A Prayer for Squamish United Church

A Prayer for Squamish United Church

Creator God, with whom we journey

in this season of the life and faith

we live in hope, trust and mystery

longing to live into your wisdom

as the one who makes all things new.

Holy One, we give you thanks for the gift of each new day.

And for the mission and ministry of Squamish United Church.

Living in your grace and faithfulness we have embraced your presence in our lives.

as together we have ministered in downtown Squamish for almost a century

We hold deep gratitude for the many who have

built this church and community over the years.

We cherish the gifts given by those who have gone before us,

Live in appreciation of those who serve and minister with us now,

And are already thankful for the anticipated ministry that will follow us.

God in whom we live and move and have our being

Enliven, Strengthen and Entice us now to be a vibrant centre for mission and ministry,

embracing the lives of the people of Squamish as we connect our church and community.

Transforming Spirit be with us in this season

as we begin to live out our ministry in a new way

Assist us as we seek to be faithful stewards of all we have.

Give us wisdom and courage as we seek to live out our mission and ministry

through redeveloping our church property and connecting with Sea to Sky Community Services,

Always being thankful for the many blessings we have already been given.

Holy Spirit, deepen our trust,

as we partner with you,

in making all things new.

Amen.

The Reverend Karen Millard

May 2011

Keith Howard Webinar

http://blogs.united-church.ca/edge/transforming-ed/webinars/keith-howard/

We're on the move

So I can hardly contain the excitement I hold for Squamish United Church who made a decision yesterday to commit to build a joint hub with Sea to Sky Community Services.

I am excited about this because I honestly believe God has been pulling us in this direction.

I had folks comment to me yesterday that they felt the Spirit moving in the room as we voted and as the results became clear.

I believe this is the sort of thing we as church are called to. Jesus said "I have come that all might have life and have it abundantly." To me abundance involves care of the whole person - body, mind and spirit. To be a part of a ministry that cares for 'the whole' is a truly a blessing. This is what I have been called to do and be.

I know we have a lot of things to work out along the way, programs to develop, buildings to build, ministries to focus on, money to be raised but if this is truly a spirit led mission we will do it together.

Now I also want to speak to those of us who are nervous about this big step. I guarantee we will have questions and concerns along the way. My prayer is that we will all seek to be faithful and honest on our journey. And remember first and foremost to Love God and Love One another. Striving together day by day.

If you have questions, concerns, dreams of visions please share them honestly along the way.

Many Blessings,

Karen

Searching For Shalom

This morning I was trying to figure out what I had to say in the midst of a week that included a Royal Wedding, the assassination of Osama bin Laden, and a Canadian election that has left me baffled and for the time being speechless. And then I saw a book sitting on my desktop "Searching for Shalom" by Ann Weems and it helped me rediscover the longing of my heart. To be honest it is the title itself that brings me to pause and take a deep breath but the poem may help orient our lives.

Searching For Shalom

I keep searching for shalom,

drawing my water from one well after another

-but still I thirst

for the shower of blessing that is shalom.

I yearn for life to be just and merciful adn peaceful,

but the streets are filled with daily deaths

of spirit and of flesh....

but no shalom.

I keep searching for shalom,

away from crowds and commotion,

but peace and quiet don't blot the pain

of broken hearts and broken bodies.

I keep searching for shalom,

thinking perhaps I'll find it in a quiet field of flowers

or in star or sea or snow,

but still the innocent are trampled.

I keep searching for shalom,

standing in holy places,

sitting among saints.

Surely in the sanctuary I will find shalom.

I keep searching for shalom,

but holy places are not magic.

Good works and printed prayers

don't guarantee shalom.

Beyond cathedral walls and above ethereal music,

the blaring din of death persists.

Back in the streets, the people walk in darkness.

I keep searching for shalom.

I have pursued and sought it.

Have I looked in all the wrong places?

What is this bonding,

this glue among us, this cohesiveness

that holds us in the hope of shalom?

The longing won't die.

the hope keeps emerging like a new sprout

that perseveres on the stump of a felled tree.

Even in the daily barrage of obscenities

some new star melts into my eyes

and the promise persists.

Here in the darkness some new light

stirs within me.

Here in the streets I find shalom.

Shalom lives not in the sanctuary,

but in the streets....

in chaos

on a cross.

In the face of Jesus is the peace

that passes all understanding

the everlasting Sabbath...

Shalom!

-Ann Weems

Perspective

In light of recent events and media coverage I ask that we join with a modern day prophet in our response.

‎"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" MLK, J