I know from the Diocesan website that some churches experienced a great amount of success from the Back to Church Sunday. And by success, we usually mean numbers of people in church that day. And here a St Paul’s, there were definitely some new faces, and we enjoyed meeting and talking with them at a “larger than usual” coffee hour after the 11 am service. We even made muffins and enjoyed coffee after the 8 am service. That was cool!
Did we have a greater than usual attendance on Sunday at St Paul’s? No, it was about the same. Some people were “absent and accounted for”. There were some new people there and what really excited me was watching the St Paul’s folks introduce their friends to others in the congregation. There was a new kind of energy at coffee hour. There was a new sense of energy at the Peace. There was a new sense of energy as people started coming into church. And maybe that is what I will take away most from this past Sunday. Watching the faces. Listening to the conversations. Sensing the joy and wonder. In many ways, St Paul’s was at our best!
I think the other thing that I will take away from Sunday is the sense that we can ask people again to invite people to church. We have been learning how to do that over the past few months. So, Thanksgiving is coming, and so is Christmas. Maybe we can try again, and ask again. Maybe what I see on Back to Church Sunday is the beginning of something new. Something has begun. Something is being woven into our Anglican ethos. We can invite people to church. Some people will come. We can welcome them.
And some of the people signed the guest book and gave us their addresses. So, I will be sending them a card this week, thanking them for coming to worship with us and inviting them back. I will also trust that those who invited them will talk to them too, and continue that ancient conversation of “come and see”, nurture what has begun, and open our eyes to see what God is doing in the hearts of all.
A final note of thank you to our Bishops: you showed some good leadership. Thank you to the clergy of the Diocese who helped promote this in our parishes: you helped us think of ourselves in new ways. Thank you to the people in our Diocese who asked someone to church: I know it was tough for some of you, so thank you! Thank you for those who came to church that day: walking through those doors can be a little nervous, so thank you too. And see you soon!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Can't Hardly Wait
I have found myself in a rather strange kind of space today – a sense of anticipation and wonder, looking forward to tomorrow and Back to Church Sunday. I am a little curious about who is going to invite their friends and neighbours. I am wondering how many people are going to be in church. I am wondering how many new faces I will see as I preach tomorrow. I wonder what it be like to share communion with them, bread in hungry hands and wine on thirsty lips. I wonder about what kind of welcome they will receive. I wonder how the music will be. But more than that, I have found myself turning my eyes to heaven and wondering what God has been doing today, this week, this month, these past few years to prepare the hearts of those who will be coming to church in the morning. What has God been doing? Who is God going to bring tomorrow? Who is God going to put in our midst that we have an opportunity to serve, love, embrace and welcome?
I know that God often does these kinds of things: provide opportunities for people like you and me to connect with others. Sometimes we mess it up. Sometimes we do not even notice. Sometimes we do ok. Most of the time, I do not even realize those “God-incidences” until way after the fact.
But this time, we get a bit of advanced notice. So, we get to “get ready” to receive those whom God will bring to us tomorrow. And I like that. We respond to a gift. We have an opportunity to be joyful and to celebrate. We get to see and receive something that perhaps God has been working on for a very long time. Feel like a kid who knows a present is coming in the morning. Can’t hardly wait!
I know that God often does these kinds of things: provide opportunities for people like you and me to connect with others. Sometimes we mess it up. Sometimes we do not even notice. Sometimes we do ok. Most of the time, I do not even realize those “God-incidences” until way after the fact.
But this time, we get a bit of advanced notice. So, we get to “get ready” to receive those whom God will bring to us tomorrow. And I like that. We respond to a gift. We have an opportunity to be joyful and to celebrate. We get to see and receive something that perhaps God has been working on for a very long time. Feel like a kid who knows a present is coming in the morning. Can’t hardly wait!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
They have noticed!
I just finished reading Stuart Mann’s article on the Diocesan website and I sat back thinking – Wow. People noticed. One woman stopped and asked for prayer. Bishop Johnson prayed for her, perhaps one of the few bits of kindness that she would receive that day. And though I did not see the broadcast, I understand that even Kevin Frankish from Breakfast Television mentioned on the morning show on City TV. I am glad that the bishops engaged in this bit of ministry. And yes, this does give me “hope for the church”. But even more than that, this gives me “hope for the world” that people noticed. I sometimes worry that the things we do are overlooked because of that malaise of indifference. But this morning, it looks like I was wrong. Something stirred in human hearts. They may not be able to identify it, but something happened.
The other bit of hope is that the ripples that may be begun this morning outside Union Station can still be felt on Sunday morning. That those who saw our bishops and maybe even talked with them, would be able to tend and remain attentive to whatever stirred within their hearts, and bring that stirring with them on Sunday morning so we can engage in some discernment and deeper listening. That, after all, is what we do. Help those whom God has touched to be more attentive. Hold open some sacred space for the divine whisper to become a more clear conversation.
I think about that woman with whom Bishop Johnson prayed and I can imagine that the quiet words of prayer they offered were perhaps lost in the busy-ness of the morning commute. I hope that the word he uttered will not be lost in her heart. Maybe in the same way that the words of the prayer mingled somehow with all those other conversations at Union Station, maybe the words of that prayer will be mingled with the rest of her life, and begin to bear fruit as time goes on. Maybe she will be at one of our churches this Sunday.
So, go and ask people to come to church on Sunday. And if what happened at Union Station is any indication, people will notice the invitation. We can begin a small ripple across people’s lives that just could make a difference. And if you need some help in knowing who to ask, or a bit of a reminder about, “Now, how do I do this?”, then you local parish priest can give you a hand. It is not that hard. Look around you. The church has sustained and nurtured you for some time now. Who would you like to invite in order that they too may share in that incredible gift of life, forgiveness and love?
The other bit of hope is that the ripples that may be begun this morning outside Union Station can still be felt on Sunday morning. That those who saw our bishops and maybe even talked with them, would be able to tend and remain attentive to whatever stirred within their hearts, and bring that stirring with them on Sunday morning so we can engage in some discernment and deeper listening. That, after all, is what we do. Help those whom God has touched to be more attentive. Hold open some sacred space for the divine whisper to become a more clear conversation.
I think about that woman with whom Bishop Johnson prayed and I can imagine that the quiet words of prayer they offered were perhaps lost in the busy-ness of the morning commute. I hope that the word he uttered will not be lost in her heart. Maybe in the same way that the words of the prayer mingled somehow with all those other conversations at Union Station, maybe the words of that prayer will be mingled with the rest of her life, and begin to bear fruit as time goes on. Maybe she will be at one of our churches this Sunday.
So, go and ask people to come to church on Sunday. And if what happened at Union Station is any indication, people will notice the invitation. We can begin a small ripple across people’s lives that just could make a difference. And if you need some help in knowing who to ask, or a bit of a reminder about, “Now, how do I do this?”, then you local parish priest can give you a hand. It is not that hard. Look around you. The church has sustained and nurtured you for some time now. Who would you like to invite in order that they too may share in that incredible gift of life, forgiveness and love?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
There is a Bishop on the Landing
It was a good Monty Python sketch and I remember a bit of confusion from Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin and the others about what to do with this episcopal visitor who was found on the landing of a house in the suburbs of Leicester. While there was some debate about where he was a suffragan or Diocesan, there was no confusion about what hymn should be sung under these circumstance: at the end of the skit, the cast broke out in a tuneless rendition of All Things Bright and Beautiful.
On Thursday, the Bishops of our Diocese will be standing not on the landing of Union Station, but certainly outside this busy place in the heart of the city to invite people to come to church. At first, I was wondering how people would react to such a display on Front Street in Toronto. But then I took a second breath, and realized that in many ways this is what we need to be doing. Jesus often did things in the gospels that were different and evocative and certainly attracted some attention. But it seems that his concern was not so much about what the reaction would be, but reaching out to the needs of others. If there was a reaction from the crowds or the religious leaders or the disciples, Jesus often used this as a means to ask some more questions and engage in some deeper conversation.
