By Rev. Rhonda Pigott Thorndale
Luke 19: 1-9
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Welcome back everyone. It is so nice to have our community of faith together after the summer holidays. As the season changes, we embark on a new chapter of our faith journey together. We come with open hearts, curious minds, and a commitment to creating a brighter future for all. No one really knows what this season of creation will bring for us, but probably a mix of joy, laughter, and a deepening sense of connectiveness to each other and the world around us. There will be times of trouble and sadness, but I know that with the God spirit within us and around us, we can live in a place of respect, peace, and compassion with these near and dear us as well as those we do not know.
Today, we call welcome back Sunday. A time when our church family gathers together after summer of rest and rejuvenation, now to return to this scared space where our various groups meet again. Tuesday coffee continued throughout the summer, and Sunday worship happened for all but four Sundays and of course, there was visiting at the very busy thrift shop, but once school starts it seems like life feels a bit different. For me there was the excitement of my grands off in a different direction…the oldest entering college and the second youngest starting playschool.
We can remember the warmth of the sun and the tranquility of nature throughout the coming seasons, reminding us of the beauty and the wonder of creation that surrounds us , may these memories of laughter, adventure, and connect with family and friends sustain us in the days ahead. With a sense of purpose, we will be ready to engage in the challenges of the world with courage and creativity.
I wonder what new opportunities we can explore to learn, to grow and to serve. New ideas, new perspectives and new experiences will appear where we can work towards justice, equality compassion, where our actions reflect our values. We are called to be a source of light love and hope in the world and our presence can make a difference to all of those around us. Although I’ve used it before in services, I’ve always loved the Celtic Rune of Hospitality:
We saw a stranger yesterday,
We put food in the eating place
drink in the drinking place
music in the listening place,
And, with the second name of the triune God,
God blessed us in our house,
Our cattle and our dear ones.
As the lark says in her song:
Often, often, often, goes Christ in the stranger’s guise.
I wonder if it is in this spirit of hospitality, we need to welcome all who enter the doors of our church, the doors of our houses, of our community, and our country, with a willingness to see the divine in every person.
Jesus was welcomed by Zacchaeus, a tax collector, a person who was not liked in those days. Jesus welcomed all; may we too welcome those are marginalized or excluded. As we heard in this morning’s reading, he climbed up a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus saw him and asked to him, come down and announced he was coming to Zacchaeus’ house. In shock and amazement, to both the crowd and Zacchaeus, he welcomes Jesus into his home and doing so, open himself up to transformation and change.
The story of Zacchaeus, is a powerful example of how we can change peoples lives by welcoming them and sincerely making them feel part of our community. In doing so we need to be willing to take risks, climb out of our comfort zones, and embrace the stranger in our midst.
With doors open wide, hearts warm and arms outstretched, we can become a beacon of hope for each other and strangers, and a catalyst for positive change. This is especially true for people who are feeling lost, or not belonging and may be a different from us. That simple smile and kind hello and “come in” does make a difference. I think of Matthew, the tax collector, and Peter, a fisherman, two men of opposite streams and political spectrum, both spent time together and were called to be Jesus’ disciples. It gives me hope that we can be there for each other and all people regardless of who.
I wonder about those who have been excluded, about recognizing those who have been made to feel uncomfortable in our churches, unwelcomed if they are different than us. When we and other churches say “all are welcome” we need to mean exactly that, “all are welcome.” In our church, we have started conversation about becoming an affirming Church. We might not all feel comfortable about that, just as we might not all feel comfortable about welcoming people that are different than us such as the homeless or people from different countries, but that is how we do welcoming.
My thoughts drifted to welcoming people of all ages. We want to be inclusive to all generations. When we have children come on Sundays or coffee hour we want them to feel valued and included.
I believe that the welcome here is deep and genuine. I think it’s important that we keep building on that. We have made a mark in the community, not just by Sunday services but by our actions… community coffee on Tuesdays, the willingness to have the food fridge on the church property, and the wonderful work and accepting feeling visitors receive from the people in the Thrift Shop, by the various groups we open our doors to that aren’t directly part of our community of faith. These are some of the ways we show our welcome in the community. In our Corinthians reading, Paul compared the physical body with its various parts having distinct functions, to the community of believers which comprises of diverse members with unique gifts and roles.
Now I’m wondering where we will be led to next, and who we will welcome in. As we enter the fall season together, let’s carry that lateness of summer with us, even when we confront the complexities and challenges of our world. Let’s work towards making Winfield United being a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change. Remember to support each other through our struggles, and celebrate our triumphs while we work together with the Holy for a brighter future for all.
So, welcome back everyone.
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