February 01, 2009
Week of Prayer
Patrick Preheim - The Body
The body is one and has many members. We all have a function in the body of
Christ-- be we individuals or denominations or even faith traditions. It is a
challenge to think about one’s abilities and how each of us fit into the body of
Christ. In general most Christians shy from acknowledgement of our gifts because
we don’t want to appear as if we are boasting. Mennonites suffer acutely from
this false piety. God has been gracious and endowed us all with talents. We do
not honour our creator if we do not honour our gifts. With this truth in mind I
set about considering my role in the body.
I see myself as a muscle, maybe in the biceps or quadriceps. I am not the heart
muscle, which contracts some 70 times per minute pumping about 5 liters of blood
each minute. That is the role of Christ. But I, other muscles, and the body
respond to this life giving blood. The biceps and quadriceps are visible parts
of the body, and I too feel a visible part of the body’s physic. I am, however,
nothing without the blood of Christ, the ligaments around me, and the frame
which supports me. I gain strength through exercise and training; I atrophy when
unused. I am designed to do heavy lifting for the body of Christ, but I need to
be careful not to overdo it. I should not try to grow out of proportion with the
body and I should not try and do more than what I am equipped to do. Nutana Park
Mennonite Church is the frame on which this muscle is growing, and I will give a
few remarks about it as well.
Nutana Park Mennonite Church is a 43 year old bone in the body of Christ which
anchors me and other body parts. Nutana Mennonite had its beginnings in mid 1963
when First Mennonite decided to build a church on the east side of Saskatoon.
Edward Enns, First Mennonite pastor, writing in the April 1965 Newsletter of 1st
Mennonite clarified the basis for the re-organization into the two
congregations. “We will separate in a non-traditional manner. Not because of
internal strife, or cliquishness; not on the basis of age or difference of
purpose; but because of a unity of purpose....[our] witness will broaden and
call out even more into the fellowship of the church...The ‘essence’ dare never
change, for it must remain that which gives witness to the redemptive work of
Christ for the individual and for society!”
A muscle needs strong bones to do its work. A bone must be surrounded by other
strong bones to do its work. We all rely upon the heart of the body, that is
Christ Jesus, to circulate blood and oxygen. This divine blood activates us for
action in the world: lifting burdens, finding the lost, feeding the hungry. May
God be glorified in and through the body.
Michael Webster – The Elbow
Today we are talking about being the body of Christ in the world, and we have
each been asked to pick a body part that says something about ourselves and our
denomination. I have chosen one of what Paul might call the “less honourable”
members – the elbow. The elbow, of course, is a joint consisting of three bones
– the ulna, the radius and the humerus. It goes without saying that the funny
bone is part of the humerus.
As the elbow is a joint of three bones, so the United Church is the joining of
three denominations. It was in 1925 that the Methodist, Congregational and most
of the Presbyterian Churches in Canada joined to become the United Church of
Canada. I’ll leave it to you to decide which one was the funny bone.
If you were to ask my wife, Debbie, “What is the purpose of the elbow?” she
would tell you it’s to keep me in line. When I say something she thinks I
shouldn’t, oof, I get an elbow in the ribs. Debbie is a wonderful person, but
she has the pointiest elbows in the world. I think it’s fair to say that part of
the role of the United Church is to be a pointy elbow – to give government or
society a poke in the ribs when they need a reminder to honour human worth or to
value God’s creation.
Jesus called us to be servants of one another. When I was a cub scout, I was
taught to help someone across the street by offering them my elbow. That still
seems to me to be a valid image of servanthood – to be Christ’s elbow in the
world, offered to those in need of support.
Lastly, when people want to stand firm, we lock elbows. It’s a source of
strength through mutual support. And so we stand together with our Mennonite
partners, elbow to elbow, together the body of Christ.
Part of the Body of Christ – Reflection – Debra
This little piggy goes to Market
This little piggy stays home.
This little piggy had roast beef
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home.
I chose the toes.
As parent I remember with great fondness those delightful moments when I held
the sweet, tender, feet of my little boys and gentle pulled each one of their
cubby little toes - reciting this silly little rhyme. I cherish those moments of
profound vulnerability and deep connection experienced as we repeated those
silly words together. I savor the joy we shared as together we anticipated the
wee- wee- wee and the giggles and tickles that followed. Perhaps you too recall
with fondness such moments - moments so full of love and joy that you knew in
your heart you had touched God.
