As we enter into our new teaching theme, Jess invites us to reflect on the current state of the world and the tendency within evangelicalism toward escapist theology. She then underlines the significance of our connection and interdependence with the world and each other, and directs our attention toward role models like Jesus and Dorothy Day, who poured out their lives for the sake of the world.
During our 2nd Breakfast service, Erin O’Neill invited us into a prayer practice of lament and longing for peace. Erin shared a bit about what drew her to start a monthly online prayer vigil for Palestine this year, and introduced us to the birds of gaza project. We then spent time making birds together.
Saints, Souls and Seasons — on All Souls’ Day, Walter talks about how we pass faith on through generations by remembering those who have gone on before us.
This Sunday, Jess directed her homily toward blessing and saying goodbye to our beloved Rachael Barham as she and her family prepare for a move and a new season ahead. Themes of beauty, imperfection, interconnectedness, and the divine in all things were woven through the service, as well as much love and gratitude for the many ways Rachael has blessed and shaped our lives and community.
In her last talk with us as part of our Leadership Collective, Rachael shared on how we integrate being present while seeing our moments as part of a pilgrimage with a path and destination in mind.
​On our 33rd anniversary, several of us (including guest, Bradley Jersak) shared thoughts on what they’ve appreciated about being a part of SCC. We closed with Ray’s singing of “Kingfishers” (aka “Icarus” or “The Hot Song”). Much love and gratitude was present.
Walter’s homily tracks the straightforward thread through the morning’s lectionary readings. In order to live the “life that really is life,” we need to turn from our society’s love of money and turn toward the contentment that devotion makes possible.
Vic Thiessen offered a reflection on the recent film, The Life of Chuck, and all the ways that a series of ‘coincidences’ in his life keep pointing to the deep significance of our connectedness and how God’s role in those connections underlines the meaning of life and death.
During our second breakfast service, SCC’s writers circle shared pieces of poetry and prose spanning a spectrum of styles, topics, and emotions. It was a rich and tender morning full of vulnerability and love. Then Jacob Rose closed the morning with his song, Hold Your Head Up High. SCC’s writers circle is open to anyone — we meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7pm.
Jess reflects on the deep human longing to know we’re not alone in the world, and the ways church communities have been a source of love, security and support throughout her life. She shares stories of experiencing divine presence, and explains why she wanted to pass this onto her children even as her own views of God were shifting.