Ordinary Time

Rev. Kathi's Message

I like puzzles. I think I have mentioned that in this space before. It isn't a huge surprise to anyone who knows me. I like many kinds of puzzles: sudokus, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, even mystery novels.

 

        What I don't like, however, is missing pieces.

 

        A whodunit novel with plot gaps or that tries too hard will just annoy me. A jigsaw with missing pieces is, to me, just waiting to be upcycled or recycled. (This summer I had a puzzle with an unintentional *extra* piece... and still feel sorry for the person whose puzzle came incomplete!)

 

        And crosswords - well. Sometimes I get crosswords that come from other publications and some of the clues are dropped. As much as 5% of the clues: absent.

 

        Sure, I could try to put together what the puzzle was meant to be from the other words, but that's not the point. Without the actual clues, I could not properly complete the puzzle. Frustrating, to say the least, and with the possibility of becoming quite a mess.

 

        But isn’t it true that we do just that in our relationships: we put things together from our best guess, without actually having the necessary information. We fill in the gaps as we would have them, but maybe not as they are intended. And in doing so, even with the best of intentions, our inaccuracies can inadvertently create a mess.

 

        As I interact with people, one of the things I am going to try to say a bit more often is "Can you tell me more about that?" It's a phrase that I think will help to give me more information about a scenario, so that I'm less likely to fill in the gaps with my own suppositions. It could be incredibly helpful as I continue to learn about people and traditions, and as we work together in our shared ministry. I hope it will help to minimize the guessing, to reduce the chance of my own projection, and to better collaborate in whatever desired outcome is being sought. It shifts a puzzle into an understanding.

 

        I like puzzles, but not with missing clues; and as relationships function best with clarity and clear communication, "Can you tell me more about that?" is a very helpful tool.

 

Kathi

 

Knowing Ourselves



This Sunday, the Concgregational Growth committee will tell us about two more core values or strengths of EMUC. We will hear about: Helping Others and Connection and Friendship, and what these values entail.

Going forward, the committee needs your continued help. On Sunday, February 2, 2020 there will be a Table Talk after the service. The question that will be asked is:

“Think of a friend, neighbour or a person who doesn’t go to church and has a need that the church can fill; e.g., a person seeking friendship or community, or someone wanting to volunteer, or someone eager to grow in faith. Considering our four strengths/core values, what would you tell that person about EMUC and what would you say to invite them to the EMUC?”

Think about it! Save the date and plan to be there for interesting conversation!

Chancel Choir

For more than 25 years the Chancel Choir has been sitting in the Loft for almost every service and enriching our worship with beautiful anthems. In this Epiphany season we are trying something new; for one Sunday each month (usually the third Sunday), the members of the choir will have the opportunity to sit with the congregation and join them in worship. We hope that this will give them the time to feel more integrated with the congregation, and to be able to appreciate the sermons more fully. My hope is that, knowing that membership in the Chancel Choir will require a little less commitment and stress, more of the congregation will be encouraged to try coming out to Thursday evening practices and singing with us. Please remember that no great knowledge of formal music theory is needed, just an interest in the joy of singing.

 

Opening up one Sunday a month also gives us the opportunity to have more special musical events such as guest musicians, small ensembles or soloists performing in our services. I look forward to more inspiring and uplifting music at E.M.U.C.

Len Feldman