We can imagine being on a small fragile boat, in stormy waters,- no match for the elements..

Just so, we can imagine ourselves feeling very small  and  fragile when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us.

The ship, or boat, has always been a common image for the church.

That’s where we get the word “nave” for the area you sit in- it’s from the Latin for ship.

There are cruise ships and ocean liners- and some churches are like that., or used to be.

Very few people know what a donnybrook is...  Its a brawl. But in one small town in eastern Ontario its an auction sale.

The Warkworth Donnybrook is a huge auction sale that's held for the benefit of the entire community.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion  is a meal with the community and God.

If you were making a toast at this meal, what would you say?

We use words all the time in the church and in WC and I wonder if we are all on the same page,

What is community to you?

All like-minded people ? Is a community closed with a fence around it like gated real estate?

Is a community self-absorbed?

Are  different welcomed?

How many  Make up a community ? Is one a community?

Can communities be evil?

What do you think?

I often speak about how people of faith provide the impetus for national discussions and dramatic shifts by appealing to heart and soul. I love recalling the leadership of, among others, William Wilberforce, Nellie McClung, Tommy Douglas, Martin Luther King Jr., and Desmond Tutu.

"Community.  Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats.  Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.  Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done.  Arms to hold us when we falter.  A circle of healing.  A circle of friends.  Somewhere where we can be free." 

Starhawk

There is a hunger for meaning.and community. People are looking to belong. Their souls cry out to make a difference. Life kills them unless they make something of their own. And they are not finding it in our houses of worship.

A friend of mine once wrote there is no meaning to find; there is only meaning to make.  How true!

The Bible speaks about "seek the kingdom of God and everything will be added onto you." (Luke 12:31) For many, the path to the Kingdom of God often doesn't go through our churches.