HELLO!

To demonstrate people read my blog, I received this response to last night’s offering: “I would like to attend Berwick camp on July 31^st, but I'm not comfortable driving there and back by myself.” Louise is new to Woodlawn. We go back to the 90’s when she was in the choir and I was the minister at Fairview United Church. It is a small world. Let me know if you plan to go to Berwick Friday, July 31^st and have room for Louise.

At Berwick Camp this Sunday (July 26^th) Bethe will baptize two children as minister of Woodlawn United Church. They are; Carlyle Augustus Allen Webb (parents Lisa & Gus) and Winnifred “Winnie” Elizabeth Allen (parents Emily & Nicholas). We celebrate this Sacrament with them!

Turning to our service on Sunday at 10 am (July 26^th) we will focus on the well-known words of the Apostle Paul, Romans 8:26-39. I believe these verses preach themselves because, for most of us, in our weakness, the Spirit of God helps us. In our lowest moments, when we don’t even know what to say to God, all is not lost, because the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. And that gives us hope. Because for those who love God, like you and me, for those who have 1% faith as small as a mustard seed, like all of us sometimes and some of us all the time, through us, God is working things together for good. Weaving goodness into a new future.

This phrase “We know that all things work together for good” is one of the most misused phrases in all of scripture. The phrase is used to placate someone who’s going through a rough spot. “Just bear with it…God’s working all things together for good.” That’s an insulting dismissal of pain and suffering. It’s better to say nothing. No, the feeling I get from Paul’s words is that God is at work for good through the people who love God, and who discern God’s purposes are happening through them. And the future being woven together with God using imperfect people like us is always a work in progress. Weaving the future with God means it is woven but not fully woven yet. It’s in the works with God working for good through us. We as people of faith are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. So, with God’s help, make it a good future by weaving in all part of ourselves and our past. And then, with God’s presence and guidance, we become God’s agents of change for good in the world. And God, the Weaver, weaves our lives into a fine tapestry.

Peace, Kevin