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Dear Passing the Peace Readers, 

This week I have noticed the ways worship preparation and my daily meetings wove into one another as I continue to reflect on the theme of finding God in the midst of extremes and in the in between. Wednesday morning the Palestine Network of Western Ontario Waterways Region gathered online. We shared stories of both heartache and joy, hope and despair, as we discerned how we might serve the church and wider society in a time where so many are struggling to have the important conversations about justice and peace in Palestine and Israel. In all the diversity of concerns and approaches we have, we find each other and God in our shared vision of peace. 

On Thursday, I sat around a table in the Robson Community Room with the Affirming Process Task Group. We shared stories of clarity and confusion, frustration and gratitude, while we discerned how we may continue to offer support and understanding to our community as the Affirming Discernment Process continues. When two people feel like they are not on the same page - what are the spiritual practices that help us see that the Spirit at work is the force that calls us together to see the image of Christ in one another? 

Thank God we have the church, where we can gather together and know we don’t have to figure it out all on our own. This week we will continue to explore how we find belonging even when ideas of “us vs them” show up in our homes and communities. Spoiler alert: it has to do with the Love of God. 

 

I hope the Peace of Christ has abided with you in this week of extremes in the weather, 

 

Yours in Christ, 

Rev Michiko

 Image - "Four Waters at Table” by Hannah Garrity | Sanctified Art - Everrything [in] Between