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The Gift of Gathering


The spirit moves in and among us when we are in the good company of others. I think we are recognizing this more now
after not being able to gather. This week we hosted a regional gathering for UC ministers and lay reps in the central Alberta
area.

I arrived at the church early on the morning of our event day to put the coffee on and make sure all was ready. I was surprised by how excited I was in my busyness that morning, anticipating everyone’s arrival. Some people I would know, but many others I would be meeting for the very first time.


The excitement I felt reminded me of that feeling a child has when they have invited their friends over and can’t wait until their arrival. But wait a minute . . . in the former church structure, I was never excited about Presbytery meetings! Yet, we all seemed excited to be together. There must have been a combination of things going on there. Mostly, I think we all just delighted in each other’s company, in the stories we shared, and the challenges we talked about. We had all escaped the
boxes on our computer screens, and really felt the different energy in the room just being in each other’s presence.

How fitting that our stewardship theme this year is The Gift of Gathering. We are celebrating the weave of the spirit that shows up when we are in each other’s presence. This is an opportunity for us to remember who we are together as Sunnybrook United and to think about what we are called to do and be in this community. I hope you have already signed up for one of the coffee parties that will be hosted over the next little while. There will be a variety of days and times available to accommodate your schedule. I look forward, with great excitement, to meeting you there.

Peace and joy,
Nancy