Advent Reflection Questions 2014 - Summary

In 2014, members of St. Paul’s Church were asked to respond to four questions. One for each Sunday in Advent, leading up to Christmas. Here is a summary of the responses, and these will be used on Christmas Eve during the sermon.

November 30: Love

How has St. Paul’s parish been a help to you in difficult times? How has St. Paul’s parish helped you celebrate the good time of your life?

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

We are called to love one another, to support one another in difficult times and to celebrate the good times. Amidst the chaos of our lives and the chaos of our worship we find at St. Paul’s parish to be a place of refuge; where we can cry and laugh; where we can find community, acceptance, forgiveness; where hugs are permitted but not required; where we acknowledge transitions, births, baptisms, weddings, funerals, whatever. St. Paul’s parish is a place where faith can be restored; where all are welcome to God’s holy table; where hearts and minds are opened and people are brought closer to God; where there is prayers and kind words of encouragement; where there are opportunities to be involved in different activities within the church. St. Paul’s parish is a place where we are friends; where people are genuine; where we linger and where coffee hour sometimes is a full hour. St. Paul’s parish is a place where anger and grief can be left behind.

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

December 7: Peace

In your entire time in St. Paul’s parish, when have you felt the Holy Spirit being powerfully present?

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

We are called to be at peace with one another and in the world and to seek the presence and direction of God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to us in many ways and at many times; in prayer; in the calm of doing a reading of holy scripture; when we are singing hymns; in sermons; in worship; alone in the darkened church-building. The Holy Spirit comes to us in the beauty and awe of creation; in the world, during sunrise and sunset, in the forest, on the beach, outside. The Holy Spirit comes to us at that moment of a sense of knowing that this is where “I am meant to be”; being with people of all generations, in all stages of life. The Holy Spirit comes to us at a service of reconciliation and forgiveness when we prayed for one another; at the passing of the Peace; in our community outreach ministry; realizing that peace starts with me. Something has changed at St. Paul’s and it just might be the Holy Spirit working in us.

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

December 14: Joy

What, for you, is most life-giving about being part of St. Paul’s parish?

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

We are called to express joy, especially for the life-giving moment of our community of St. Paul’s parish. Our sense of community and our openness are life-giving; as is our acceptance of everyone; the people and the atmosphere we collectively create here are life-giving (it’s not just one or two of us, it’s the whole group). Being friendly and smiling; participating in fund raisers and outreach activities are life-giving; access to the clergy, and to ask questions about spirituality and faith is life-giving. We provide a place to praise God; a place where we can be social and connect with other people – this is life-giving. Also, because we show God’s love and justice for all; we are meeting our priorities; we love and are being loved; we serve and are being served, we are life-giving. The youth of our parish are life-giving: we look forward to seeing children playing the instruments during the offering; and the clatter of little feet. A quiet church is a dying church, and we are not quiet. Children, even noisy ones are welcomed in our church; adults, even noisy ones are welcome in our church. We are a healthy church; we are a life-giving church.

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

December 21: Love

What would you like to see offered in this parish to help you grow in knowledge, faith and discipleship?

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

We are called to show love for everyone and to grow in knowledge, faith and discipleship. We need to do more for young families; to keep up the good sermons; to continue the strong sense of community and fellowship; the prayers and the hymns speak to people in surprising ways. We need to continue to be a place where doubts are okay and faith can be restored; we need to continue to let our Sunday worship be a place where people can touch base with God and reaffirm beliefs. We need to continue to be a home for people’s hearts; a place of protection and hope; a place of radical inclusion.

Although we are not perfect, God uses us anyway.

Thank you everyone for your responses and prayerfulness in this time of reflection.

- John.