July 09, 2023: WADE INTO VISIONWORKS

VisionWorks
For the next two Sundays, we are going to take a dip into the calm waters of VisionWorks though we may be surprised to find that they can get a little choppy.  
To kick us off, Doug Richards, John McKechnie, and Scott Kearns will share how the current revision of VisionWorks was approached. 
Following this introduction, John will reflect on the " grounded in life" section of West Hill's evolving document which articulates West Hill’s core values.
 
This will be a two-part series, so plan to be with us again on July 16th when Doug and Scott will draw us into the "guided by love" and "growing in wisdom" sections of VisionWorks. 

First Reading - Extract from VisionWorks 2015

VisionWorks is our guiding document. It articulates our shared values and reflects what we hold to be of utmost significance in our community life. It calls us to examine ourselves in light of these values as we set priorities and make decisions, both individually and as a community.

As individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we come together, opening ourselves to new ideas that may challenge our previously-held perspectives.

What we share is a reverence for life that moves us to seek truth, live fully, care deeply, pursue justice and make a difference in the world. We respect individual differences insofar as they are not harmful or disrespectful of others.

We draw insight and wisdom from historic religious traditions and evolving ethical and philosophical thought. From these sources, we distil the core values that we believe are foundational to positive relationships with ourselves, others, all life and our planet.

Second Reading - Persephone Distorted – author not known, (initials MHN)

This short poem talks to the reality of daily living and its untidiness.

Let July be July

And let August be August

And let yourself be

Just be

Even in

the uncertainty.

You don’t have to fix everything.

You don’t have to solve everything.

And you can still find peace

And grow