays… but we urge you to remember that community, the formation of a congregation is possible only with your presence and the connection you offer to others – ‘Where two or three are gathered… there I AM…’


Members of the Commission and Ministry Team are working tirelessly to ensure the success of the Collaborative Ministry Pilot Project and are always open to your feedback. At the end of October, the Commission will be releasing a survey to formally gather feedback in preparation for a multi-point Zoom Town Hall Gathering. This event is scheduled for Sunday December 1st following the Sunday/Spirit Gathering. Watch for more information about these two items in the weeks to come.


Finally, with Advent is just around the corner (a season of preparation that marks the beginning of a new liturgical year), plans are in the works for the production and distribution of an Advent/Christmas brochure that will highlight local Advent/Christmas events and activities in our three congregations. If you have an Advent/Christmas activity planned, or even an idea for an event, please follow this link and share the details so that it may be included in the brochure as space allows. Again, your participation is essential for the creation of community where God can do God’s work!


Faithfully,

Lloyd


Looking Ahead

This morning, I am in Moncton for our regular staff meeting followed by visits at the Kenneth E. Spencer Memorial Home. The afternoon will include one pastoral visit, and visits at the hospital.


I will be working from home on Tuesday morning, preparing for and participating in the Lectionary Study Group at 10:30AM and then working on the reflection for Sunday. I’ll be in the Office at Sackville United Church in the afternoon and on Tuesday evening I will be offering leadership at the LGBTQ+ Group at Dorchester Penitentiary.


Wednesday morning will again have me in the Office at Sackville United Church. At 8AM I will be engaging in some work for the Regional Council and at 10AM I look forward to welcoming, with others, folk from Open Sky and others, for Coffee and Conversation! Come and check it out – the treats from Open Sky are amazing! Last week was Carrot Cake with the lightest cream cheese frosting I have ever tasted!! On Wednesday afternoon I’ll do a mobile pastoral visit as I accompany a member of one of the congregations to a medical appointment and in the evening, I will gather with the QS4A group at 6:30PM.


I plan to finalize the reflection on Thursday morning before heading off to Moncton for three pastoral visits in the afternoon – and, as of now, there is nothing planned for the evening.


Friday and Saturday will (I hope) be days off and on Sunday I am looking forward to being in Sackville where I will offer a reflection grounded in the story of the healing of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar who Jesus met along the way… (Mark 10:46-52). Julia will preside at the liturgy from Visions (corrected from an earlier post).



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