It has been my privilege over the past 7 year to be responsible for ministry
with children at St. M’s. And just like as a parent, I have been blessed by
moments of deep connection and profound joy. Those moment of deep connection and
profound joy – of God so close - have come in the midst of coloring sheets and
story time, in playing silly games and singing at the top of my lungs, in
sitting quietly in prayer and watching a candle flicker, in the moist eye of a
child and in the knock you over hug of a youth.
Here at St. Martin’s care and nurture of children is a significant part of our
history. In the late 1950’s United Church parents in this rapidly growing area
of the city felt the need for a Sunday School. On March 2, 1957 a church school
was established with 134 students and worship services began shortly there
after. In March of 1959 a financial campaign was started with the view to
building a United Church. The first worship service, in the newly constructed
“multifunctional” building was held September 1960. And the rest as they say is
history. Our roots are planted firmly in the desire to Minister with children.
The relationship we share as Nutana Park Mennonite and St. Marten’s United has
grown and deepened because of our mutual commitment to ministry with children.
Years ago our communities came together to develop a Vacation Bible School
ministry. We have planned, taught, learned, laughed, worshiped and played
together and this experience has blessed us both. This past year your energy was
directed in a new way and we were not able to share VBS. Ministry with children
is changing and evolving for both of us and I pray that together we will find
new ways to work together to nurture and care for the children in our midst
A doctor once explained to me that if you significantly injure a toe or lose a
toe altogether it throws the whole process of walking off balance. I believe
that if we ignore the needs of children and the prophetic voice of children in
our communities then we will indeed be thrown of balance and our walk with God
will become distorted. Toes are short and long, colored and plain, they are
sometimes set free for all to see and sometimes hidden by layers of socks and
shoes. Our children are unique in every way, tall and short, bright and gentle,
they are outgoing and shy - and they keep us balanced. In fact, if we believe
the words of Jesus – they are leading us and showing us the very Kingdom of God.
I look forward to continuing our journey together. I am excited to discover
where our children will lead us. I am eager to share those moment of deep
connection and profound joy with you – those moment when we know we have touched
God and God has touched us.
The Voice - Lynn Driedger
As the Music Minister at Nutana Park, I feel drawn to visualize myself as the
singing voice, for I have been singing as long as I can remember. My earliest
memories of church services are sitting with my father on the men's side of
Hanley Mennonite Church, and learning to read music and sing the bass and tenor
lines by listening to him.
I wish to make three points about music in general, and singing in particular.
First, singing is used to reinforce different acts of worship. It reflects and
restates scripture; it is our statement of faith and confession of sin; it is
prayer; it is even a sermon. Indeed, singing can be used to replace any or all
of these worship components.
Secondly, music also opens up communication. As we sing, or follow along while
others sing, we tell God our praises, our cares, our sins, our faith. God in
turn, tells us that we are loved, cared for, supported, encouraged. We also hear
others singing around us, and lines of communication are established between us
and them; we are united in the common act of worship.
And third, the voice is not an entity unto itself. It is a combination of several body parts; the diaphragm and lungs push the air; the larynx, tongue, teeth and lips shape the air into word sounds; and the nasal cavities and mouth help produce a pleasing tone. But it well goes beyond that. The eyes and mind are required to understand the symbols of music; the arms are needed to hold the sheet music; the muscles put the body in a good singing position. Even the elbow is occasionally used (in choir rehearsal only, mind you!) by a fellow tenor to remind me that, no, I'm not supposed to breathe there.
So, the voice, or music in general, has these three aspects. It is dependent
on the rest of the body to perform its function, as we are dependent upon the
body of the church to do our work in God's kingdom. The singing voice is used to
expand on, and sometimes even to replace, the other components of worship. And
singing opens up communication lines between us and God, and among fellow
worshippers.
As we continue to use music as a part of worship, let us grow appreciative of
the voices and songs of others. May those who sing, and those who choose to
listen and sing silently, use their talents boldly and uncensored as together we
worship God.
Keith - Hands….
Author Alexander Irving, in his book My Lady of the Chimney Corner, told of his
mother, Anna. She was one of those humble Christians who took on everyone’s
burdens as if they were her very own. One day a neighbor lady came to see her.
It was obvious the lady was in deep distress. She said to Anna, “I can’t make it
through the day, Anna, unless I receive a fresh touch of God.” Anna suggested
that they pray. They knelt side-by-side and began to pray together. As they did
so, Anna reached out her hand and placed it on the woman’s head. In a few
minutes, as they concluded their prayer, Anna asked, “Did God touch you?” The
woman replied, “Oh, yes, Anna. I felt God’s hand—but it felt strangely like your
hand.”Anna quickly responded, “It was my hand, but it was God’s hand too.
