This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity so I would like to describe for you all of the events taking place in Belleville...there, I'm done! To be fair, there may be activities or worship opportunities I don't know about, but I figure I would have been contacted if another pastor or group of clergy had organized them.
It is the challenge in many communities that while there is a designated week for "making nice" with one another, it just doesn't happen. I have served in communities where the effort is made for a year or two or even more, then the initiative falters. It is often because of changing leadership -- clergy come and go. In other places it is because of theological differences. In the past I have been told point-blank by conservative colleagues that they have to be careful about the unity language they use because it might be perceived as too liberal. Apparently only liberal weirdos would suggest that "we'll know they are Christians by their love." Actually, in some communities it is the evangelicals who take the lead and the events they plan are ambitious.
I have disappointed to discover that there is no ministerial in Belleville and no will for one either. In my last community we didn't celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity but a gang of us participated in a community worship service in June, shutting down our various churches to gather in a downtown park. The service was really well attended and sent a positive message about unity to the wider community. That ministerial also sponsored a community meal and worshipped together on Good Friday, along with other activities.
Since I have been here nearly two years I suppose that I don't have any excuse for taking the lead on this for 2016. It ain't easy for Christians to get along, sinful bunch that we are. But it's worth a try.
The theme this year "give me a drink" refers to the Samaritan woman who give the Jewish Jesus a drink of water. In turn he gives her "living water." We can be refreshed and renewed by reaching out to those who are not quite like us.
Do you figure it's important to find common ground and share worship experiences within communities? Is it more urgent now than in the past?
Can we get even our United Church congregations together more often?
ReplyDeleteIn December St Matthew's and Bridge St. UC began a cordial conversation about mutual concerns & support. Since then four more in the "greater Belleville" area (sounds grand, doesn't it?) have agreed to join that conversation. There may be more. We're heading in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAh, the GBA - sounds impressive !
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