I also wonder about who will see our Bishops tomorrow morning. Sometimes when I leave the house and walk to the church, I am feeling unsettled or distracted by how things went that morning in our home. Usually things are good, but like most families, mornings are not always the smoothest of times. And I can imagine that maybe commuters leaving the GO trains or disembarking the subway may still have some left over stuff about what happened at home. Maybe they are anxious about what awaits them at work. Or maybe they are just tired of where their lives are headed. And maybe, just maybe on Thursday morning, they will see our Bishops: a church with a friendly face, a non-anxious presence on Front Street, a reminder that there is a place we can go when we are tired and heavy ladened.
Not everyone will notice. I imagine that some of the commuters will be obsessed with getting to work on time or finishing the last drop of coffee. But others may notice. And more than that: we will simply be doing what we do. Being there in the heart of the city. A bit more visible. Showing the wonders of God’s love in a besieged city. Seeking the welfare of those where we are in exile, praying to the Lord on its behalf.
One final note – I know that Bishops Colin, George, Philip and Linda have good voices. But let’s maybe wait until next year to sing a hymn on the steps of Union Station!
On Thursday, the Bishops of our Diocese will be standing not on the landing of Union Station, but certainly outside this busy place in the heart of the city to invite people to come to church. At first, I was wondering how people would react to such a display on Front Street in Toronto. But then I took a second breath, and realized that in many ways this is what we need to be doing. Jesus often did things in the gospels that were different and evocative and certainly attracted some attention. But it seems that his concern was not so much about what the reaction would be, but reaching out to the needs of others. If there was a reaction from the crowds or the religious leaders or the disciples, Jesus often used this as a means to ask some more questions and engage in some deeper conversation.
I also wonder about who will see our Bishops tomorrow morning. Sometimes when I leave the house and walk to the church, I am feeling unsettled or distracted by how things went that morning in our home. Usually things are good, but like most families, mornings are not always the smoothest of times. And I can imagine that maybe commuters leaving the GO trains or disembarking the subway may still have some left over stuff about what happened at home. Maybe they are anxious about what awaits them at work. Or maybe they are just tired of where their lives are headed. And maybe, just maybe on Thursday morning, they will see our Bishops: a church with a friendly face, a non-anxious presence on Front Street, a reminder that there is a place we can go when we are tired and heavy ladened.
Not everyone will notice. I imagine that some of the commuters will be obsessed with getting to work on time or finishing the last drop of coffee. But others may notice. And more than that: we will simply be doing what we do. Being there in the heart of the city. A bit more visible. Showing the wonders of God’s love in a besieged city. Seeking the welfare of those where we are in exile, praying to the Lord on its behalf.
One final note – I know that Bishops Colin, George, Philip and Linda have good voices. But let’s maybe wait until next year to sing a hymn on the steps of Union Station!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
With Anglicans, all things are possible
Well, I must say it was a moment for me as their pastor. Both the 8 am and the 11 am congregations got up in the middle of the announcements, and said the words, “Would you like to come with me to church this Sunday?” They said it together. They said it with enthusiasm. They said it out loud. So, it is possible for Anglicans to say those words and live.
The next step will be for these same Anglicans, and so many others like them, to go out into the world and say these words to family and friends, neighbours and co-workers. And to be honest, I think they will do fine. Not everyone they ask will come, but some will. Not everyone who comes will enjoy it, but some will. Not everyone who enjoys it will be back, but some will. I have heard it said that sometimes, ministry is like spreading seed – some of it falls on rocky ground and some on rich soil. Sometimes we need to worry less about where the seed lands, and simply experience the joy and wonder of spreading it around. Sometimes it is good to remember that we do have something to share.
