During Stewardship Month, members of St. George’s share their stories of Grace & Gratitude. Our second story is from Gregor and Heather Schoenberg. Heather and Gregor have been at St. George’s for 1 year since Sunday, are heavily involved in music, and are long-time United Church people.

Romans 12:9-21
Testimony: Heather & Gregor Schoenberg
Preacher: Rev. Ryan Slifka

Testimony

 Here are Gregor & Heather’s notes.

·         Unlike Roberta, we have been here at St. George’s a very short time, just one year!  Our roots are strong in the United Church, however.

·         Married in Anglican Church with RC Priest in attendance

·         We knew from the start we wanted to belong to a church community

·         Tried numerous Catholic, Anglican and independent churches in our first few years in Calgary – could not find a good “fit.”

·         Moved to Varsity and met Darlene who suggested St. David’s United…numerous times over several years.

·         We finally showed up at St. David’s on a late summer Sunday in 1993 when the service included a small group of families doing a short musical called Cool in the Furnace.  Found out the plan was to do Joseph the following year – this intergenerational group was called the Genesis People, and we participated in the musical that year…and for many years after.

·         The group was really about building community – one year you could have a big part in the show, and the next year you could be building and painting sets.  It was all about participating with your family in a larger group effort.  Truly magical times.

·         The United Church provided space for my questioning, diverse musical opportunities and a community of like minded people. Our kids were in the children’s and youth programs, Gregor and I were in the choir and a marriage care group.

·         In the ensuing years, Gregor’s music led us to several other churches, and our son Geoffrey also worked as a youth leader in other churches in Calgary. 

·         Nevertheless, we still called St. David’s “home.”  (Although sorting out Christmas Eve service attendance did become somewhat challenging!)

·         We moved overseas for a few years, and even found a “Uniting Church” home in Brisbane Australia!  (Very similar to Canadian United churches.)

·         So, when we arrived in Cumberland last October one of the first orders of business was to check out churches. We had attended service at Comox United, so we decided to check out St. George’s…one year ago today.

·         We liked the music, we liked Ryan’s message so we were feeling pretty good about things. And then, St. George’s “radical hospitality“ kicked in. Alison Mewett said hello to us from the pew behind, and Rosemary Carnahan made sure we came for coffee..Ryan stopped by and chatted with us for at least half an hour. He suggested we drop in to choir rehearsal the following week.  We felt both valued and welcome.

·         Eve Mark, of course, welcomed us to the choir. Beyond that, she encouraged us to participate in after choir “beverages.”

·         I was invited to the UCW Christmas dinner where the hosts ensured I had someone to sit with.

·         I was also struck by the humble service of the church…for example, the Sonshine lunch program, the Coldest Night of the Year walk, and thought “ This is a place that embodies the spirit of Christ.” I know now that a church that holds Christ’s teaching as its centre is the place for me.

·         Gregor’s comments – for me, music is often a critical part of the church service.  When the spoken word (readings, Minister’s sermon) is reinforced, amplified, or contrasted with the content of the music, a more powerful message can be delivered.  Being able to participate in that process continues to be a source of immense personal involvement for me, and it is something I am deeply committed to. 

·         This was something I noticed at St. George’s right away – a strong commitment to having music be an integral part of the service.

Sermon

One thing I love about these testimonies is the variety of scriptures people choose. Everyone's got their favourite. And it's always a fun challenge to find the connections between testimonies and the scripture.

Heather and Gregor chose Romans 12 verses 9-21. It's this long exhortation at the end of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. It's a letter to one of the earliest Christian communities, one of the first-written records in the New Testament.

Now it's likely that Paul wrote this letter because this gaggle of early disciples just couldn't get along with each other. They couldn't get along with each other, or the secular community around them. Resentment inside church walls, hostility out on the street.[i] So Paul's writing all of these directions to love one another, live peaceably with neighbors, escaping their own arrogance and loving enemies because these folks were doing the exact opposite. These are church people behaving badly. Which was almost always the case in the New Testament whenever Paul puts pen to paper.

Now I don't get the sense that Heather and Gregor chose this text because they figure we as a church need a proper scolding, or a good talking to. If so... we fell for your trap. Well played!

No, if you were paying attention, you'll have heard echoes of the story Paul tells in their story.

In Calgary they tried many churches, but it was St. David's United Church that fit. There they and their children were drawn into gracious and open-minded community. One where they could share their talents, especially musical ones, all towards a common purpose. And at St. George's it looks like they were virtually mugged from the moment they stepped in the door. Smothered by hospitality. Welcomed by the same love on Sunday that the church seeks to extend in its outreach ministries for the rest of the week.

You get the sense that Heather and Gregor's experience with the United Church of Canada in general, and St. George's in particular, has reflected the end goal of this text in some way.  They've experienced love, and mutual affection. Hospitality extended to them as strangers. Generosity towards those in need, association with the lowly, the least, the last and the lost. Paul doesn't include a place where you can share doubts without fear, and questions are honoured. But it could probably find a place under his order to outdo each other in showing honour, and not pretending to be wiser than we are.

