Our congregational gathering on Sunday March 26th was a time for community, gratitude, laughter, tears and commitment. For those who couldn’t be present, here are a few reflections and excerpts from the day.
A Call to Worship:
Breathing in, breathing out, the Spirit of God calls us to this place. Breathing in, we inhale our unity with all creation. Breathing out, we share ourselves with all our relations.
Jazz Prasad writes:
The transition period as a new member of St. John's United Church has been a positive experience. I have never felt so welcome, respected, and encouraged by middle aged, and senior folks in my entire life long experience in churches of many denominations. It has been, and continues to be great to receive ongoing pastoral care via e-mail, encouragement from church members, opportunity to sing with the choir, and rides to attend service when we need that help. I look forward to the future growth we will have as a church.
Bob Ware writes:
…. to have fifty or so congregants willingly give so much time to the service and work afterward indicates to me that we are involved in the process. At my table, we had one person be such a wonderful support to all. She kept everyone included and active, taking notes as we progressed. Others at the table, jumped in with both feet, and conversation really didn’t veer away from the topics at hand. We did sometimes move to the next one before we received the symbol but mainly as a logical extension to what we were discussing. As each one joined in and contributed I backed off and only participated as one of the members, not as the leader. There was no need to have to bring them back on topic at any time in the process. One relative newcomer related that the way they found St. John’s was through our website, and another said she felt so welcome in this place. We experienced many gestures of caring and support around our table.
From “Little Gidding” by T. S. Eliot:
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.