sunday WORSHIP

A Time to Wear Shoes and a Time to Leave them Behind

Prayer:

This past Friday I had the honour of facilitating a Celebration of Life service here in our sanctuary. While it was a small service given the limitations of Covid protocols, it was a very meaningful service as we reflected on the life of a very special individual. After listening to some wonderful sharing, I mentioned, as I frequently do, how much I would have loved to have met the deceased. She brought a lot of light into the world. It was obvious to me how blessed the family felt in so many ways. There are incredible memories that will help dispel the grief of loss and in time memories will be wonderful celebrations.

I was asked to share two Scripture readings, one of them, the well-known Ecclesiastes reading from Chapter 1. Beginning at Vs. 3., you will recall the words, For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”  This reading offers not so much comforting words of God’s presence in our grief, the words are more practical in their observation that life has its phases and this is a natural and unavoidable truth. 

As I considered our readings for today that Mary shared, I thought about Moses taking his shoes off before God, and it seems to me we were metaphorically doing that last Friday. We took off our shoes and were steeped in the Holy. We sat and wondered. We shared, we contemplated, we grieved, we had quite time to listen to music and scripture, and we had time to pray. We were supported and nurtured by God working in and through us in our gathering. This was a time to take off our shoes and listen to the still small voice of God saying, “It is good to be here with you. “Rest a while in my care. You are safe here.  You are held here. You are loved here.” 

There is certainly a time to take off our shoes and pay attention the many gifts that surround us and give thanks for simply being.

In 2016 while working in Kamloops as a student minister, I had the honour of helping to organize a “Spirit Circle,” which was led by author and poet Richard Wagamese. When we gathered for the first time one evening, there were probably 50 people in a large circle. We were asked to take off our shoes to honour the circle, our elders, the tradition of sharing and to honour the Creator. 

To begin, Richard lit a smudge consisting mostly of cedar, sweetgrass and sage. (pic) He then came around the circle and offered us all a smudge as we stood in silence. We were bathed in sweet smoke aroma, breathing in the essence and letting it waft over our bodies. It was an incredible honour to experience this indigenous tradition. I am sure it was different for everyone but I believe we all felt moved by something we had not experienced before.  The Creator’s spirit permeated each one moving us profoundly as we stood bare foot or in stocking feet. 

There is a time to leave our shoes behind, be quiet and listen. Listen for what cannot be easily described in words, the spirit of the living God, that fills every space, nurtures every soul and rests in every heart.

Some of you might know that my first student ministry placement was in Enderby. As is customary in the United Church, when a community of faith has a new minister, a “Covenanting Service” is conducted. This is a time when the congregation and the minister exchange vows in a formal way to recognize and celebrate their partnership. You might remember that we did one here too.

As part of the service, there is a reflection time. The new-comer is asked to organize a guest preacher. I asked my former minister Carolyn Ronald if she would do me the honour of preaching and she agreed. 

Carolyn was called up to the lectern and the first thing she did was place a pair of tattered and worn shoes in front of us all. (pic)

I expect you can imagine what she spoke about during her homily. I can’t remember exact details but she spoke to the congregation and to me specifically, indicating that in ministry we have incredibly awesome experiences. But she also said, looking at me, that ministry is not for the weak at heart. “You have to get yours shoes dirty,” Carolyn said. “Some times you will be very frustrated and sometimes you might be disillusioned. Sometimes you will be exhausted.” She was telling me that being a servant is not the easiest thing in the world.  And I am sure she said something like, “be prepared to make trips to the shoe renew store because you will need new soles for you shoes.” 

Carolyn’s advice was that being a servant in ministry for God and travelling the journey with Jesus is tough stuff. You need a good pair of shoes for that. So as Jesus told his disciples, one can leave a lot of “stuff” behind, but it is essential to have your sandals on. 

The other thing Carolyn said, and I remember that well, is that doing ministry work was part of her being, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. That is something very affirming. 

I have found Carolyn’s expressions of ministry and her remarks to be very true. It can be a test whereupon the soles of your shoes can be worn out (and perhaps a little more than the soles of one’s shoes)! It can be challenging and frustrating too. (pic) “What the heck, what happened to everyone during the zoom broadcast?” “Ooops, I forgot to unmute, sorry about that everyone, would you like me to say that prayer again?” “Oh dear, the budget is going to be a bit short and the board is a bit tense about that. How will we handle that?” “Oh dear, Mrs. Black is upset with me because I missed her phone call and didn’t get back to her.” Oh dear, oh dear, my feet are sore, my shoes are falling apart. 

But like Carolyn, I wouldn’t have it any other way. That is because I often take off my shoes and listen to the voice of the Holy. It is encouraging, renewing and life giving. 

That voice says, “look at these incredible people, they are kind and generous, they care about one another. And they care about their community. You can tell that by their actions, you can read that through the eyes of their volunteers.” In that I am growing, learning and being nurtured too. 

In those times with my shoes off, I feel the Holy Presence affirming my call to ministry. It also reminds me to slow down, rest for a while and breathe. I am reminded not only to appreciate what is in front of my eyes or what I hear, but to appreciate that I am a Child of God, held and loved.

That is so important. It is what we experienced last Friday during our celebration of life service. We were reminded that while there is a time to lace up our sandals and answer Jesus’ call to action, there is also a time to take off our shoes and walk on the damp green grass with God. (pic) 

When we sit, contemplate and listen we are nurtured, sustained and encouraged. Like Moses on Mt. Sinai, we have an opportunity to know that God is near.

Thank you all for putting on your shoes and walking in faithful witness in this community of believes that we call Peachland United. Thank you for the hours you spend phoning friends, sorting clothes and goods, standing out in the cold to oversee shoppers, taking turns at the cash counter, attending meetings, sweating over bank accounts, completing reports, organizing events, helping with worship and countless other duties. 

Thank you, but remember to take off your shoes once in a while. Sit and visit with God. Appreciate who and what you are. Know that you are gifted and cherished. Breathe in deeply the essence of creation, the source of life, the spirit of God.

Thanks for listening this morning, 

Amen