TASTE & SEE: The Rector's Musings

Gathering | Upholding | Sending

One of the few things I still remember from my Reformed Theology classes back in seminary was the acronym G.U.S., which stands for Gathering, Upholding and Sending, a threefold theme describing Jesus' earthly ministry.  The theme was first coined and popularized by the Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth.  The professor teaching the class was a dedicated Barthian and he drilled the acronym into my theological consciousness deeply to this day.  I have appreciated how this threefold theme captures Jesus' mission succinctly when I am in a situation to share/explain my faith to someone else.  It is a much more helpful framework to talk about Jesus than "Jesus died for your sins," the simplistic go-to phrase used by many evangelical Christians of my days.  

Another more geeky reason why I like G.U.S. is that Gathering | Upholding | Sending are exactly how (small "c") catholic worship we have known and loved as the Holy Eucharist is shaped.  I called them the Three Movements of Sunday Worship.  First, we are gathered by Christ as a community [yeah, we are no longer alone!] to offer our worship to God who loves us and the whole creation into existence.  Second, we are upheld/transformed by God's divine Word and the Sacraments.  Finally, we are sent by Christ into God's beloved world to live as visible signs of the love and restorative actions of God. Who wouldn't want a piece of that?

As I contemplate a theme for my St. Dunstan's family for 2025, the word (RE)GATHERING begins to emerge.  Here are a few things I have observed during my first three months among you:

• the people of St. Dunstan's are vibrant, joyful, creative and resilient;
• there is a common feeling of being adrift after a 13-month-long period without a rector;
• there is an eagerness to (re)engage with a common vision and common purposes;
• the community is still in mourning for the death of long-time key members in the last few months;
• some volunteers/leaders who stepped up over the interim period are feeling somewhat tired and exhausted.

After a period of discernment, I am inviting you as your new Rector to prayerfully enter into a Year of (Re)Gathering.  I invite you to join me and one another to journey through the transformative way of Christ over Jesus' threefold mission of Gathering | Upholding | Sending in the next three years (2025-2027).  Over the next couple of weeks,  I will unpack our 2025 theme through this weekly blog and during Sunday worship.  I will begin working with the Parish Council to draft a Mission Plan and Budget for the coming year so that every ministry and program of St. Dunstan's has opportunities and resources to engage in (re)gathering.  We shall formally launch the Year of (Re)Gathering at our Annual Vestry Meeting on Sunday, February 23.  Please mark your calendar and make plans to be there. 

Thank you to those of you who responded to my blog on watershed last week by email.  To offer another way for those of you who desire to join in the conversation, the comment feature of blog posts has now been enabled.  Feel free to share your thoughts (even when you disagree with me).  Basic common courtesy and respectful language are expected without saying.

I also would love to highlight two things this coming week:  

Langley Meals on Wheels runs a Food and Friends program twice a month for 55+ and the next one will be at St. Dunstan's this coming Thursday.  A great program that features interesting speakers each time.  See the event listing included in the newsletter for more information.

For lovers of mid-week Eucharist, I have started an experimental offering of a Contemplative Eucharist following the Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina on Friday.  What to expect in a Contemplative Eucharist?  We shall celebrate the Lord's Supper in an intimate and reflective setting with simple chants and openings to pray in silence. Come at 11:30 am every Friday for the full-meal-deal, or arrive at 12 noon for the Lectio and Eucharist.  And visit the beautiful labyrinth on your way out to complete a perfect day.

Lastly, to help parishioners and users of the church find out what activities are using what space at what time during the week, the office will now start posting a weekly facility use schedule on the notice board on the left when you enter through the front doors.  

See you on Sunday or next week!