“Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12: 21
Hello everyone on this bright frosty winter’s day!
Ministry is about teaching and leading. This week I listened as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington ministered to none other than the newly inaugurated President of the United States Donald Trump. And he didn’t take it well. Bishop Mariann Budde, making direct eye contact with President Trump, beseeched him to broaden his characterization of the immigrant people in the United States. “The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” said Bishop Budde. Her entire courageous sermon was a plea for unity within the country. She was like a prophet of old speaking out against the powers to be in a respectful but audacious manner. She was speaking out directly to injustice and pleading instead for mercy. Speaking directly to the President she called for more compassion, humility, kindness and honouring the inherent worth and dignity of every single person. Needless to say, the Bishop was subject to a lot of resistance and backlash- even the President lashed out against the Bishop saying “she is not even good at her job.” To those who lashed out on social media after Bishop Budde spoke, her response was “we need to respectfully listen to one to hear one another’s views. “We don’t have to go to contempt when it comes to disagreement.” In other words, she’s saying, we don’t have to be mean and nasty towards one another when we don’t agree with each other. A brave and courageous voice in a time of uncertainty and polarization. Thank you, Bishop Budde. In an interview following the service, she was asked what the role of the church is at this moment in time. “We have to take the teachings of our faith and live them out. We have to welcome the stranger, to love as we have been loved, be compassionate and to live that out in real terms with real people in our community ministering for the common good.” I believe these are hopeful words we can all hear- in the States or here in Huntsville, to help us navigate these politically challenging times. In the poignant words of Martin Luther King Jr. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Like Bishop Budde, let’s be brave and shine our light into all the dark and hurting places in our lives and families.
In our Prayer Corner this week: Please keep Donna De Vouge in your prayers- a recent scan shows her cancer has spread; David and Thelma Beaudry, Rick and Sandra Wearing- Jim Miller – happy to say he’s doing much better and may be back in Huntsville early next week- Doris Monahan- thyroid removed- she’s improving daily. However, radiation treatments in our future to ensure the cancer stays at bay. Dessie Marie, Kanue’s fiancé, as she awaits more tests for her mystery illness. If you have any prayer requests, please let me know and I will include them in our community prayers on Sunday morning.
Don’t forget this Sunday is Bring a Friend to Church Sunday! We invite people to lunch or to a movie- why not invite them for some music, prayer and food for their soul? Thank you to our Coffee hosts MaryAnn and Jamie Mitchell on this Friendship Sunday. Don’t forget your package of rice for the local food bank- this is the last week.
I will be visiting Muskoka Traditions for our monthly chapel service this coming Monday at 2: 30pm. Katrina wanted to switch it up for this month only. I will be at Fairvern on Thursday at 10: 30 am as usual.
Wanted! We are looking for a team leader to co-lead the Communications and Technology team- if this is something you would like to do- please reach out to myself or Alastair Dunlop or Lynda Arnold.
Book Club this Tuesday 10 am- Conversations around Martha Beck’s book called The Way to Integrity. All are welcome. Every Tuesday for the next three weeks.
Team Leaders and Board Directors- Meeting this coming Wednesday at 10.
And the final call for those reports for our annual report- Lynda Arnold is waiting!
Mark your calendars coming up: Spaghetti Dinner and Art Auction on Saturday February 15th at 5: 30 pm here in Trinity Hall- Make a date with your Valentine!
As we move into our weekend ahead, I will leave you with some words from Ecclesiastes on the value of a friend in keeping with our Friendship Sunday this coming Sunday.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift the other; but woe to the one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”
In other words, we are always better and stronger together!
In Friendship and faithfully yours,
Rev. Diane