Passing of the Peace #4
Greetings
My dear siblings in Christ,
May warmth, creativity, and love continue to fill your homes as we try to make sense of a new normal.
May you find ways to be gracious and compassionate with yourself when change feels unmanageable or greif catches you off guard.
May this unusual Lenten journey teach you new ways to explore and nourish your faith.
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
I am wishing you safety, health, and happiness from my home in Toronto where I continue to be blessed with good company, good food, and this wonderful opportunity to be in ministry with Glen Morris United Church. I am sorry to not be worshipping with you in person during Holy Week, we certainly had many promising and exciting ideas in the works before it all came to a halt! I hope to be able to join many of you in worship online this weekend. Please know that I hold all of you in prayer while we are physically distancing.
Staying Connected
Good Friday Worship Service - Friday April 10, 10:30am
Join me for a time of prayer and reflection as we journey to the lowest point of Holy Week. Click on this link to join. Please contact me if you would like to help by doing a reading.
Coffee Hour - Sunday April 12, 10:00am
Join us on zoom for a “bring your own coffee” community gathering time before 10:30 am worship. Simply click here on Sunday morning at 10 am to share the peace of Christ with one another and share how you’re doing. Building and tending to our community in these ways is sacred work and I thank all of you who have been gathering with me.
Easter Sunday Worship Service - Sunday April 12, 10:30am
While we have promised to celebrate Easter and communion the next time we gather in-person for worship, I would like to invite you to join me online Easter morning. It will not be the same as gathering together in-person but please join if you would like to celebrate the Good News that abides even during a pandemic. Click on this link to join. Please contact me if you would like to help by doing a reading.
Prayers of the People
Send me your prayers and prayer requests by email or by phone call at any time! Here are some questions to help guide you:
Who did you see acting as God’s hands and feet in the world this week?
How has the covid19 pandemic impacted your faith? What new questions are you asking God these days?
Who would you like our community to lift up in prayer?
Offering
One of the ways that we remain connected to our community is by offering our time, talent, and treasure. I want to thank the many people who are offering companionship and care during a time of increased isolation for many. Please stay in touch through our Glen Morris Community Facebook group to learn more about how to help each other out. If you are able, please continue to support the church financially during this time. Our building may be closed but the work of the church continues!
Thanks to your generosity we are not only able to support ministry here in Glen Morris, but also contribute to the Mission & Service Fund of The United Church of Canada. Click here to learn more about the amazing work a community centre in Victoria, BC is doing by supporting the most vulnerable during the covid19 pandemic.
An Easter Greeting from The Very Reverend Richard Bott
“God is doing things. Mysterious things. Miraculous things. Incredible things. Resurrection things. Whether we know about them or not. And we will celebrate those things with great joy and wonder-filled alleluias—when the time is right.”
Spiritual Practices
Musical meditation: Be Thou My Vision
A beloved hymn is given a beautiful Celtic twist. Take a moment to pause, sing along, dance along - however the Spirit moves you.
Building a Sacred Space: Take some time to create a space that helps you feel grounded and invites you to reflect spiritually. Consider including symbols of your faith, reminders of loved ones, and items you would like to use for spiritual practices (such as incense or candle). Although the church may continue to feel like the sacred space we are most used to or connected to, it can be helpful to create your own sense of sanctuary at home. Here is a picture of the sacred space I have created for myself in my office. It includes ashes from sacred fires I have gathered around, hand-made gifts from loved ones, artwork made by local artisans that are keepsakes from my travels, and a good handful of candles that I don’t have to worry about forgetting to blow out.
If you are hoping to join a community of faith for worship:
Join us this Friday at 10:30 am for a Good Friday service online, through zoom.
Join us this Sunday at 10:30 am for an Easter Sunday worship online, through zoom.
This interactive map has links to churches across the country that are streaming their worship services. More information about worship online, including how to join the Moderator for worship, can be found here.
Closing Prayer
Please join me and the National Indigenous Elders Council of The United Church of Canada in praying for the church, all those impacted by the covid19 pandemic, and the many challenges being faced by Indigenous communities across Canada these days:
Creator, God,
We ask you to be with us.
We pray for those who are ill, and for those we cannot be with as closely as we wish.
When we are afraid, help us to remember and be grateful for:
Water, which gives life.
The land, which sustains us and restores us to health.
The wisdom of Elders, who guide us.
Our young people, who deserve a bright future.
Our strength and resilience, which will bring us to a new day.
Help our leaders respond appropriately to the specific needs of Indigenous communities. Help us to walk compassionately with all who are ill or afraid. Help us to understand that we are all relatives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Michiko
647-967-0746