New Vision Notes |
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Today, September 1, is Creation Day. Creation Day begins the Season of Creation. It’s a church season like the Season of Advent, or Lent, or Easter. The Season of Creation concludes on Thanksgiving Day. I am back from my vacation, and, as it turns out, so is New Vision Notes. I heard that worshippers at New Vision last Sunday were inspired by Helen Bradley’s message, and she in turn suggested to me that I include in today’s New Vision Notes the message from Rev. Christine Jerrett she embedded in her talk. I’m most happy to do so. Christine has walked with New Vision from its beginnings just over two years ago. A message from Rev. Christine Jerrett, on entertaining angels unawares “What a wonderful way to live in the world — anticipating that anyone you meet might be an angel, a messenger from God. What a counter-cultural community the church is — welcoming strangers instead of What a challenging calling the church has — to be a place where people see and experience an alternative to the world’s violence and isolation and alienation and loneliness. I see that as the mission to which New Vision has discerned that it is called, and I believe there are people in your community who have discovered/ are discovering the truth of this passage in your life together. It would be lovely to hear some of their stories. You are a most unlikely gathering — only the Holy Spirit could have brought such diversity together into one community — yet you know each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. What a gift you are, especially in downtown Hamilton, where there are so many lonely people. If I were preaching, I would celebrate this great gift God has given you all — this amazing opportunity to live as an alternative to the world’s estrangement, to live in anticipation that angels may be in your midst, to live knowing that God is up to far more than you can see or comprehend. You live in the midst of a wonderful mystery. When you know that, the world becomes an enchanted place. Blessings to you on Sunday, and each day.” Thank you, Christine, for the invitation to us to share our stories of living an alternative to the world’s violence and isolation and alienation and loneliness. That’s a way to make the revolution more than a one time event. See you all Sunday ~ Rev. Ian
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being afraid of them. It takes some getting used to — learning to see the world differently; growing into such graciousness and generosity of spirit. It will take practice, because we have been formed by an alternate story that tells us that strangers are dangerous. That’s why passing the peace every Sunday and gathering at the table regularly are so important. Your bodies and spirits are being trained to live differently. You practice welcoming one another on Sunday so that you get better at welcoming strangers from Monday to Saturday. You practice sharing a meal together with Christ and Christ’s stranger/messengers so that you get better at recognizing him when he is present at other tables.
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