grapes, wheat, bread and wine in a wood table
By Michael Wilson Pastoral Letters October 4, 2024

 

 

 

                                 

Watch this week’s service on YouTube by clicking:

October 6 Worship Service Video

 

 

Join us for Worship Sunday at 10:00 AM followed by fellowship and refreshments in the He/SheBrews Café

 

  • The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg has invited Charleswood United Church to attend the commemoration of the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The event begins this Monday at 5:30 PM with a solidarity walk departing from the Asper Jewish Community Campus (123 Doncaster St.) The walk will conclude with prayers, reflections, and speakers outside the campus.

 

  • Reminder that the funeral for Ken Arbuckle is Friday, October 11 at 2:00 in the sanctuary of Charleswood United Church.

 

  • For news and events please have a look at Life & Work on our website: Life and Work

 

 

Dear Friends

Welcome to worship for Sunday, October 6, 2024.

I felt some sympathy the other day for the Honourable Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. The context was a press conference after Iran had sent 180 ballistic missiles towards Israel. While unconditionally condemning Iran she reiterated Canada’s call for a ceasefire in the Middle East. The reporter I was listening to said Ms. Joly was once again going to satisfy no one. Welcome to middle ground in a polarized world.

With the first anniversary of October 7 approaching I have been feeling the same way I imagine Ms. Joly often does. I went back to look at my notes from the sermon I approached the Sunday after Hamas militants heinously attacked Israeli communities, killing, raping, and taking hostages in the most brutal ways imaginable (or more accurately, unimaginable). I said then, and I still do, that for whatever it is worth I stand with Israel. They have been in my prayers every since that fateful day.

At the same time I lament so deeply all that has come to the Palestinian people. I am horrified by the images and stories of death and destruction in Gaza. I want to say it is the humanitarian crisis of our time but sadly that title has many contenders. With a warring organization embedded within them and a traumatized nation assaulting them I cannot even comprehend the suffering these people have experienced. As Paul says, “I never stop praying for them.”

Am I the hypocrite? Must we take a side? It is not analogous to Ukraine where one country has clearly invaded and remains the aggressor against a comparably innocent defender. With the anniversary of October 7 looming the situation in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon is escalating. Who are the partners for peace? Where are the partners for peace? Where can peace possibly come from?

In my sorrow another day approaches. The first Sunday in October is often referred to as Worldwide Communion Sunday. On the surface it seems an almost quaint designation if not naïve. In the churches I have attended my whole life, this communion has been an intentional moment to look beyond our self-interest and our local customs and be reminded of the greater truth, that all of humanity’s efforts to create differences between ourselves are utterly meaningless in the eyes of God. A loving God who can be nothing else.

So here is the dilemma. Everything that is indicated by October 6 and everything that is represented by October 7 are completely irreconcilable. The words communion and community are sisters of the same root. We cannot imagine the ultimate unity of all things confessed to in communion and continue to abide the senseless loss of life that will ultimately yield nothing. It is the paradox I cannot resolve.

For my part I will preside at the table and say the words and pray the prayer and take the bread and cup once more. I will rehearse the banquet that will beheld at the end of time when there is neither sorrow nor sighing any longer. If we have to believe in one day or the other, I choose to believe in the world of October 6.

I’m sure it will satisfy no one. Which makes me feel for Melanie Joly.

 

Grace and peace,

Michael

 

 

  • Did you know you can support this ministry by e-transfer, automatic withdrawal (PAR), and gifted securities, in addition to weekly or monthly cheques? For Offering Information please visit: https://charleswoodunited.org/support/  We have begun to receive donations for this summer’s Roofing Project which will be held separate from Operations and Mission & Service. Thank you for your generous support.

 

 

  • Read this week’s scripture lesson here: Job 1-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Wilson / About Author
Michael’s involvement in the wider church has included ministry with children and youth, membership on the National Division of World Outreach, supervision of campus ministry, and the Ten Days for Global Justice National Committee. He has been blessed by the opportunity to represent the United Church of Canada in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Africa on different occasions. Michael has taught at the University of Winnipeg – Faculty of Theology and is past President of the Conference of Manitoba and North Western Ontario.
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