Some folks have begun to look at their own churches and asked what are we inviting these people to. It is a good question. Will we be the same old church that they left, singing the same hymns and mumbling the same words? Or will there be something different, some new expression of our rich traditions, something that speaks to life? Will they see a welcoming and open church, will they see a church that listens, will they see a church that speaks the language of hope, forgiveness, healing and faith? Will those who come on Sunday see and hear and feel something that gives them a reason to come back and find out more?
The next step will be for these same Anglicans, and so many others like them, to go out into the world and say these words to family and friends, neighbours and co-workers. And to be honest, I think they will do fine. Not everyone they ask will come, but some will. Not everyone who comes will enjoy it, but some will. Not everyone who enjoys it will be back, but some will. I have heard it said that sometimes, ministry is like spreading seed – some of it falls on rocky ground and some on rich soil. Sometimes we need to worry less about where the seed lands, and simply experience the joy and wonder of spreading it around. Sometimes it is good to remember that we do have something to share.
Some folks have begun to look at their own churches and asked what are we inviting these people to. It is a good question. Will we be the same old church that they left, singing the same hymns and mumbling the same words? Or will there be something different, some new expression of our rich traditions, something that speaks to life? Will they see a welcoming and open church, will they see a church that listens, will they see a church that speaks the language of hope, forgiveness, healing and faith? Will those who come on Sunday see and hear and feel something that gives them a reason to come back and find out more?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Still a Little Nervous?
There are some folks at St Paul’s that are still a little nervous about Back to Church Sunday. We all think it is a good idea, but I guess closer to the date, some are feeling a bit like Moses: “I have never been very eloquent ... please send someone else” (Exodus 4:10-13). We have two worship services on Sunday morning, and someone from the 8 am service asked if it is ok to ask someone from the 11 am to come to the early service. I rolled my eyes, he grinned, and after a brief discussion, I convinced him that that’s not quite the point of the exercise! Safe, yes, but not quite the point.
So, this Sunday, the week before Back to Church Sunday, we are going to practice. At both the 8 am and the 11 am service, I am going to get everyone to stand up and say those words, “Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?” We will all say it together, out loud, so no one feels left out. And we might even say it with a bit of enthusiasm. That way, my hope is that if we can say it once, even if it is pretending, we can say it again, for real, when we go to work or see someone at the grocery store. We do not need to be eloquent, but we can say it with a little bit of joy.
It will be a full weekend for us here in Brighton. It is our annual Applefest celebrations, a time where quite literally, several hundred people will come to partake of local baking, cultural events and festivities. It is a great weekend. A time when the town will open its doors and share something of ourselves. I hope that as a church, we can do the same. Open our doors, share something of ourselves, enter more deeply that ministry of generosity and hospitality, be ready to invite people to “Come and see”. No strings attached, no gimmicks. Simply an invitation. It has been like this for a long time, it has been like this from the very beginning. In John’s gospel, Philip finds Nathaniel. Later, a Samaritan woman returns to her village with the same invitation to “come and see”. God has always been sending people out with a simple invitation to those who are waiting to be asked.
So, this Sunday, the week before Back to Church Sunday, we are going to practice. At both the 8 am and the 11 am service, I am going to get everyone to stand up and say those words, “Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?” We will all say it together, out loud, so no one feels left out. And we might even say it with a bit of enthusiasm. That way, my hope is that if we can say it once, even if it is pretending, we can say it again, for real, when we go to work or see someone at the grocery store. We do not need to be eloquent, but we can say it with a little bit of joy.
