Friday Message

What's Coming!

August 7, 2020

Ordinary Time

One of the occupational hazards of being in ministry is what is known as the “Saviour Complex,” the feeling that some of us have that we are responsible for saving the world. If you fall for it, it can make you self-focused and narcissistic. If you feel you should and you can’t, then it can leave you feeling inadequate or depressed.

Genevieve Georget, a writer from Ottawa, recently asked “What if you’re not meant to change the world? What if you can only change one person’s world?”

It has me thinking: One person isn't always enough for some people.

But in God’s economy, one is always enough.

I need to let you know, that I’ve been struggling lately. Not on a day-to-day level. But on a deep soul level.

Maybe it is all this time alone with my thoughts, but I’ve never felt more out of place in the world than I do right now and it's weighing on me.

I used to believe that my purpose was to change the world through the ripple effect of love and vulnerability and compassion. I believed that if I encouraged people to embrace their own humanity, it would help us see the humanity in others as well. I believed that our broken pieces were actually our most beautiful pieces and I believed that part of my purpose was to be a safe place for others to find their way.

I’m not so sure anymore.

Instead, I feel like I live in a world being divided up and divvied out. I live in a world that thinks shaming people into disgrace is the way to solve social injustice. I live in a world where anger and hostility are more infectious than a virus.

I live in a world sectioned off by all the lines that we've drawn in the sand.

There are days when it is exhausting trying to fight against the constant screaming that is taking up all the oxygen in the room.

“Be in it, but not of it” the Bible tells us. And it’s a verse that I’ve been clinging to so much lately as I try to navigate the grief and sadness that I feel living in our very volatile world.

I’m not here to give up trying to make a difference, though I’ve considered it more than once over the last couple of months. But I’m here because I'm reminded of the one.

I’m here because God’s currency says that one person is enough.

Even if that one person is just me.

Maybe right now I don’t need to look beyond my own heart. Maybe that’s all I’m equipped to handle right now. And maybe that’s okay.

Because maybe one heart IS the gateway to other hearts. Maybe our own heart is all we’re ever really equipped to handle at any given time.

So today I am asking that we each raise someone up.

One person. Whoever that person may be.

And maybe that one person is you.

Just please know this; if the most any of us can do right now is tend to our one tender heart…that’s enough.

One is always enough.

Love, Rev Kathi

This Week at EMUC

Although churches may now open at 30% total capacity, the Leadership Circle, at its last meeting on June 16th, made the decision that until we can be confident that it is safe to reopen the doors to our congregation, EMUC will continue with the Zoom worship services through August. This will be revisited at the Leadership Circle meeting in August.

Sunday August 9:

10:00 a.m.: Online Worship led by Rev. Kathi

Tuesday August 11:

1:30 p.m.: Nominating Committee Meeting

Wednesday August 12:

6:45 p.m.: Prayer Service via Zoom

What's Coming!

Summer Office Hours:

Tina will be in the office on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

She can be at the church on an “as needed” basis on other days, but this needs to be arranged in advance with an email or with a message left with the office.

A Bible Study:

A Zoom Bible Study group will start in August. It will be held online using Zoom. If you are interested in participating, please email Rev. Kathi at kathi@emuc.ca. More information about day and time will be available later.

A closed Facebook group:

where members of the group can 'discuss' topics is being considered. Privacy settings for the group are made so that only members of the group can receive, read and post comments. You must be on Facebook to become a member of the closed group. We will help anyone interested in participating to set up Facebook and join the group. We may start by making this an extension of the 'Sacred Connections' emails that have been sent twice per week for the past few months. By setting up a closed group, it gives people a chance to interact with one another by posting their comments and ideas for the group. If you are interested in participating in a Facebook Group or would like to help administer the group on Facebook, please email Barb Jennings, Chair of the Communications Committee at barbara_jennings@sympatico.ca to voice your interest.

Donations to EMUC

Some of you have asked how you can make donations to operations, mission and service, the benevolent fund, and the Deacon’s Cupboard. You can donate through Canada Helps by going to www.emuc.ca or by mailing a cheque to EMUC at 3010 The Collegeway, Mississauga, ON., L5L 4X9. Please mark the envelope "Attention Envelope Secretary".

Please note that Deacon's Cupboard would prefer to receive financial donations rather than actual food donations because the church remains closed so that managing food is difficult. The Cupboard is giving only vouchers to its guests. They are open only on Wednesdays and not on Monday evenings for the duration of the pandemic.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.

EMUC Finance Committee

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