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Dear Friends in Valhalla Parish—

It was nearly two months ago, just in time for Ash Wednesday that we moved the furniture at St. David's. For the season of Lent, we placed the altar at the centre of the community. From the beginning I said two things about this process:

1) It would be temporary
2) It would probably be disorienting

Both remain true. This move is temporary, and I know from a variety of good conversations with folks that it has been disorienting for some. The reorientation of our liturgitcal space has caused us to ask a variety of questions: questions about what we value, about what is important to us as a community, and also how we might both proclaim and embody the Good News we meet in Jesus.

Our liturgical space shifted our gaze for a time. While we still had the altar as a focal point, we also had an opportunity to look across the aisle and see others. This impacted the ways in which we prayed the psalm and sung together, amongst other things. Throughout Lent, we explored the ways in which our relationship to space impact our relationships with others—whether those we've known for a long time, or those who we are just getting to know.

In some ways, we have felt what it is to be new to something that once seemed familiar. We came to church with a newcomer's eyes. Thinking back on this experience, I wonder what it taught us. 

This Sunday, during the service, we will talk about these things through these questions:

  • What elements did you appreciate or like about this orientation?
  • What elements did you find challenging about this orientation?
  • What has this experience taught you about who we are now, as a community centered on Christ?
  • What might we learn from this experience as we discern our congregation's orientation to Christ and participation in Christ's mission in the days to come?

This Sunday our reading from the Book of Acts helps us to focus on the early church's proclamation of God's Dream for the world. Togehter we will look at this dream, this good news, this vision of human flourishing and the common good. Peter—the very one who denied Jesus—is proclaiming the good news, having gone through deep disorientation at the death and resurrection of his friend, but somehow emerging changed. Re-energized. Renewed in his faith and his sense of urgency about Jesus' vision of God's future.

Having experienced God's gift of Resurrection, Peter is bold to invite the masses to join the Jesus movement.

When the early church proclaims and embodies the gospel, people join the movement. As people respond to this invitation, the shape of the church is changed in ways Peter and his contemporaries can't yet imagine. As people come and go from community, change inevitably comes—whether we're ready for it not. And yet, as Jesus appears to the disciples after his glorious resurrection, what does he say?

Be not afraid. I am with you. I will remain with you. Put your trust in me, for I have already put my trust in you. I have put my life in your hands. So bear witness to all that you have seen, all you have experienced. Bear witness to the God who brings liberation and healing, connection and peace. Bear witness to the God who brings abundant life right now, and who will bring abundant life in the age to come. Beat witness with your hearts. Bear witness in your song. Bear witness in how you live your lives, in how you treat each other, in how you welcome the stranger.

Bear witness to the God of impossible resurrection, for the one who raised Jesus can (and will!) raise his church to new life whether we're ready for it or not.