Heart moments on Monday...

 Our worship this morning focused on recognizing and celebrating the presence of God in a wide variety of ways in the world all around us.  The liturgy itself was provocative and inspirational - and felt very Spirit-filled.  Just as we were about to begin the business of the day, our Moderator invited one of the ecumenical guests from the Presbyterian church, who lives in Toronto, to come and offer a prayer in response to the tragic shooting in the Greek neighbourhood of Toronto - near what's called The Danforth.  It was, again, a moving prayer that put to words our collective grief.  This picture is of our music team who then led us in singing A Hymn of Lament - it touched my heart deeply.  I am grateful for our music team who are so very capable at picking the right piece for the right moment.

Our first piece of "business" was a listening session where we heard presentations inviting us to contemplate what it truly means to work towards becoming an intercultural church.  I took a couple of screen shots of my friends & colleagues who happened to be presenting some of the Petitions - Yoon Ok was a classmate of mine - Tricia Gerhard is the minister who is now at Sunset United Church in Regina - my former congregation:

 Much of our time today was spent either in breakout "listening groups:

 Or in the full plenary listening to people respond to issues at the mike:

Rev. Jordan Cantwell, from Saskatoon, has been the Moderator for the past 3 years.  Each Moderator has their own unique gifts and skills to offer the church, and has their own priorities for the time that they are Moderator.  A huge part of Jordan's outreach has been built around the Truth and Reconciliation report and the Calls to the Church.  After her "goodbye" speech, and a long and warm standing ovation she received, there were a few people who thanked her for specific gifts she had offered.  By far the most moving was from a young indigenous woman - likely about 15 or 16 years old.  She began by saying she wouldn't say much because she was very nervous talking at the mike but she just wanted to say thank you - and then she started crying - which of course made many of us start crying!  And she said - "thank you so much for all you have done for my people.  You have shown me, as no one else could, that not everyone in this world is a bad person.  You have truly given me hope, that I can be part of the change - and that people do really want to hear what I have to say.  But most of all - thank you for what you have done for my people."  This is a picture of Jordan as she and Elder Grafton Antone celebrated communion with us yesterday.

At my table group there are two indigenous men - they don't say much - but when they have something to say it is well worth the wait.  This is Jimmy - who teared up along with me when that young woman was speaking.  The other man - Jim - writes very few notes in his book, but the one word I saw him write down after she spoke was "hope".  Very, very moving!

 There are 10 nominees for Moderator this year, and we have now heard all 10 of them speak.  Elections will happen on Thursday.  It is quite something to hear the variety of perspectives and theologies - it definitely will not be an easy decision.  These are just 2 of the screen shots I took - mostly cause I realized if I wanted any pictures for my blog I better get at it!  It will be fascinating to see how this all plays out!  I am ever so grateful to be here as we continue to live into the realities of what it means to be the church in today's context.  I am glad that there are such a gifted group of people who are stepping forward to offer themselves as potential leaders as we move forward. May we continue to listen well..and to choose well!