Refugees

Mountain Sunday – September 22nd 10:30am

September 23, 2019
Photo by: Matt Thomason via Unsplash

This is Mountain Sunday in our Season of Creation series. It is almost impossible to look toward a mountain range on a clear day and not be moved by the beauty and grandeur of that view.

It is this vision of unmatched strength and grandeur that the prophet Isaiah invites us to consider as we imagine God’s holy mountain. The mountain is the New Jerusalem, where the former ways of violence, death, greed, threat and exile are done away with and a new possibility is presented – the possibility of a world where “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together”.

For us today, this suggests God’s capacity to reform, transform and “make new” that which is evil, harmful and destructive.

See you on Sunday!

Warren

Like to read the scripture ahead?
This week our scripture reading will be:
Isaiah 65:17-25

Leaside United in the News – East York Chronicle

May 29, 2019
https://www.eastyorkchronicle.com/featured/june-9-hymns-festival-part-of-creative-approach-keeping-leaside-united-vibrant/?fbclid=IwAR37jH24Mh38Tqfg9RNuYdYJzcd8rmAzigS2QNz-95sDPW0IEZDx3THYGXo

Emily’s Weekday Wonderings – Homeless Jesus

March 2, 2019

Weekday Wonderings – February 20, 2019

Homeless Jesus sculpture by: Timothy P. Schmalz

I was very happy on Sunday to hear two very different types of comments following the service. Some told me about their appreciation of the sermon “Homeless Jesus,” including the ways it left them with a lot to think about and the inclusion of action items as take aways. Others came up to tell me they found the sermon challenging, or that they had never thought of Jesus that way – and didn’t think we should. Directly after the service there is not a lot of time to engage in a longer conversation, but it is still a gift for me to hear people’s thoughts and reactions. I am glad that some people were moved and inspired by the sermon. And I am glad that some people were challenged and frustrated by the sermon. I don’t think I have the final word on everything, or perhaps anything. My hope is that my words might start thoughts, conversations, and disagreements – because if you take the time to disagree with me then you were listening and engaged, and hopefully be better able to talk about what you think is important in response. So, thank you for the words of appreciation and disagreement. I value both.

If you missed Sunday’s sermon, you might be interested to take a look at Timothy Schmalz’s sculpture Homeless Jesus, and then listen to the sermon:

Next week we’ll conclude our Gimme Shelter February theme with the sermon “Freedom’s Song.” We’ll continue to have the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month in our music, and to reflect on history with the theme.

Blessings,

Rev. Emily Gordon

GIMME SHELTER: Joseph, Mary & Jesus’ flight to Egypt

February 20, 2019

Last week we talked about the story of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus’ flight to Egypt, and why we might say “Jesus was a Refugee.” This Sunday we continue to think about our theme Gimme Shelter with the topic of migration more generally. We’ll be reading from the Book of Ruth. This week we’re also pleased to have Jean Marie Suchora, our pastoral care minister, leading our prayers.

Meanwhile Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus have been migrating from home to home among Leaside United hosts. Many factors to be considered for this family, like the need for adequate nourishment and the struggles of being homeless in extreme weather like we experienced in the last weeks with snow, freezing rain and extreme cold weather alerts.

If you would like to host the Holy Family this February during our month of exploring our theme “Gimme Shelter” contact Natalie Jahn. Check out their journey so far: