Peter's Unconventional Vision, and Ours

 

                                                               Peter's Vision from Acts 10

Yesterday we joined with the congregation at Trenton United Church for Sunday worship. There were people in attendance who haven't been present for a service in-person since the beginning of the pandemic, which was an encouraging sign. We also had a number of visitors because there were seven baptisms, and all of the candidates could walk to the font. Five members of a blended family were baptized, including the mom with four children and teens. The oldest was a man who is a grandparent. It wa a meaningful service and a reminder that in the early church there were no infant baptisms. Yesterday all of those baptized made a personal decision of inner faith and outward commitment. 

The day before a number of Trenton UC members from age six to eighty participated in the annual Trash Bash in town, beginning around the church and extending into the wider community. In the afternoon there was a seminar on inclusivity and acceptance with a focus on the LGBTQ2+ community. During the past two years the congregation opened a Winter warming centre, installed a lift, continued it's meal ministry, and undertook renovations to the kitchen and hall for that important work. 

The pandemic has been tough on a lot of congregations of virtually every denomination. We could say that they went into survival mode but honestly it has become evident that many of them moved into accelerated palliation and have made the decision to close permanently. This has taken a toll on everyone, including clergy. Financial subsidies for congregations have ended which is adding another layer of concern. 

 It's important to keep congregations in our prayers as they discern their future and consider what meaningful ministry will look like in the days ahead. I'll admit that I'm baffled by the congregations which have resisted constructive conversations with neighbours regarding amalgamation, only to announce that they are closing. There are others which seem to have chosen to hide their light under the proverbial bushel, to their detriment.

 While we can pray for these communities of faith in their grief we can also celebrate those which are choosing innovative and faithful Christian ministry, as they are able? Yesterday Rev. Isaac reflected on the lectionary passage from the Acts of the Apostles in which Peter has a vision freeing him to reconsider the conventions of his faith to welcome those who were eager for to become part of the Christian community through a baptism of water and the Holy Spirit, and it was a timely message. 

I won't forget in a hurry the open and expectant faces of those who were baptized.  What's happening now may not look like "church" from another time, but, hey,  nostalgia isn't what it used to be. Conventional wisdom just isn't cutting it in a rapidly changing spiritual landscape. The Holy Spirit is still as work, thanks be to God.