Going deeper

“Being part of the Holy Week story as well and reflecting on that.
It cannot get lost in all the busyness.”

That is a quote from my previous blog posting.

There are certainly lots of details to be attended to. I expect Maundy Thursday and Saturday - Holy Saturday - to be especially long days.

I work with others. Sometimes in person and sometimes I make arrangements via email. I always have to be conscious of those who are without a computer - two of my close colleagues are.

So why do I get involved in various church groups and activities? What really matters about having an active role in the Altar Guild or planning for the Women’s Renewal Weekend in the fall? I like to be involved with people and I have the time being a retired person.

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There is more to my church involvement than just being a part of groups.

I feel very much at home in the Anglican Church and at St. John’s which has it own traditions for a very long time. St. John’s style of worship and music and community has been my church home for 37 years now.

My own spiritual life has grown and changed over the years.

I have made time for various activities over the years - Bible reading, spiritual books, blogs. I have been journaling my own reflections for over 30 years.

I feel nourished and fed spiritually outside of St. John’s but still very much within my own tradition - by being involved in cursillo and as an associate of SSJD.

Sharing with others - both lay and clergy - has been important over the years. I have been part of many different groups and attending many different types of events - from prayer and praise to silent retreats and everything in between.

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Some clergy stand out in my mind - interesting that they are all female.

- One who started out as a young priest in our parish. I was unsure about a female priest at that time. She has since gone on to good things in the diocese.

- Another very courageous person who was in our parish and a good friend of the parish. She struggled with cancer and unfortunately died some years ago.

- One who did not want to be in parish ministry and ended being with us for 5 ½ years.

- One who I knew before she went into the ministry. She was very much a friend of St. John’s. I found it interesting that I did not connect with her so well.

Of course I am remembering all these connections and what matters for me as I miss Dana at St. John’s. What she will be doing now working with individuals and groups helping them to find where God is in their lives.

She certainly has helped me to do that and I hope that can continue - even in a different way. That connection and other connections are so important in my life and faith journey.