Sunday Morning with Shelburne & Primrose United Churches

Humanity is rising and resisting the old story of separation, and embracing the new story of the collective, the desire to include everyone, because everyone is part of the divine family and there are no exceptions, and certainly no hierarchical form of governance based on something so seemingly random as the colour of one’s skin. But we are a long way off from realizing this dream, and there is much work to be done to break down old thinking, old prejudices, old fears, binary ways of being that like to divide and conquer.

Christianity itself is deeply compromised by racism, white washing a Mediterranean Jewish man into an Italian/Swedish composite that removed his naturally dark skin to present something somehow deemed more appealing. We have prostituted our faith in such deep and irretrievable ways, it is no wonder that Christendom has collapsed upon itself, and we are weakened. But to be humbled is the beginning of renewal.

So, let us be humbled. Let us be quieted, let us be still, and let us leave behind all that Christendom claimed as truth and retreat to that singular figure who represented all that we have come to disregard. Let us return to the bosom of our faith, which is neither doctrine nor tradition nor history nor memory but to the one with whom it all began.

Uncertainty is often seen as challenging, and certainly it is not an easy place to reside. But when there is a disruption in our usual routines, the assumptions upon which all our thinking and activities are based, is laid bare. Those assumptions are the hidden under pinnings of our worldview and guide us in the choosing of partners, the way we vote, spend our money, raise our families, and die. All the activities of our lives are based on what we assume to be true and what we hold valuable.

In times of uncertainty, when we don’t know all the answers – and we can’t know them anyway – it gives us a chance, as German writer and critical thinker Rainer Maria Rilke would instruct, to ‘live into the questions.’ And I suppose that is what we are trying to do when we gather together in Sabbath time, to explore the world of thought and spirituality as we live the questions. Hoping that you find here, in our podcast, or extra resources, that which helps you explore your deepest questions.

It is good to be reminded that everyone we encounter is fighting a great battle, something we can’t see and can’t understand. Somehow knowing that, gives us courage for our internal battle – to be good, to find our best selves, to see that everything and everyone does not bear the mark of commercial branding, but of its creator, which is a mystery we cannot unravel. And so, it follows that if everyone is fighting a great battle, they require our respect and our compassion as an accompaniment for their journey. 
 
And given that this is Mother’s Day weekend, I would like us to consider applying this thought exercise to the person or persons who have offered the great gift of nurture to us, as we reflect on a grounding principle of practicing compassion: we are not privileged with knowing the motives behind other people's actions. That  privilege belongs to god alone. 

Our podcast this week focuses on sharing, though not what one would think of as the ordinary kind. Rather it explores the larger landscape of sharing as we connect with others at a deep level, where a shift of worldview is required. 

We are called to stand steady and be amazed at all that we do not know, all that we cannot control, all that may yet unfold. Amazement is such a welcome place to rest. You can bake bread and be amazed to see how the yeast rises. You can watch someone you have known a very long-time sleep and wonder at their existence. You can watch the snowstorm and be amazed at its beauty, no matter the date on the calendar. You can read about people who have died who you never knew, and be amazed at your own connection to them, and the tears they draw from you that you did not know you possessed.

We are in a time of waiting. But there is waiting in terror and there is waiting in amazement.

Choose amazement. Choose to align yourself with divine though, which is your noblest self. Choose to stand and be amazed.

The invisible workings of the spiritual world create the world we see. Do not ever be fooled into thinking otherwise. It was Jesus' great strength - and it is the strength of all spiritual leaders as well - that he never for one moment believed that what he saw with his eyes contained the wholeness of things.

This Sunday morning I will explore a bit of that thought through the eyes of Mary, Jesus’ mother, who stood at the foot of the cross while her son suffered and died, through the eyes of Mary McCartney, the mother of Paul McCartney, who died early, but left behind a strong impression on her son, allowing him to chase after his dreams and realize them, and through the gifts of insight given to the 15th century anchoress Julian of Norwich as she recorded them in her written work, Revelations of Divine Love.

It is a strange Easter not to be gathering together, hugging one another as we pass the peace, singing joyfully together as we end the long contemplative season of Lent.

But we gather together in spirit, and in listening to this podcast, full of hope filled scriptures, beautiful music, teachings from the work of Brother David Steindl-Rast and Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.

No matter the state of the world, all is measured by the state of our hearts. Let your be filled with joy this day. For Sabbath is a time of harmonious atmosphere where everything and everyone is a delight. And this is particularly true on the Sabbath morning of Easter. May love and grace abide.

Throughout the Lenten season at the Shelburne Primrose Pastoral Charge, we have been working our way through Macrina Wiederkehr’s wonderful book Seven Sacred Pauses, Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day.

The keeping of the hours is an ancient practice in the Christian faith, but all faiths have ways of breaking down the day into set time periods so as to be reminded to stop and consider larger matters, to rest briefly, to pray, to walk, to consider, to remember.

This podcast includes readings of Macrina's teaching and prayers, as well as a time to practice vigil on an Easter weekend when the world itself is in a kind of vigil like suspension. Bruce's music will offer you place for soulful reflection. The podcast is just under 30 minutes. A lot can happen in 30 minutes of devotion. 

There isn’t usually a line up for a Good Friday Service. Everyone wants to come to the party on Easter morning. Not so much the bloody mess that is Good Friday. And, well, the name is problematic. Still, it is a story that needs telling once a year, if not more often, because we keep repeating the same stupidness over and over, crucifixion after crucifixion. Perhaps in this great pause that we are currently experiencing, we will hear something new in an old tale.

Part 1 is a traditional service - well as traditional as we can manage, anyway - consisting of a complete read through of the passion story from the Book of John.

Part 2 is a contemporary service is a personal journey with Bruce’s and my art and music. We ponder what it means to ‘stand at the foot of the cross’ as we interact with those around us.

Every blessing during this strange time, with our sobering yet illuminating story. Please feel free to download and use in any way that will guide us forward a more peaceful world.

There isn’t usually a line up for a Good Friday Service. Everyone wants to come to the party on Easter morning. Not so much the bloody mess that is Good Friday. And, well, the name is problematic. Still, it is a story that needs telling once a year, if not more often, because we keep repeating the same stupidness over and over, crucifixion after crucifixion. Perhaps in this great pause that we are currently experiencing, we will hear something new in an old tale.

Offered above is a traditional service - well as traditional as we can manage, anyway - consisting of a complete read through of the passion story from the Book of John. The contemporary service is a personal journey with Bruce’s and my art and music. We ponder what it means to ‘stand at the foot of the cross’ as we interact with those around us.

Every blessing during this strange time, with our sobering yet illuminating story. Please feel free to download and use in any way that will guide us forward a more peaceful world.