News & Views

An interesting article about a church that is trying to be more inclusive.

www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/06/spring_lakes_christ_community.html

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"Exploring the Elements" three months later 

- by the Rev.  R. J. (Bob) Thompson, Wakaw, SK                                   

(Bob is a retired minister and Winn a retired Director of Communications for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan)

Some memories go quickly to the trash bin, others remain clear and useful.  Winn and I attended "explore the elements", billed as a conference on the Elements of Progressive Christianity. As members and supporters of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity we decided to attend shortly after the first promotional material appeared. Attendees were invited to hear progressive movement leaders, share insightful workshops, enjoy opportunities for frank debate and journeys beyond religious dogma. All promises were fulfilled but the biggest benefit was not on the printed program.

Many on the "progressive pilgrimage" find it a lonely journey unless fortunate enough to be accompanied.  Sometimes colleagues view us as malcontents at best and subversives at worst. Initially those in the forefront of the affirming movement felt similarly labeled, many still do.  The elements conference provided a real opportunity to be "not alone".  In Toronto, in October, we met old friends and made new ones.  It is one thing to know there are other pilgrims on the same road; it is another to actually spend a few days together.  A church sign-board near the conference centre put it well, quoting the famous Anonymous, "unanswered questions are less dangerous than unquestioned answers".  Even visits with Cirque d'soleil and the Raptors seemed modestly spiritual that weekend.

 In correspondence I recently described conference participants this way, "...an interfaith and inter-denominational group with almost every part of the country and every faith stance represented; including ordered ministers and lay leaders from a variety of denominations. A number of us were United Church. We rubbed shoulders, discussed with and even worshipped elbow to elbow with avowed atheists, non-theists like ourselves, agnostics and enquirers."

Gretta Vosper prompted re-thinking of faith questions as did Scott Campbell; while Scott Kearns demonstrated ways for words and music to impact liturgy. Not one of the workshops that we attended was disappointing, some just more personally applicable. It was interesting to have Deb Ellis point out that "Progressive Personalities" come in many forms, and for Deborah Murray and Marianne Williams to share with us reflections on how smaller rural congregations experiment and change.  Dana Wilson-Li's discussion of Congregational Hiccups was helpful, even for those of us not currently involved with congregations in progressive transition. The number of volunteers and participants from West Hill United was impressive. My Unitarian friends would have been impressed by how well Felicia Urbanski represented their commonalities and diversities.  I was particularly taken with the Unitarians' answer to Diaspora, i.e. The Church of the Larger Fellowship.  Those of us without a nearby congregation of the progressive persuasion would welcome such a function through our denomination or group like CCPC.  

Everyone at the conference was at a different place on the pilgrimage. Some were there for personal and individual reasons, others leading congregations just moving in progressive directions, still others from fellowships well on the way,  for some it was repetition of a familiar experience, for others a first. Regardless, I think we all recognized that whether old-timers or new an opportunity to mingle with fellow pilgrims and enquirers even if only for a couple of days, "priceless".

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Does the New Year prompt you to reflect and think about a resolution or 2? 

I recall listening to Scott last year at this time (remember, Gretta was sick) and thinking that we so often have the best of intentions as the New Year approaches. Unfortunately, with great regularity we fail to follow through. Our resolutions become "res-illusions".

With 2010, the start of a new decade on our doorstep, will you be making any resolutions - changes in your life, that you would be comfortable sharing?

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A human being is part of the whole, called by us 'universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest -- a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein

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On Sunday May 10 we invited the congregation to participate in our VisionWorks conversation.   

VisionWorks is an extremely important document in our congregation. It outlines those values we chose to live by and use to guide us in the choices we make. It outlines the ideals that we to strive to meet, difficult as that may be sometimes.

Back in February we extended our first invitation, we were looking for individuals to help us reread and rewrite our VisionWorks II document. You see it was written 5 years ago and we pledged then to look at it from time to time to make sure it is current, relevant and meaningful.