Certainly, no church perfectly lives up to this description. I mean, we wouldn't bother with a prayer of confession every Sunday if we actually did. But in their story we hear echoes of Paul's story. Of genuine love. Of evil overcome with good. On our best days beautiful things can and do happen.

Gregor and Heather's story shows us the huge difference it makes when communities of faith can actually pull off some of this stuff. Even if just one or two. Even for a just little bit. It makes a fine advertisement for St. George's and the United Church as a whole. Maybe Gregor can write a punny jingle. If you know Gregor, his love for puns and dad jokes is maybe only rivaled by my own.

Of course, this testimony isn’t only an advertisement for St. George's, or the United Church of Canada. All of the good stuff Paul directs the Roman Church to do in this letter is in response to all the good stuff that God has done for them in Jesus Christ. Holding fast to the good, rejoicing in hope, patience in suffering, hospitality, love of enemies. The kind of community they can be, the quality of life they can live is all thanks to Jesus, who opened the door for them to a new way of living. One Paul calls “life in Christ.”

Which is to say we haven’t pulled off any of the stuff Gregor and Heather shared by ourselves. Or for ourselves. All the good we've been able to do as the church is thanks to the source of all good. Every sandwich we share at the soup kitchen comes from the same heavenly table. And the love we show to eachother is in all in response to the One who first loved us. Everything Heather and Gregor have shared with us is an extension, a manifestation of God's grace on earth as it is in heaven. To paraphrase Paul in another one of his letters—we plant the seeds, we water the garden. But it's God who gives the growth.[ii]

So you could say that this isn't just a quality advertisement for church. It's a glossy billboard for the grace of God. And the life that is given to us already in Christ. Maybe Gregor could write a punny jingle for God, too.

If you've been around for a while you probably already know this. So here's another opportunity to yet again give God thanks. For Gregor and Heather and their many gifts. For the United Church. And for all the ways you've experienced life in Christ at St. George's.

And if you haven't been around for a while. If church, if faith is new for you—maybe you're getting a sense of what you might be missing out on. Maybe this something of a holy nudge to go deeper. To connect regularly through worship, group ministry, or otherwise.

Either way, we're given a glimpse of the life that's possible in beloved community. The kind of life that's possible in the company of people like Gregor, people like Heather, and so many others. The kind of life that's possible in the presence of the living God.

And so in the words that Paul ends this letter with. “To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever!”[iii]

Amen.

[i] Though this point is disputed, I believe it is likely that a community conflict of some kind was the occasion for the letter (as in the case of most of Paul’s letters). For an overview of viewpoints see Michael Gorman, The Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and his Letters (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), 338-411.

[ii] 1 Corinthians 3:7.

[iii] Romans 16:27.

During Stewardship Month, members of St. George’s share their stories of Grace & Gratitude. Our first story is from long-time member Roberta Feely. Roberta has been a part of St. George’s for 57 years, with most of them spent with her late husband, Tom, who died this past Easter.

John 14:23-29
Testimony: Roberta Feely
Preacher: Rev. Ryan Slifka

Testimony (Roberta Feely)

Who am I, and how did I get here?  I came to the Comox Valley, on a temporary basis, to work in the Telephone office.  I met the love of my life, and never left.  I started going to St. Georges the first Sunday of my being here, as my Father told me, if I wanted to meet good people, that was where I should start.  It didn’t happen instantly, but over time (57 years) I have met the most caring and loving people, that I now call, my Church Family.                   

I have been involved in the Sunday School, that is just what you do when you have young Children, went as a leader at the Church camp, for Junior Girls, and then as a director of that same camp, for three more years. and what an experience that was.  But I learned, I can do all things, thru Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).             

I have been involved with the United Church Women, I have been in many Bible Studies, and led many as well, I am an elder in this Church, been on session as well as the Church Council.  I have been on numerous smaller committees, and thru all this have gained lasting friendships. Tom and I have always felt very responsible for giving to the Church both monetarily and with brute strength. Our good fortune has not come without a lot of blood sweet and tears, but, our Lord has blessed us in all things that we have experienced, and endeavored to accomplish. I will never forget the sermon I heard about the widow’s mite, I was quietly crying, at the back of the Church, because I felt I was she.  I then realized that there are many ways of giving, and Christ has given us an incredible sense of peace knowing that we have done the right thing.

I dedicated my life to Christ as a teenager, and as a result, my journey thru life has had a lot of ups and downs, but as in the 23rd Psalm, The Lord has been my Shepherd.

Through all of the heart aches (and there have many) and the times of great joy our Lord has said that “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

When my husband was failing, I was called in to be with him, I didn’t know if I could deal with his dying, so I called a dear friend, to give me support. It was fairly late at night, I said I could drive out myself, but would call her if I needed help.  I know she was praying for me, and I was able to be with Tom, with her prayers and support.  This is what a Church Family is all about.

