U MATTERS
We have been in a series entitled the Acts 2 Church and during this sermon series we have witnessed how the Acts 2 church was a church that discerns, witnesses, is generous, is in community, transforms, sees and responds compassionately, and perseveres.
As I was reading this week, I came across this quote about the Slow Church. Now I think that most of us would agree, Hong Kong and slow are two words that don’t usually co-exist - but I read further:
“Slow church can help us unmask and repent of our industrialized and McDonaldized approaches to church. It can also spur our imaginations with a rich vision of the holistic, interconnected and abundant life together to which God has called us in Christ Jesus. The slow food movement is fundamentally about the richness of a shared life with the neighbors who grow our food, prepare our food and share our food. Slow church is a call for intentionality, an awareness of our mutual interdependence with all people and all creation, and an attentiveness to the world around us and the work God is doing in our very own neighborhoods.” (The New Parish, p.104)
Union Church has had a ‘faithful presence’ in the city for 177 years. God has blessed us and placed us in varying neighbourhoods throughout those years. As we intentionally consider our present and our future neighbourhoods, keeping in mind ‘the church is only the church when it exists for others,’ I wonder - ‘what do we at Union Church want to be known for? What do we want our space to be known for?’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Life Together)
“The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14 MSG
Blessings, Pastor Michele