What a faith community can bring!
I was reminded this week about how important it is to share our faith in community. As some of you know I attended a clergy retreat with colleagues from several regions of the United Church. At this retreat, the ministers were reminded that we were not here to minister to anyone, we were being ministered to. We were the ones being nourished, and cared for. We spent time worshipping, praying, reflecting, and one of the most powerful pieces for me was sharing our faith stories, and our questions, our fears, our doubts, our hopes and joys in community.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still nourished and find inspiration in my individual spiritual practices and through my calling to ministry, but I gained so much insight from hearing other people’s journeys. I remember this one moment when we were sharing our favorite Jesus stories. This one person lit up as they recounted the story of the little boy who fed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. This story was a reminder of how a little boy, who didn’t have money, who wasn’t expected to do anything, shared what he had, shared his spirit of generosity and by answering the call to share and serve, the community was transformed, they were fed and nourished, and brought together through an act of love.
There was another moment when we were invited to go outside and be in nature, in God’s creation. We were invited to notice something and then spend time with it using all our senses. Again it was a lovely individual moment that brought forth some insight into my life and calling, but what was even more powerful was when we shared our experiences in small groups. There was a connective thread in what people shared. The Holy Spirit was witnessed and found in the trees, the butterflies and the white rabbit! When I looked up what seeing a rabbit might mean, I discovered that a rabbit in certain traditions is seen as a spiritual guide - something that appears when you’re meant to pay attention or change direction. Rabbits are strongly associated with spring and rebirth and can amplify this into a spiritual transformation.
There were so many delightful connections with people that I met for the first time. One minister who is in Manitoba, was the one who officiated at my Great Aunt’s funeral two years ago. I wasn’t able to attend the service, but when I discovered this connection I felt a sense of peace, knowing that my Great Aunt and my extended family were cared for by this person that I now had connected with.
These connections, these deeper meanings, these moments when I recognized the Holy Spirit at work, happened in community. The benefits of studying our faith in small groups, or serving people as God has called us, and engaging in communal spiritual practices are moving. I know that this is difficult for lots of people, who are not able to physically get to church, but the one thing we learned over COVID is that we have the technology to connect with others. We each need to find a way to connect with one or two others about our faith, me included! Some of us have the time and ability to attend programs at the church. Some of us find having a spiritual friend or two can provide the same connections. If you are feeling that you are alone, or isolated, I want you to reach out. Let me know that you are looking for a spiritual friend or a spiritual circle. It is time to connect, and I know you are not alone in this desire. I hope you will take time to reflect and notice where the spirit is at work, and where God is calling you to connect! You are truly beloved by God and you are a gift! Rev. Karen