Bless God...

Posted October 10th, 2008 by Gaye Sharpe on the United Church Emerging Spirit Website.

"I sat in yet another all day meeting yesterday. We gathered to report on and wrestle with issues relating to Ministry and Personnel in BC Conference. As part of our gathering time, the Chair, Dal McCrindle, reminded us that prayers asking for blessing are not part of the Hebrew tradition. Jewish prayers "bless God" in recognition of all those aspects of our life that call us to give thanks.

As we enter this weekend of turkey, fresh cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, bless God for:

* Colleagues who will sit in an all day meeting committed to equipping our church with competent, faithful leaders
* Families that place heart in hand and "try" church
* Volunteers who prepare lessons, organize craft cupboards, decorate classrooms and welcome children
* Music directors that risk a "new" hymn because it fits the service
* The last ones out of the building every Sunday because they are making sure every dish is washed, every loonie counted, every concern heard, every hug doled out
* Those who respond "I'm going to church" when asked in the lunch room "What are you doing on the weekend?"
* A church that celebrates the 10th anniversary of its ordination of gays and lesbians AND advertises with a bobble-headed Jesus
* Those that read the "whole" church bulletin and don't need a phone call to be reminded of a meeting
* Those who give a concise, interesting church announcement lasting less than two minutes
* Those who laugh out loud, really loud in church
* The ones who say more than "Good service" at the door
* Parents who approach a font, place a child in our arms and commit themselves and the child to following Jesus
* Those who will not let us forget the call of God to respond to the needs of the wider world
* Youth who demand relevance in worship and programming
* Friends and family who remind us that there is more to life than church
* Children who ask questions through the communion liturgy, gaze spell bound at the Christ candle, search out the elder who needs the hug, drop picks into guitar holes, nurse during the service
* All those who will arrive at our churches this Sunday with gourds and wheat sheaves, pumpkins and muffins, red maple leaves and fresh garden produce to give thanks and bless God for family, the natural world and our church."

Happy Thanksgiving to all and find something of your own to add to the list above.
later man, jan