Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada

And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there and prophesy there."  - Amos 7.12

I was once at a Presbytery meeting in Northeast Saskatchewan and, as is the wont of United Church folk, we were discussing justice stuff. We like to talk about justice in United Church circles - in fact it is often one of the glues that bind us. And in that time - I think we were revisiting discussions around uranium, our involvement in the global trade of nuclear technology, and its impact on lives and the environment - when someone piped up and said, "Why are prophets so grumpy?" There was a pause and then laughter.

"But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves."  --James 1.22

Advent is here and I have to admit that I am feeling some melancholy. This time last year I was in Israel-Palestine with Christian Peacemaker Teams. It was easy, I am aware of the irony, in that place to be a Do-er and and Be-er at the same time. Each day began and was framed by worship that was grounded in using The Beatitudes as a way in which to experience the Holy in places that were not always easy and in which the temptation for apathy and cynicism was always present. Using our hearing of The Beatitudes made it possible to be fully present as a Do-er!

As I walk into Advent this year, however, I think James’ words might be reframed to Christians in the 21^st Century to read, “But be hearers of the word, and not merely doers who deceive themselves.” As opposed to, “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” It seems that we stand in a bit of a tension with our consumerised holiday season to be always doing something: where every moment is filled with a meeting or party to attend, a gift to buy or a charity, NGO, social justice cause to support – all this doing is bloody exhausting! Furthermore, it seems we have stopped, been tempted, distracted (however you want to frame it) to let go of the Be-er, hearers, simply Being a people of faith.

"Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone?" -Matthew 7.9

Okay, I have a need to offer confession before proceeding! First of all, I am looking at that crazy calendar that is a life in Accountable Ministry and realise I have two similar tasks that are pending. Both are sitting in my Outlook calendar and require me to write something that is reflective and, hopefully, also useful and meaningful. One is text-based, the other digital ... and I think they are similar enough that I have decided to put them together! Now, as for the second confession, it is that this ruminating piece is heavily influenced by an article from the Alban Institute that has taken hold of me with its clarity and import.[1] I hope, therefore, that the following is inspired and not plagiarised ...

We are, at UCiM, currently in our Annual Stewardship Campaign. It is a rich time - a time to review where we have been and continue to imagine where we might go. Such a time, in the church year, can be an intentional opportunity to hold up needs and realities in a way, which hopefully, highlights the year long work of discussing what Stewardship means. One of the ways we have been framing Stewardship is to think of it as ‘caring for someone else's stuff' or ‘caring for someone else's child' (yes someone = God). Part of my reflection with the Finance & Stewardship Group has been the reality that no matter how much money comes in, if we do not have clarity as to why we need it, there is no way that we will be able to inspire people to offer their time. And, without commitment, one's mission cannot be lived out. Without the people, Discipleship is simply expressed by a bank account number - not so bad as a metaphor, not so good as a gauge of living out our call.