TASTE & SEE: The Rector's Musings

Life was too full last week for a blog post and seasonal illness kept me from sharing one sooner.  My Canadian apologies!

I introduced the (Re) gathering theme in my January 25 post [i.e. WHY (re) gather] and ponder on The Theology of Place in my last post on February 1 [i.e. WHERE we are (re)gathering].  Let's look at the WHOs this week and HOW the following. 

WHO is the (re) gatherer?  The answer may seem obvious - Jesus Christ our Lord.  Our readings from the Gospel of Luke these past few Sundays gave us a taste of how Jesus made his rounds among various Galilean towns and villages to gather those who were hungry for good news about the Kingdom of God.   St. Paul in his letter to the church in Colossae pointed out that the gathering mission of Christ was not limited to the historical gathering by Jesus of Nazareth:

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1.19)

This Cosmic Christ who "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (v. 15) and in whom "all things have been created through him and for him," (v. 16) is destined to gather not just the human species, but "all things" in creation into the loving purpose of the Creator.  

WHO is being gathered?  The Gospels were in agreement that those gathered by Jesus were dispirited fishermen, women and children, people whose lives were bound by diseases and illness, and social outcasts cut off from everyday community life.  In the Book of Acts, the gathering mission expanded outward to include you and me, i.e. Gentiles who are outsiders of the Covenant of the God of Israel.  And if we take Paul's mystical understanding of the Cosmic Christ seriously, every living species and every matter throughout the Universe falls within this gathering mission of Christ.  

As we ponder the (re)gathering mission of this parish church in Aldergrove to (re)gather in the name of Christ, we remember in particular:

Invitation for re-gathering:

• parishioners who found themselves adrift during the 13-month leadership transition and the pandemic years;
• homebound parishioners who are no longer able to participate in the life of the parish in person;
• children and families in the parish who are feeling overstretched or overwhelmed with competing options.

Invitation for gathering:

• those who are "the poor in spirit" in the here and now (let's ponder who they are);
• guests who meet at St. Dunstan's for other activities (e.g. ESL classes, takeout meals, recovery group meetings, etc.);
• individuals and families who are new to our growing municipalities;
• other Christians and seekers who year for
  • time-tested spiritual practices that help find their centre to engage in a challenging world;
  • an affirming faith community that actively works to eliminate all forms of discrimination and prejudice within and in the wider world; 
  • a faith community that values inquiries, doubts, beauty, and creativity.

Who is missing from my list of pondering?  Who would you add to the (re)gathering mission of St. Dunstan's in 2025 and beyond?  You are welcome to share it in the comment section or talk/email me in private.  

Until next time.