Last night I came across the Westminster United Church on Twitter along with a recent prayer resource from its worship services. I am not familiar with this congregation although I was drawn to the readings and resources provided on-line. Their mission statement describes their community as “an inclusive church for Progressive Christians…Creating something beautiful for God.“
Recognizing God’s beauty in my day to day life is a practice I attempt daily….with limited success, at times! Beginning my day with the Daily Readings from Scripture, regular walks and time outdoors in nature, and (trying to) absorb all the energy of my children with positivity and optimism describe some of my efforts. Of late, I am extremely grateful for the privilege I enjoy of working remotely while my office and our close colleagues strive to ride out this Omicron wave of Covid as safely as possible.
“A Gentle Presence”
A Poem by Chuck Lathrop (in More Than Words, pp. 142-143)
For the church to call itself to work as Jesus did, in poverty and under oppression,
is to seek an unaccustomed stance.
It is to be, stand, and operate from the point of view of the world‟s victims and losers.
It is to live and preach the gospel from the bottom up. It is a falling down, a downward mobility, if you will, into the commonality of human existence.
It is neither nice nor comfortable.
In addition, it is confrontational and conflictual.
Because of such a stance, the church, while it is committed
to and in the world, will also be at odds with the world “as it is.”
Such obedience to God will necessarily mean it will be a minority phenomenon, a threat to any political or cultural status quo.
The ramifications are many, the cost is high.
I would add….”And the reward is great.”
Keeping the Faith 