eSpirit...weekly news from Beach United ChurchThis weekly enewsletter is sent every Friday and lists upcoming events happening at Beach United Church plus a message from one of our ministers.

week of September 25th 2011

River of Life
When you look at the Don river, close to where it enters the lake, the words "river of life" don't immediately spring to mind. As you see floating garbage that gathers in certain places and wonder what caused the strange foam-like scum to form; it is evident that some of our rivers are no-longer life-giving.

John of Patmos wrote about his dreams and revelations in the last book of the bible. He was writing at a time when the prosperity of whole nations depended on the flood cycles of the rivers.

John uses a writing style rich in symbols and imagery e.g. a great serpent, a rider on a white horse, beasts and monsters. Many of the "word pictures" are confusing and occasionally scary. On Sunday we will explore the image of "river of life" and there isn't a monster in sight!

You might be thinking that it is rather a strange way to communicate hope to fledgling Christian churches that were facing persecution. We don't use symbols and weird short-forms when we're communicating--or do we?

Do you know what these mean?
lol :-) u2 txt 2moro cul8tr
If you are confused by any of the above, ask someone younger than you!

John's writing offered hope for a future beyond persecution and pain. On Sunday we will be exploring ways that we can move forward with our ministry, with hope and confidence. We will endeavor not to talk in code! So please come and be part of decision making, as we try and be a "river of life" in our community and beyond.

Blessings, Karen

To read more news click on: /Content/10457/Sept 25 HB.pdf
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