Good afternoon lovers of God and lovers of neighbours,

It has been said that love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage… but scripture more accurately reports that obedience is what is to be paired with love.  Obedience and love go together like gears in a clock, like spokes on a wheel, or like a hand in a glove.  Whichever metaphor you choose, wrestling with obedience becomes unavoidable if we are to follow the command ‘to love’.

Many of us bristle when we hear encouragements to obey.  Canadian culture teaches that we are accountable to no one but ourselves.  Although we may have purported allegiances to countries, provinces, cities, or families, individual preferences and freedoms and autonomy are to be the highest values, and it is to them that we are to offer our ultimate fealty.  We are encouraged to choose how we wish to live with consideration for the needs of those around us as a distant second afterthought.  God does not even make it into the top ten list, falling well behind other loyalties to hockey practices, work, dinner plans, hikes, vacations, and comfort activities.   

And yet we all see the mess of the world around us when we refuse to humble ourselves to God and to others.  We see the harm that comes from not living into God’s will for our lives.  We see what happens when we do not obey the commands of God.

The invitation this week through the gospel of Matthew is to discern what our lives would look like if we really did make the command to love God and others our primary focus in life.  Would our daily rhythms change, or our daily tasks be different?  How would this affect you personally?

Please find attached to the email the bulletin for the week.  Note that for the month of November, there will be a Grief Group at 9:30 AM on Thursdays at the southern building.  Everyone is welcome, as – without exception – we are all wrestling with various griefs in each of our lives.  And taking time to honour our losses and our suffering matters.

For those who feel ready to step into deeper conversations with God for visioning our future as an amalgamated church, including naming of the new congregation and actively discerning and participating in tasks for amalgamation, please speak to Joy Augustin or myself to discuss how you can demonstrate your love of God and your love of neighbour in this way.  Perhaps you are called to serve on the Vision Task Force?

I pray you each stay warm as you prepare to worship on Sunday together.  It will be a pleasure to worship with you.  And may you each be blessed to hear and follow God’s plans for your life.

In warmth and peace,

Rev. Chandra Mannix