Community

A screenshot of the CBC online article

             I had the great pleasure this week of speaking with a journalist from the CBC - she was doing a story on how churches were planning Christmas during COVID... word had gotten to her about our delivery of pre-consecrated communion for Christmas, and they were interested in learning more.
            I described how this was not normal, but building on the tradition of home communions (taking the sacrament beyond the building to the people of the church), we were celebrating being spiritually together while physically apart.
            The inevitable question came up: Isn't communion about community?
           Yes. It is! Community with God and with each other. However - community is not always defined as the person seated next to you on any given day. 
            Community is about knowing people, and being known - so we can react and respond when there are changes and occasions within community. It's reaching out to a friend who's going through a tough time... it's dropping off soup to a neighbour with sick kids... it's supporting local groups who work with food re-distribution and social supports... it's praying for the people in the homes you walk past on a stroll... it's journeying alongside someone standing up for what is right... and yes, it's coming together in the church to share in the body and blood of Christ.
            So for those of us here at St. John's, we don't have to come to the building to achieve community - we *live* community. We connect with one another, we reach out to those who may need help, we do what we can to make our part of the world a better place. 
            We don't always get it right, but we do try: because we care, and because we can. 
            And in doing that, we are doing our best to live the Gospel - 365 days a year, including Christmas. 
            Christmas this year was about new ways of celebrating our traditions. So although much was different, much was also the same: including Christmas communion. While the church made a headline one day for delivering communion, we live the joy every day of delivering community. 

Spell-Cherker

In my writing, one of the things I am grateful for is the spell-checker. 

Admittedly, my spelling usually isn't terrible, and my typing isn't generally too bad; however, there are times when I end up with something VERY different than what I intended; I may be typing too quickly, or when I am tired or distracted and not at my best. And so, with a quick spell-check, I get the chance to edit out anything that should not be in the writing.

I've had a lot of opportunity to do this recently; my current chapter 3 is on re-write number 4, with more to come!

As much as it can be a nuisance, this editing and rewriting is a gift; as I am able to re-phrase and re-work my efforts, I can clarify what is being said, eliminate parts that are unnecessary or off-topic or just awkward. And, by going through such a process, my writing is better, my project is more concise, and it's an overall better experience.

Wouldn't it be great if we all did some editing in our daily communications? 

Well, we can: we can be intentional about what we say, and what we write. We can avoid hitting the send button in anger, we can verify facts before we pass along judgements, we can choose an appropriate audience. It's not always easy; but it is always possible - in fact, it's Christian. Ephesians 4.29 reminds us: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

One of the resources I have shared is the "Think Before You Speak" practice.... it invites folks to be intentional, before they speak (or email, or post on social media!)

THINK before you speak. (Or, thiinky before you speaky!)

T - is it true? Are these facts or guesses?

H - is it helpful? Will this build up the church/community/conversation, or tear it down?

I - is it important? Is this adding to the conversation, or has this already been shared? 

I - is it inspiring? Will this encourage the hearer? Is it a faithful response to the situation?

N - is it necessary? Does it need to be shared here and now?

K - is it kind? Even difficult conversations can be kind; is your delivery rude or mean?

Y - is it your story? Or are you telling someone else's story?

It's a good practice to get into, and can provide that basic 'edit' function to our conversations. And we can practice with our friends in casual chats, until it becomes more natural to us... because it will make a profound difference in our interactions, if we can speak the grace that has been given us. All we need to do is imagine how we would feel to hear what we're saying... and maybe find that metaphorical edit button. 

Advent Adventures: New Traditions

          Christmas, we know, will look different this year. And many of us are lamenting what won't be - the traditions that we done in years past, the rhythms of the season that have

            And I know many are expressing these laments in terms of those we hold nearest and dearest. The kids won't have their school concert; the pets won't have their Santa picture, the multi-generational massive feast won't be all at the same table.

            I recognise that this is not what we want. We want the traditions, we want the experiences, we want that inaccessible sense of historical security. Though, would everything *really* be okay if we did what we've always done? Or can we be open to new opportunities?

            I have seen many expressions of enthusiasm as families are focusing their energy on building traditions around their priorities. They are rejecting the "woe is ME!" mentality as they establish new ways to celebrate, having re-evaluated the intention behind each of those things that are changed.

            The family meal? A friend is creating 'take-out' packages and door-drop-delivering to their family, who will all join on Zoom - where no one needs to change out of their PJs!

            The church service or carol sing? With online options, Christmas is so big it bursts beyond the confines of one building! (I'll be worshiping in London and New York, and Winnipeg and Lunenburg!)      

            The fellowship? A friend has compiled a recording of a favourite book for her children, with each chapter read by a different member of the tribe: each day they listen, chat about the person, and send a note of care back.

            The parties? Phone-a-friend and don't worry about vaccuuming up the dog hair!           

            This year is definitely different. And we're not always comfortable with different. But let's find ways to use that different setting that we've been given as a way to increase our intentionality about celebrating. And who knows - maybe our new traditions will be so exciting that even in a post-COVID world we'll want to continue them.