Terry Paul Choyce
June 10, 2007, Brunswick Street United Church
Last week I went to Maritime Conference, which was held at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, NB. This was my first time at Conference, and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed myself, met lots of super people, and learned a lot. The theme this year was "Making Connections."
About 1000 people came. I'd say 80% of those attending were over 60, which they say is representational of the population of the United Church as a whole. These are dedicated and devout people. But many of them are no longer physically able to do what they once did. There was a general feeling that new people have to be attracted to the church, and changes must be made to help younger people feel like they belong in the church. Thus the Emerging Spirit campaign was created and is being promoted, but I did not get much of a sense that it is being utilized by most congregations as yet. People know they must change some of their practices, music, and ways of doing things, but they are reluctant to do so.
At Conference we had lots of fantastic music. Ron Klusmeier and his group of very talented women, lead much of the music. And a dynamic young woman, Jennie Wood, conducted the choir and played and sang often. We also loved the band which was part of the Youth Group, who played lots of lively, beautiful songs, some of which they wrote themselves. I was very impressed with the creativity and talent of all the musicians. And the new songs were fantastic.
Much of our music came from this new hymnal, More Voices. The United Church wants congregations to begin using this hymnal more frequently, because they think the music is more in line with what younger people want to hear, the language is inclusive, the messages are more contemporary, and generally, everyone should love the songs- if they are given the chance to learn them. Today all of our songs have been taken from this hymnal. I know learning new music can be difficult, but many of these songs are really worth singing. I plan to concentrate on a few of them over the next few months. Music is a very powerful medium for evoking emotion, raising your spirit, and learning about God's love.
We spent most of our time sitting at an assigned table. Twice a day we were encouraged to have table discussions about various topics. Most of the topics were about how our congregations are dealing with their problems, and what we can do to solve some of the issues facing our larger church. Many churches have the huge problem of having a building that is old, in bad repair, and costs a fortune to heat. Like St. Pat's, just down the street from us, many congregations are having to come to terms with the harsh reality of closing their building and merging with another congregation. This is extremely painful for everyone. But one of the women at my table is a member of a church that is made up of 3 blended churches, and she raved about how well they are doing. We are very fortunate here at Brunswick St. that our sanctuary is small and modern, and that, because we share the building with the Mission, we are in better economic shape and have more future security than most churches. This must seem ironic for those of you who lived through the threat of closure that occurred just a few years ago. Our church is a testimony to what can be done with some creative thinking, and cooperation from Presbytery, Conference, the Mission Board, and our church council and congregation. We may be small, but we are more secure and healthier than many churches. Halleluiah!
On Saturday afternoon we went to workshops. Several of the ones offered were about climate change, and how we must adapt our lifestyles to minimalise the amount of toxic waste we each produce, and how much of the earth's resources each of us uses. They showed the movie "An Inconvenient Truth," which Paul has been showing around Metro, including at St. Andrews Church last Sunday, and Bedford United on the 22nd. If you like, we could also show it here some Sunday, perhaps after a potluck lunch after a service. Talk to Paul about this.
I went to 2 workshops on Saturday. One was about a United Church program called Common Life, which brings people together in small groups, to delve deeply into their spiritual and everyday lives. There are 8 to 12 people in a group, and they each promise to meditate or pray daily, dedicate themselves to spiritual learning and growth, engage in some form of social justice work, go on a spiritual retreat once a year, and commit themselves to the well-being of their Common Life group. Each group meets at least once a month to discuss what and how they are doing. I viewed this as creating an extended family of faith. I have a few brochures if you'd like to know more.
The other workshop was on the inclusion of sacred writings from other religions in our personal reading, and our worship services. The facilitator, Marvin Anderson, came from General Council to lead this. He gave us this booklet, containing writings from the poet Rumi, the poet Kabir, the mystic Meister Eckhart, and other writers which are not normally used in United Church services. He emphasised the universal principles that are a part of all religions, and how we should embrace our similarities, and learn from our differences. I'd like to read you this short piece by Marguerite Porette, who was burned at the stake in 1310 because of her writing and beliefs. "Such a Soul, says Love, swims in the sea of joy, that is the sea of delights, flowing and running out of the Divinity. And so she feels no joy, for she is joy itself. She swims and flows in joy, without feeling any joy, for she dwells in Joy and Joy dwells in her."
During the huge service on Sunday morning, Maritime Conference ordained 3 new ministers and 6 new lay ministers. The ceremony for each of them was the same. All received a stole. I understand this is a change from previous years. No one explained why, but I assume it is because fewer people are getting ordained than in the past, so the church leadership recognises the need for lay ministers. There were more ministers retiring, than becoming ordained. Most of the lay ministers were older, and had been active in the church for many years. For them this recognition of their faith, dedication, and passion for the church was very moving.
The sermon was beautifully delivered by Nora Sanders, the new General Secretary of the General Council. Nora is a lawyer, yet she was chosen to deliver the homily, and she too wore a robe and stole. She began her talk with the journey she made in April to Jerusalem with the Moderator, Rev.David Giuliano. They were there for Palm Sunday, which was also Passover for the Jews, and was also a sacred day for the Moslems. She talked about the honouring she observed of every religion's beliefs and traditions, and the sense of rich history which united everyone there. And she talked about the "Song of Faith" which is the beautiful and poetic statement of what the United Church believes. She read "God is Holy Mystery, beyond complete knowledge, and perfect description. So God creates the universe, and with it the possibility of being and creating. We sing of God the Spirit, faithful and untameable, who is creatively and redemptively active in the world."
I cannot leave out the youth, and their gifts to Conference. There were about 130 young people there, boisterous and exciting. They put on skits for us, which were fun and profound. They sang for us and ate with us. On Saturday night I grabbed the opportunity to join in with their closing worship time. It was very moving. These young people are our future and our hope, and I think we will be in good hands. I was asked to be the youth chaplain next year, so if I am approved by the board, I will be guiding these fabulous youth in their search for faith and belonging.
The predominant message to me last weekend was not to be afraid of change, and to live with hope and faith. Jesus is our guide, and his journey was not easy or direct either. We are a huge family of faith, who needs to honour the beliefs of others, while building and cherishing our own. The United Church of Canada is compassionate, caring, and creative. It is a tool for connection for thousands of people in Canada (and Bermuda). It is like a huge Common Life group, guiding us in our devotional practices, our spiritual quests, our social justice outreach, and the nuts and bolts of keeping our church buildings together. I think our executive are very brave, innovative, devoted people who have vision for our future and capable leadership for today. I left Conference feeling optimistic, energised, and connected to my church and to my faith.
Praise be the Lord