A small group of folks - ten of us, met regularly over the past three months.....we read, we talked, we offered our thoughts and suggestions, we agreed and we disagreed, we laughed and at times we were silent. With joy and pride we developed a new tentative draft for VisionWorks. We now offer it - place it before the congregation and invite you into this important conversation. We hope that you will be present and participate. You see, VisionWorks isn't just a document - it's a commitment to the way we want to live our lives.

On May 5th, the new VisionWorks was presented to the board and was fully endorsed and more importantly, embraced. Over the next 5 to 6 weeks we will hear much more about it. It will be the focus of Gretta's meditations. Not only will we hear, but we'll also have opportunities to participate. We have 4 workshops scheduled (see the schedule below) that will allow you to ask questions, to offer your thoughts and to become better acquainted with it. 

Hard copies will be available starting Sunday May 17.  It will then be posted to our website along with an opportunity for you to blog and share what's on your mind.  Following any revisions, the new VisionWorks will then be formally presented at our June congregational meeting for ratification. So stay tuned as we do our best to communicate to you, and more importantly to engage you in the VisionWorks conversation.

Workshop Schedule:

Sunday May 31            9:00 a.m       upper lounge before service

Wednesday June 3     7:00 p.m.     upper lounge

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(An article in the Toronto Star, April 19, 2009)

The House of Commons website has launched a feature that allows Canadians to see how MP's voted.

The feature allows viewers four ways to access MP's voting records through the parliamentary website (www.parl.gc.ca). One of those methonds was launched yesterday; the rest will be up next week.

To view an MP's record, head to the website and click on the "Senators and Members" link to find the particular MP. The MP's site will list whether he or she voted yea, nay or didn't vote on any given bill.

FYI, Bill C-291 aimed to implement the Refugee and Appeal Division which is provided for in the Immigration and Refugee Act will go before the house for a vote on April 22

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BLUE CHRISTMAS

Last Wedneday the church was dark, lit only by the candles burning softly on the  communion table. Scott was at the piano playing genltly. I looked around the church wondering what brought each of those present here tonight.

I've been coming to this special service for the past three years. Each time I wonder how it could have touched me more. Each time I am amazed that it has. This year was no exception. On more than one occasion I have come bearing my own sadness, looking to find solace and comfort in the words, the music and the fellowship....but this year was different. Yes, I carried my burdens but they didn't seem quite so heavy. And as I listened to the notes and the poetry put before me I realized with much greater clarity how profoundly connected I am to the web of all existence. I felt the ache of the marginalized and the pain of the persecuted. I sensed the anxiety of those who struggle with  challenges much greater than mine and the sorrow of those who have faced a loss. I think we all carry sadness with us. And with this sadness comes a need for fellowship and support. And so to does the world. Tonight we felt that sadness and opened our heart to it. Despite the darkness I believe we all saw light.

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For the past several weeks I have tried to work up the courage to offer a prayer of thanks during our service.....without success.

It was a little more than a year ago that my wife Maureen passed away and the emotions are still so very close to the surface.

Since that day in late October of 2007 I have tried to understand, accept, acknowledge, embrace and just generally deal with the pain and the loss . Some days are filled with tears - those are the days when I find it so very hard to get outside of myself. Other days are filled with wonderful and joyful remembrances.....when I am able to view life through a different set of lenses. As the days pass I realize that both views are important. I was once told that grief was like a shadow....it will forever accompany you. Some days it is dark and tall and foreboding, standing directly in your path. Other days it is a partner, walking gently and reverently beside you. And still other days it trails silently, unobtrusively behind you as you as you tackle the challenges that life presents to you.

As I look back on the past year I feel very blessed. I received the support and caring and love of so many special people at West Hill. I was comforted,  consoled, encouraged, challenged and quite regularly embraced (hugs!!). The hugs were often the best part since they touched me deeply with no need for words.

From time to time - if we are fortune enough, we experience a defining moment in our lives. This past year has been just that for me. I have come to a deeper and richer understanding of what church is, or can be about........lifting up those who struggle, sharing their burden and doing so unconditionally.

I thank you with all my strength for holding me in your hearts and helping me to truly appreciate how important church can and should be.

John

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