We are celebrating communion this Sunday. If you’re able, bring a candle (flameless or one you can light), some bread (bun, cracker, cookie) and juice (grape, orange, apple, water) to join with us all – each in our corner of the world – to participate in this sacrament that draws us together.
If you’d like to see a short video of the “moment” click on this link: https://youtu.be/am-dgUNv-xk the details are in this printed copy.
This week I decided to do the video for this “moment” in the church; I did this because many of you have told me that you miss being together and worshiping in the building. I don’t know if it will make you feel good or not so good but I wanted you to see what we see as we go in to record worship each week. I’m sure we’re all missing a workplace or other homes where you gather as family or their cottage or summer place or your favourite place to go; I’m certain we are missing family members or friends or neighbours or coworkers. We’re all missing something or someone and sometimes that missing can feel so tangible it’s as if we can hold it in our hands.
At the weekly gathering for Ministry Personnel for the Prairie to Pine Region, Judy Hare, the Regional Pastoral Relations Minister, showed us the video “Praise for the Pandemic” and asked us: What or who would you be praising during this time? and What or who would you name as blessed? It was good to hear about these people and situations if only to remind us that we are not alone and that we are in this together. I invite you to think about and talk about these same questions with those around you – in person or on the phone or in an email.
I offer to you the following few items that folks have sent to me over these weeks that remind me to smile, to care, to be kind and to share God’s love. I’ve included 2 pictures of 2 very different things – both of which made me smile!
“Whenever we show others the goodness of God, whenever we follow our Teacher by imitating his posture of humble and ready service, our actions are sacred and ministerial. To be called to the priesthood, as all of us are, is to be called to a life of presence, of kindness.”
Rachel Held Evans
June 8, 1981-May 4, 2019
For those wondering about those wonderful sewers, Mary writes:
A rather quirky request was made by Actionmarguerite Nursing Home in St. Boniface for 400 buttons: 3/4″ to 1″. Apparently, when the face masks with the elastic supports are worn for a long time, one’s ears get very sore, so a button band relieves the stress on the ears. Instead of the ears being the supports, the elastics are hitched around the big buttons! The call was put out to MPQ, and a delivery made of 589 pairs of buttons was made. When you do the “math”, that’s over 1000 buttons. Just shows what can be done when many are involved!
As my mother used to say: “All is grist that comes to the mill”. Hope you can use some of this grist!
Debbie reflects:
One positive thing about our forced isolation is that there is much more time for walking. The other day when I was out it felt almost like I was hiking because the silence was profound – no motor vehicles or engine noises, just the honking of geese, the spring song of nesting birds, the sound of water rippling into drains, the feel of a gentle breeze on my face, and the fresh scent of April air. The Spirit was everywhere and in everything. It’s as though creation is returning to its natural state – or, at least, more towards the way it was meant to be. It reminded me of so many of the beautiful hiking holidays I’ve been blessed to have in my life. Somewhere along the way I realized that the reason I love hiking so much is because it forces you to be in the moment. You focus on what is in front of you and anticipate the adventure around the next bend in the path. Your senses of touch, sight, smell and hearing are fully alive and that’s when I feel closest to God. It’s the one time in my life when I’m not wondering about what my purpose is or feeling guilty because of what I have or haven’t accomplished.
Carley shares:
We went for a walk the other day and said hi to an older couple walking, and she said it was nice to see smiling faces, and that people aren’t as happy these days! I responded that I’m always happy to interact with people. I definitely haven’t experienced what she was talking about. Thankfully, I have felt the joy from others, and I feel like we are all in this together. It’s the simple things, like saying hello to a neighbour, that keep me going.
Irene writes during holy week (before Easter):
Please know that you and the congregation of Trinity will be held in prayer and in hope during this very difficult time. None of us knows how long this situation will continue, but we draw on the strength of our faith – and in those times when we feel like it is too much for us, we remind ourselves that this too is part of our faith. Strength to you.
And then a few days later:
It is interesting to think of the meaning of Maundy Thursday in our present context – the symbolism of washing feet from a distance. Or the symbolism of being of being in intensive care with no one able to reach out and touch and cleanse. Perhaps the image of Tenebrae fits – the ever increasing shadows that creep into our lives. And then there is Good Friday! It all weighs heavily, I think. But still there is the promise … of hope and life. But this year I think we get a glimpse into the idea that life is not a simple fix and we don’t step into it quickly. But as I am writing this, I am listening to Enya singing “How Can I Keep from Singing”. Somehow the song is entering into my being more deeply than it ever has. Perhaps that is Easter!
May we all find a moment of blessing in our days,
continue to be well and be safe,
Elizabeth
Trinity United Church 