Over the past few weeks our church has been reading through Joan Gray’s book, “Sailboat Church; Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice.” Gray has asked us if we are straining at the oars of life, rowing our church in the direction we want to go or if we are reading the wind, raising the sails and allowing the Holy Spirit to blow our church where God wants it to go. Needless to say, it’s been an interesting discussion. She summarizes, “Without the Spirit moving and acting in power, the church devolves from the living body of Christ into a well-intentioned but generally impotent religious organization” (pg. 19).
One whisp of wind we have caught is the reality that here in Yorktown many face significant food shortages. Inspired to help, we have been collecting cereal and canned fruit/veg for the last few weeks. The outpouring has been incredible! Our shopping cart (collection point) has been overflowing. Our friends at the Presbyterian Church food pantry have not only appreciated our donations but also welcomed our help. If you would like to volunteer they have spots available April 12 of 26 Sign Up link. We will continue to deepen our connections to the Food Pantry at the Presbyterian Church with whom we have so many ties. Simply put, we found a need and a calling. Inspired by the many stories of Jesus feeding people and breaking bread with others, we realized we have food to spare. Let us compassionately offer it to those in need.
We are going to continue the discussion material for the next few weeks, you should come. This book has inspired so many prayers for me. I can honestly say that in the last few weeks my prayer life has taken off in ways I never expected. I invite you to regularly get in touch with God. There are many helps, in the back of Sailboat Church, Gray offers 40 days of guided prayer and reflection questions. Give regular prayer a chance it has been so helpful for me. There are lots of daily prayer tools, use them.
Friends we are living through some dynamic times. With so much uncertainty in our lives we desperately need the anchor of faith holding us fast to Christ. Unlike a marine anchor whose one job is to NOT move, Christ comes to us. With the wind of the Holy Spirit in our sails we will partner with God to take this church to the shores of God’s calling, doing what God asks of us along the way. Recognizing that we are the crew and God is the captain. Let us continue the most important sail of our lives!
See you on Sunday, Pastor Dave