It is because of the love and support of this Church and my Savior Jesus Christ that I am able to stand before you now.

Sermon (Rev. Ryan Slifka)

Thanks Roberta, for sharing. You and Tom have pretty much served in every single committee or capacity in the church over the past 57 years. You could say you’re a “seasoned veteran.” And the right kind of person to start this series with.

Roberta’s a good person to start with on account of her experience. But she’s also a good person to start with because in her testimony she laid out a) one of the big differences God makes in our lives. And b) the difference God and church make together.

“Though all of life’s ups and downs,” she said, the Lord’s been my shepherd. Through many heartaches and joy’s, God’s been there for her and her late husband, Tom. “Peace I leave with you,” she said, reciting Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.

These words come from the gospel of John, the fourth gospel. It’s from what’s called the “Farewell Discourse.” Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and execution are immanent. So his disciples are not only distressed—they’re terrified. With him at the helm, they’re solid as a rock. Without him they’ll just be blown away by the winds of adversity. They’re scared of being left alone.

Jesus, though says he’s not actually gonna leave them alone. He’s going to the Father, he says. And he says that when he does go God’ll send “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit” in Jesus’ name to teach them and remind them of everything he’s said and done. And because he’s sending the Spirit, the disciples don’t have to be afraid. Their hearts don’t need to be troubled. Christ will still be present to them. No matter what challenges they’ll face, they won’t be alone.

Now often, we tend to think of God in the abstract, as an idea. As in “do you, or do you not believe that God exists?” It’s a fine question, one I could talk about until the cows come home. But here Jesus isn’t talking about his existence. He’s talking about his presence. The immanent, nearby, with-and-for presence of the Holy Spirit as an Advocate. As a defense attorney. As somebody in your corner. I picture Burgess Meredith—the boxing coach from the Rocky movies. Encouraging, refreshing with a drink of water—you can do it, Rock![i]

The Holy Spirit is this source of incredible strength when we’re pinned against the ropes and our backs are against the wall. She’s this bottomless well of life and hope that we can draw on when we’re just about beat. When we can’t muster any more fight within us. The promise of peace in the midst of chaos. The assurance of strength and courage… in the midst of trouble and despair.

God for Roberta’s has been her Advocate. Has been a source of strength, of courage, of peace—no matter what. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… peace not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Do not be afraid.”

That’s not the end of it, though. Because one thing we tend to miss about the Spirit is that the Spirit’s most powerful work isn’t done one-on-one.

We live in such a hyper-individualistic culture, so it’s tempting to think of God as like everything else. It’s just me and Jesus—we’re good.

But notice the way that Roberta ended her testimony. She didn’t have what it took to be there for Tom in the final hours of his final day. Even with all this experience. Even with this lifetime of faith. She couldn’t do it.

She couldn’t do it until she had a conversation with a friend. She was prayed for, encouraged, strengthened by a friend from church. And then she could.

Now all of this actually makes complete sense. Because in John’s gospel… in all the gospels… in the whole New Testament… the Holy Spirit works not just in the lives of individuals. But through the church. The body of Christ. The whole gathered community of faith.

The idea of a single Lone Ranger[ii] Christian, just practicing their faith by themselves makes no Biblical sense. It’s why the Apostles’ Creed—which we’ll say later in the service—has the church under the heading of the Holy Spirit.

We can certainly lean on the Spirit when we’re alone. But the Spirit’s most powerful, transformative, peace-bringing, despair-dispelling work seems to happen in the Spirit-dwelling community. Roberta’s story, you could say, testifies to this truth. That the Spirit works most powerfully in community.

So what does it all mean?

Well, first of all—it means that we can’t do any of this stuff on our own. For most of us life’s just too hard, it’s too unpredictable, too filled with loss, failure and pain and struggle. We need a peace that the world can’t give us.  We can’t do any of this on our own. We need an Advocate in our corner.

And the good news is that this Advocate, this peace, is promised to us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises us peace. Right here, right now. And he promises us this peace in its fullest, deepest form in his beloved community. The church.

And—hey—seeing as how it’s stewardship month, it means that church is important.

Not on account of its programs. Not on account of its music, or its preaching, or the number of sandwiches handed out to street people. It’s because the church—at its best—is the dwelling place of the Spirit. It’s where people who wouldn’t have anything to do with eachother otherwise are brought together by Jesus and empowered by his Word to do more, to be more than they otherwise would do and be.

It’s been said that “God’s office is at the end of your rope.” Well the church is the little knot at the end of that rope. The church gives the Spirit something to grab on to. Someone to share our lives with. Flesh and blood people who not only care for us, they pray for us, strengthen us, encourage us. Because they know about, abide by, and share in that deep, promised peace.

But don’t take my word for it. Roberta said it first. And scripture said it before her.

So grab a hold however you can. And if you already have, there’s someone else who’s dying to do the same. By God’s grace, throw them the line.

Amen.

[i] If you didn’t catch this reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky

[ii] And if you didn’t catch this other one, either: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Ranger