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HUB Noon Prayers in Memorial Garden. (Thank you Onnig for taking the tree out… yes, there was a tree in the middle of the shot.)

Good day St. Mary’s!  

Creation has taken care of the watering this past while and everything is SO lovely and green. It will be difficult to leave our beautiful home in the country, but we are moving to a different, but equally beautiful, spot in the valley.

Did any of you come across that coffee table book that showed families from around the world in front of their homes with all their possessions? In some parts of the world, it took families all of 20 minutes to pull all their belongings out; in other parts of the world, it took days and the stuff spread into neighbours’ yards.

Well, Jim and I don’t own a lot, but it is amazing how much is piling up on the porch to be thrown out, recycled, re-gifted, donated and moved. I’m discovering things I didn’t know we had. I just opened a tub of fabrics from around the world: gorgeous batiks, fabrics woven with silver thread, weavings from Guatemala and Mexico, multi coloured inkle loom belts, appliqued wall hangings. My whole travel history in cloth. What to do with it all?

When my parents got married, it was after the war and there was nothing in the stores to buy as a wedding gift. So my parents received this beautiful set of hand made dishes from a local potter. I inherited them. So far, no one in my family wants them. What to do with them? I can just hear my mother saying, “Don’t fuss with stuff. Get on with your own life,” but it’s difficult to let go when I don’t know if what I’m letting go of will be appreciated or cared for.

Which is exactly the nature of letting go!

We let go of our children not knowing how the world will treat them, we let go of our homes when it’s time to move on, we let go of stuff that once brought us such joy and pleasure and we have now outgrown, we let go of our loved ones when they pass to the other side. Life is full of letting go’s and welcoming in’s.

I feel both excitement for the next adventure and grief at leaving this place of happy memories. Both feelings coincide; quite easily I must say. I feel God’s blessing and I feel God’s grace, and that is all I need to make this move.  

A blessing for you today –  

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “’The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’” Numbers 6:22-26

“The Lord bless you”…… the word “bless” means to provide favour or benefit. I pray God’s great kindness and love on all of you for your benefit and well being.
“and keep you” …. the word “keep” means to watch, guard or defend. We all need protection from forces seen and unseen. I pray God’s protection over you and for your willingness to walk in God’s light.
“the Lord make his face shine upon you”….this is a request for God’s presence. Just as you feel the warmth of the sun on your face, may you know God’s presence in your life – there even when the sun goes down. I pray you know God’s presence in every cell of your body.
“and be gracious to you” … God’s grace is undeserved. You are worthy simply because you are God’s creation. I pray you receive God’s grace and live gracious lives.
“the Lord turn his face toward you” …. here is your invitation to be in relationship! Turn your face to the One who created and sustains you and yearns to be in relationship with you. I pray you have the yearning and longing for relationship with God as well.
“and give you peace”….. the word here in Hebrew is “shalom” which means completeness, wholeness and contentment. Who doesn’t want that kind of peace!? I pray you know this peace which can be found inside at the centre of your being. (Inspired in part by Ron Moore, The Journey)

God bless you all, today and always. Amen!
Selinde

Church re-opening

The Synod Office has sent out the protocols for re-opening churches on the island. Every parish is unique and must make its own case for safe re-opening. Parish Council will meet next Tuesday to review the guidelines and make plans for re-opening. This will be an involved process and will not be completed overnight. Be patient, stay tuned. You will be informed as soon as plans take shape. The end is in sight. Halleluja!  

The readings for Sunday are Genesis 21:8-21, Jeremiah 20:7-13, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39      

Margaret sent in this insightful piece:   What the Bible Has to Say About Black Anger Click here.        

PS:  Selinde’s parents’ 4 hand-made dishes given to them after the war, circa 1946, need a good NEW home.  Contact her for the details.