What having a new vision for St. Philip's means to me...

Having a vision is sometimes compared to having a North Star in life.   The North Star points the way.   It is light in the darkness.   It helps you move towards your purpose in life.   As a congregation and a community we are equally in need of a North Star.   So we invested time and energy in prayer, conversation and dreaming.  The question at the heart of all was: What is God calling St. Philip’s to do in 2017 and beyond?  The process itself was meaningful as we engaged at Council and with the whole congregation.   

A tipping point was on a sunny September Saturday when Council met for a planning session.   The refugee family was staying at the church at the time and during our meeting they quietly came up to make and eat their lunch.    They sat at a table a few feet away from us.   In that moment, Pastor Tuula leaned over to Chris and said, “If that isn’t the Holy Spirit giving us a sign, I don’t know what would be.”

And so we boldly anchored our vision in connection.  Connection is the most basic of human needs.   As Christians and as Lutherans we are freed by the Christ to find connection with God, our neighbour and ourselves.  Certainly the words ‘grace’ and ‘connection’ are the two big ideas in the vision for me.   

Hard but exciting work lies ahead as we follow the north star of freed by the grace of Christ, …to connect with God, neighbour and self.  

Eunice