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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.
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Many of you met Chloe, my new rescue dog, at last Sunday’s worship service. And no, Chloe, as a 6 lb Chihuahua, will not be rescuing people with a little brandy cask under her chin. She has been rescued by me!
What you may not know is that on Sunday afternoon I headed to Peterborough to pick up Jewel, a 12 lb Yorkie-Poo, another rescue dog. What was my mother’s response to these two new family members? “You are crazy!”
Yes, craziness is certainly an element of my life. However, after our beloved Cocker Spaniel, Maggie, died last March, I missed the sound of dog toe nails on our wood floor. I mourned the absence of dog-lick kisses when I arrived home. On one hand our life was freer to come and go without building dog walks into our day. On the other hand, life in any kind of relationships whether dog, human, or other, is just plain complicated. And yet such complication holds possibilities of great joy.
Christian discipleship is similar. Our lives could be much freer without investing in compassion, justice, and love. Being in relationship with God, humanity, and all creation is just plain complicated yet holds possibilities for great joy.
Last Sunday and for the next two weeks we are exploring chapter 25 of Matthew’s gospel. Although much of the text talks about judgment, a purely Matthew concept, we do hear Jesus’ voice calling us to be in loving relationship with one another. And in responding to that call to relationship, most of the world will say, “You are crazy!” And yes we are crazy—mad with possibility, passionate for justice, idiotic with hope, foolish with grace—crazy lovers of God.
Shalom, Abigail
For our newsletter Heartbeat, click /Content/10457/Nov 13 HB.pdf
Or, check out Heartbeat on our web site: www.beachunitedchurch.com
Look for the blue wave.
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