Let's Talk day

On January 28th, Bell Canada sponsors "Let's Talk" day. This is a national campaign to help raise awareness about mental health and to end the stigma attached to it. I have both family and friends who have suffered from mental health issues and I believe that it is important for us to be open about this. We do not help anyone by keeping silent about these diseases and conditions.

There is a stigma in our society about people with mental health issues and that stigma extends into the church. Jesus teaches us that all are welcome in the kingdom of God and we need to remember that Great Physician came to heal all those who are sick whether that is in body, mind, or soul. (Mark 2:17) Our call is to be welcoming to all people just as Jesus reached out to us. 

But what does this type of welcome look like? As I have been reading about how the church has dealt with mental health issues, I am saddened to learn that we have not followed Jesus’ teaching in many ways.  While there is no catchy phrase or slogan that captures how to deal with such complex issues in our congregations, we can certainly start by looking at how Jesus dealt with others. 

Jesus was compassionate and welcoming.  He also wept and grieved.  Jesus accepted people for who they were and loved them deeply.

We can at least start there...

Yours in Christ, Emma.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

6 months and counting...

Today marks the 6 month anniversary of my induction at Knox Presbyterian Church in Burlington and what a ride it’s been!  I feel blessed in so many ways and praise God for calling me to this place! 

By the numbers, I have…

·        Lead 28 worship services (including 2 on Christmas Eve)

·        Officiated at 9 funerals for members of the congregation

·        Welcomed 3 new members

·        Conducted 2 baptisms

·        And…attended lots of meetings!!

But ministry isn’t about numbers.  It’s about growing in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ and learning to listen for his Spirit in our lives.  It’s about building relationships with others and growing together as a community of faith.  It’s about sharing the joy that only God can give.

I have learned so much in the past 6 months and I know that I have so much more to learn.  And maybe – just maybe - a few of you have learned something from me. 

As we continue to grow together, it is my hope and prayer that we will be open to follow God wherever he calls us to go.   

Yours in Christ, Emma.

While physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way,

holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:8

Poem - The Work of Christmas

At the end of my sermon this morning, I shared this poem with the congregation by Howard Thurman and it is called "The Work of Christmas."  It reminds us that we are called to act on the message of Christ's birth all year, not just at Christmas. 

"When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.”

Amen!

Yours in Christ, Emma.

 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 

For darkness shall over the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.  Isaiah 60:1-2

 

Blessings for the New Year

I have spent the past hour writing a brief letter to my family in Germany - in German.  There was a time when I was fluent in German, but when you don't use your second language regularly, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the words out! In this letter, I give an update on the members of my immediate family and talk about my new life at Knox Presbyterian Church in Burlington.  I feel truly blessed me to be with you and that God has sent me to the right place at the right time!  I am excited about the future and look forward to see what God has planned for us in 2014 and beyond!

I wish you all of God's richest blessings for the coming year.  Yours in Christ, Emma.

I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?  

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2