A Book of Grace

The word Halloween is derived from the Old English "All Hallow's Eve." Which is to say it is the evening before All Saints Day, which occurs on the Christian calendar every November 1st. All Saints Day is important, for it is the time that we recall the saints of the church who have held us, loved us, taught us, inspired us and, by God's grace, changed us. Spiritual writers consider All Saints Day a "thin time," when the barrier that separates the known and the unknown worlds is less firm than usual.

We will observe All Saints Day on Sunday November 6th. We need this observance so that we may name our griefs, which are many. We carry grief and loss from years past. I will remember Bill Shaw, a leader in my childhood church. I will also remember my mother who died in 2002. We also mourn more recent losses. As difficult as it is we will remember Charlie Negus, whose death has not only affected his family but also our congregation and community. It is important that we acknowledge that impact on All Saints. It helps us with the long, ongoing healing process.

I am touched and inspired by Carl & Elizabeth's list of "Charlie-isms," one for each month of his life (see page 6 of the newsletter). This pretty much defines faith--to look for and find grace in the midst of pain. This is what saints inspire us to do, to create a book of grace that gives significance to our loss. I encourage you to write down your own "isms," perhaps a handful of ways that you have found grace in your own life. Create your own book of grace. In doing so, you will be living out Jesus' words when he said, "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). You will be joining your voices with the saints of all time and places who together worship and sing: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen" (Rev 7:12).

David

To Be Changed

I took this photo of the inside of our church over a year ago. If I took the photo again today, it would look essentially the same. The only difference perhaps would be the light from the windows would be different--today is overcast and rainy. And the table is set differently.

The only thing that changes much inside the sanctuary is the people inside. And that is what church is about--changing lives.

We come to worship to be changed through an encounter with the living God who created us, redeems us and sustains us from the cradle to the grave.

The space is important, to be sure. But it is what happens when you are there that makes all the difference. Rather than making sure nothing changes, come to worship expecting to be changed.

Back online

Due to some error on our blog template, we were unable to make any new posts recently.  I apologize for this delay.  Today I was able to change the blog template, so we have a new look.  This change also cleared up whatever it was that was preventing new posts to be created.  So we're back online now! 

I recently listened to a Presbyterian Outlook webinar from church consultant Tom Ehrich entitled "Overcoming Invisibility."  This is part of the series he is doing over the next few weeks--"Turnaround Strategies for Your Church." 

It's interesting to me that he didn't say anything at all about the physical location of churches.  All he talked about was the virtual presence that we have online.  He said every pastor should be a blogger and should blog daily.  Every pastor should have a Facebook and a Twitter presence. 

The key is not to reach out to existing church members, but to have an online presence that reaches new audiences.  This is nothing new to millions of people who already use social media.  The trick is can the church recognize this as the way to connect with people?  Will the church support ministries that don't get people here on Sunday mornings, but still help to change lives? 

I'm going to do my part. 

You can follow me on Twitter:  @davidivie1 

Peace,
David