St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Sixth Sunday of Easter

I really enjoyed church this morning. It was a near miss. I had finished my morning coffee after porridge and thought my couch looked inviting. It was already 0930 and I wasn’t dressed but I remember Father John saying to me, “your mother would rather you come late than miss supper.”.  Madigan is keen to go to church. It was a sunny day. I remember the beautiful women from the week before dressed in bright summer frocks looking like models, ,distracting but uplifting.  I had been inspired by the last few church visits. I’ve been in a lull waiting for the hitch to be completed on my Jeep and Thor Motorhome so I can plan summer vacation.

I liked the smell of spring in the air when I walked the dog first thing this morning.  The flowers in the courtyard were in bloom.  I love the old church, the stained glass windows gifts of Canadian warriors.  A great tradition of decades of service.  It’s sad that barbarians are burning such great works of tradition and art to the ground.  

Rev. Paul Woehrie was presiding again today. His sermon last week was uplifting and thought provoking. I enjoyed his sermon today speaking of love and joy and Jesus washing the feet of disciples. I felt glad I had come.  There’s community here. I’m fairly stand offish. I participate a little but there ware those who volunteer and are the backbone of the church. I admire them and their contributions. Margaret Johnston was a reader and I see her participating a lot.  John Russel was another reader and Linda Hale gave the prayers.  Neil Seedhousek, our deacon, was there. Martha the other deacon wasn’t but the two of them do a lions share of work for the church.  I enjoy them both.

It was good after Eucharist to sit thankful for the space and time.  Madison was a good dog and settled in for the whole of the service. 

Now I’m home having had lunch and coffee with Madigan glad to share my beef wrapped in pastry and the donut. I stopped at the bakery on the way home for brad but came away with more.  

I like church beginning a new day.  The talk of trinity , three persons of God, father, son and spirit, in one was stimulating. I ‘d been listening to the discussions of the trinity in the Creeds in my Timothy Ware history of the Othodox Church.  Christianity is rich and history and philosophy deeply moving and yet mysterious with deoctrine, ritual and mysticism.  I’m moved by the personal relationship with God and the profound impact this creativity has given to peace and love in history.  I like that all the greatest scientist I studied were theist and still remember studying Dostoevsky and Milton.  I began to read John again in the Bible and got distracted.  I will return.  Bible study is so fulfilling. In the sermon today Reven Woelris said that Jesus said “If you love me, obey my rules.’ That made me think I must check those rules again.  They aren’t so black and white as like the laws of science.  There’s wiggle room but the direction is pretty clear even if the route can be winding.  I’m not in a hurry today.  When I was young I really was.  Now I’m thankful to be alive despite aging and continuing to work and pay for my mobile home and vehicle. I like that I have purpose and meaning and am of service.  

Thank you Jesus,  Thank you God. Thank you Holy Spirit.