All Saints Day – 4th November 2012

This week we come together as one congregation, to give thanks to God for our many blessings, to remember the Saints and to celebrate with Miranda as she confirms the promises made for her at her Baptism. We come with joy tempered with a certain sadness as this will be our last gathering with Bishop Geoff Smith as our Regional Bishop, prior to taking up his new appointment.

We gather in unity, yet we are a community of two different congregations because we have varying worship styles and needs. Some move easily between the services… while some like to stay within their comfort zone. We are a parish with a diversity of ideas and theologies. So, what are the bonds that hold us together?

For many a shared history is the glue that binds. Many amongst us have grown up in the area, attending schools together, remembering the Bayside when it was farmland and small villages. While there is a diversity of theological understandings, an essential love for God and a desire to follow the way of faith is a strong, uniting force. The diversity itself lends an identity to our parish that attracts and retains people who like to mix with people of other viewpoints. There is a history of diversity, which is not simply tolerated but has been encouraged through study and discussion groups… Relationships and a sense of affinity in faith are key factors in creating a sense of community and togetherness. These are the ties that bind us to each other and to God. We are not the same but we are “the Body of Christ, Thanks be to God!”

How can our living and our giving embody our pledges to one another and to God?

Blessings

Reverend Shan