It will be a full weekend for us here in Brighton. It is our annual Applefest celebrations, a time where quite literally, several hundred people will come to partake of local baking, cultural events and festivities. It is a great weekend. A time when the town will open its doors and share something of ourselves. I hope that as a church, we can do the same. Open our doors, share something of ourselves, enter more deeply that ministry of generosity and hospitality, be ready to invite people to “Come and see”. No strings attached, no gimmicks. Simply an invitation. It has been like this for a long time, it has been like this from the very beginning. In John’s gospel, Philip finds Nathaniel. Later, a Samaritan woman returns to her village with the same invitation to “come and see”. God has always been sending people out with a simple invitation to those who are waiting to be asked.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Boldly Going
More and more folks are looking forward to Back to Church Sunday next week. There remains some hesitancy from some people though. And the more I listened to them, it went a bit deeper than just being a shy Anglican. Some of the people I talked to were ok about asking people to come to church. What they feared the most was talking to them about it afterwards: “What if they ask me questions and I don’t know the answers?” A common lament – I get the same thing from people who are asked to teach Sunday School.
And I will admit that we probably have not done a very good job about helping those in our pews share their faith. It is sometimes easier to talk about a movie we saw on the weekend than a sermon we heard on the weekend. I went to see the Star Trek movie over the summer. A couple of days later, some of my friends saw it too. And we all agreed it was a really good movie. In fact, we spent the next few days talking about it. There were some parts of the movie that I did not understand ( that alternative time line stuff is always a bit weird ) but I was in this conversation with my friends not to “get a right answer”. Sometimes, it is simply sharing in the question that is a worthwhile “enterprise”. We talked about the movie: it was ok to allow that gift of wonder, joy and laughter to flow within our friendship. We talked about the movie: not to pick apart the plot or wrestle with the intricacies of how Kirk solved the Kobyashi Maru scenario. We talked about the movie because there is something in our relationship that enjoyed this kind of conversation. We did something together. We wanted to talk about it some more. That is what friends do. If you can do it with a movie, we can do it with church.
So, go ahead and invite someone to church next week. And yes, they may want to talk to you about it afterward. The good news is, you do not have to know all the answers. Sometimes, people ask things not because they want information, but because they want to explore something deeper. Something has touched them. God is getting their attention. When I look at the gospels, this is what Jesus does all the time. He asks questions not as an intellectual examination, but as a kind of sacred inquiry. And sacred inquiry makes room for unanswered questions. If after September 27th, someone calls you and asks you something about what happened, it would be ok to say, “I don’t know” or “Let’s get together and talk about that some more”. Such honesty may be refreshing, and who knows – maybe it will be an opportunity for both of you to “come and see”, to explore the faith together, to boldly go where no one has gone before.
And I will admit that we probably have not done a very good job about helping those in our pews share their faith. It is sometimes easier to talk about a movie we saw on the weekend than a sermon we heard on the weekend. I went to see the Star Trek movie over the summer. A couple of days later, some of my friends saw it too. And we all agreed it was a really good movie. In fact, we spent the next few days talking about it. There were some parts of the movie that I did not understand ( that alternative time line stuff is always a bit weird ) but I was in this conversation with my friends not to “get a right answer”. Sometimes, it is simply sharing in the question that is a worthwhile “enterprise”. We talked about the movie: it was ok to allow that gift of wonder, joy and laughter to flow within our friendship. We talked about the movie: not to pick apart the plot or wrestle with the intricacies of how Kirk solved the Kobyashi Maru scenario. We talked about the movie because there is something in our relationship that enjoyed this kind of conversation. We did something together. We wanted to talk about it some more. That is what friends do. If you can do it with a movie, we can do it with church.
So, go ahead and invite someone to church next week. And yes, they may want to talk to you about it afterward. The good news is, you do not have to know all the answers. Sometimes, people ask things not because they want information, but because they want to explore something deeper. Something has touched them. God is getting their attention. When I look at the gospels, this is what Jesus does all the time. He asks questions not as an intellectual examination, but as a kind of sacred inquiry. And sacred inquiry makes room for unanswered questions. If after September 27th, someone calls you and asks you something about what happened, it would be ok to say, “I don’t know” or “Let’s get together and talk about that some more”. Such honesty may be refreshing, and who knows – maybe it will be an opportunity for both of you to “come and see”, to explore the faith together, to boldly go where no one has gone before.
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