HELLO!

What is the mission of the church in 2026, in a community like Woodlawn, in a province like Nova Scotia, in a country like Canada, in a global context such as we experience in the news everyday? What comes to your mind and heart? As I wander the streets of our community, listen to voices that step inside our church and those I meet on Main Street, in coffee shops and at Margaret’s House, and read stories emerging from Gaza and Ukraine and the mid-term elections in the American Empire, here are some challenges that spring to mind: climate change (no planet = no life), poverty (step outside the church on Thursdays and see the line-up of households living with food insecurity, no funds to pay their bills), blaming our troubles on marginalized groups (gender, orientation, identity, race, religion, if you think this overstated listen for…“we would be better off except for…”). What other concerns do you hear?

And the church is called to be a witness to the world, how to address these concerns, how to see this world, how to respond to its concerns, how to live out our fragile and beloved lives. We are not a collection of the most resourceful, brilliant and gifted people, we can’t assume we can sit in a room and solve all these challenges on our own. However, God has planted seeds in our midst, “the kin-dom of God is here” Luke 17:21. And when we see what God is doing, give thanks, and act accordingly, we cause others to find reasons to notice, to pay attention, and live into the purpose, compassion and right relationships we know to be true.

Of all the challenges we face the one I find most below the radar of public debate is loneliness, which in turn breeds isolation, which in turn breeds suspicion, fear and self-centredness, “me not we”. And to my progressive and social justice fellow travelers I say, “if we are me, it is impossible to build coalitions and movements to address systemic challenges”. When colleagues of mine despair at how the church is shrinking, lacking the resources to do more, I remind them that one challenge we do have the gifts to address is loneliness, churches can and do offer community with a Spirit our world desperately needs. The United Church challenges us, rightly to be inclusive and just as we form community, but diversity is meaningless if there is no gathering, no affection, no support, no joy in being together. I believe, being inclusive and just starts with speaking to others, strangers becoming friends.

Two recent examples: Melissa Curl and Lori Errington, who came to Woodlawn United without knowing a soul and now count on our community for the support they need. Lori visits her mother daily, knowing her time with Vera could come to an end at any moment. “You know what has made this easier? So many folks at church have friended me on Facebook and ask how she is, or they ask at church or in emails. I don't feel alone, truly I don't. And that is everything. I am hanging in there.” And Melissa wraps herself in the prayer shawl we gave her as she makes yet another trip to the US to collect her son Ian’s medications. “I wanted to let you both know the beautiful prayer shawl the church gave us is appreciated and kept me safe on my quick turnaround trip to pick up Ian's refills. All set for another 90 days! Here is a little collage with the shawl in the background, a turtle, our oldest crocheted for me to bring back to Ian, the flags as I went through Customs and Immigration, the successful medication refills, and a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier.”

“We are not alone…We live in God’s world”. Peace, Kevin