Sometimes God takes the hand of a minister; sometimes God takes the hand of a
surgeon; and sometimes God takes the hand of a poor old creature like me. It was
my hand, but it was God’s hand, too!”
What a powerful truth that is! Our hands, God’s hands. Our voice, God’s voice. Our love, God’s love. Our touch, God’s touch. Instruments of God’s grace. That’s what we all are!
I have been in Designated Lay ministry at St. Martin’s for seven years and in that time it has been my honor to offer my hand and in turn receive the hand of God from many through my work with youth and young adults, Christian Education and pastoral care. This hand has been offered through the process of welcoming new members to our congregation, encouraging and modeling the inclusivity that our United Church values so highly, in caring for those in need and in crisis, in creating opportunities for individuals to learn more about their faith through educational opportunities, camps and retreats and last but not least, in high fives with the youth and young adults of our church as they explore and experience their spiritual journey.
As a church the hand of hospitality and respect has also been offered to our partners at NPM church to whom we have had a long standing and enduring relationship of mutuality and discovery. Working together has helped us to celebrate our similarities and our differences and to join hands in prayer, quiet time, meals, fun and worship. Thanks be to God for that.
No matter what church we work in, God is at work. We will all be ministering
to and receiving ministry from many people this week. Some may need a fresh
touch from God. We may be the very person who supplies that touch. Some will
encounter God because of something we say or do. Others may discover that God
has given them gifts to proclaim, serve, teach, encourage, contribute, lead, and
show mercy to others. We are indeed blessed.
Youth Ministry as an eye – Wendy Harder
This church saw a need 15 years ago to nurture their young people in a specific
way and they continue to be very supportive of our youth ministry program. What
if youth ministry could be compared with an eye?
Eyes are very complex. They can detect depth. They can see things close up or
far away. They can also detect light and darkness. It is this contrast between
light and darkness that I want to focus on. Matthew 5: 16 says “In the same way,
let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father in heaven.” If our eyes are drawn to the light, we
also look for light in others. We look for the good in others and praise God for
what we see.
If I were an eye, what would I see? I would see the potential that is in each
one of our youth. I would see past the surface stuff in how they present
themselves with piercings or baggy jeans or dark make-up. Youth are so much more
then what is shown on the outside. They have dreams and goals. They have
compassion and they feel deeply. We are called to see Christ’s light in them.
If I were an eye, what would I see? I want to see a church that cares for their
young people. We want to feed the ideals and the enthusiasm that the youth
bring. But just like body parts, the youth can not function without the rest of
the church. We need the nurturing and guidance of each other. We learn together
as a church with all ages present.
If I were an eye, what would I see? It is important to know that we are not just
one church operating in the city. It is good to know that our pastoral teams
meet to share and learn from one other, we are so much more then just what our
church name is. We see the face of God in our neighbour. We learn and discern
together in gleaning the knowledge of being light to show the glory of God.
Anita - Arms of the church
Nutana Park Mennonite Church has been strengthened over the last decade by the
strong arms of St. Martin’s United Church. Our congregations are both lithe and
vital arms of the Christian body. We share many things in common including a
love of God that translates into social action and a desire for justice. Our
congregations may go about this ministry somewhat differently; Mennonites have a
strong emphasis on peace. The United Church facilitates many pressing social
conversations and implements their mission through service to those whom society
abandons.
Together, as arms working in concert, we hold close to our hearts the love we have for each other and whole Body of Christ. We support all the hands in our congregations as we extend our reach to a world that desires meaningful relationships and joy in life. Since our culture tends to dictate lifestyles that can be rather empty and surface we, as two distinct arms of the church, will continue to offer the message that the love of Christ provides a solid centre for us: that joy comes from our deep connections to other people.
I have been a part of the pastoral team here at Nutana Park for 15 years and have watched St. Martin’s go through leadership changes and transformation in their Sunday services, from one service to two vibrant and meaningful worship experiences. We have visited each other’s congregations over the last ten years with pulpit exchanges, pastoral team retreats, even a shared board meeting and have cemented a firm and important relationship with each other.
As arms we are flexible and have a wide range of motion by which we can do a
lot of things separately and together. We hold each other in prayer, kind of
like a big hug, and we at Nutana Park thank God for our good friends at St.
Martin’s.