Looking Ahead to June 11, 2023 -- Affirming Celebration

 At our Annual Meeting in March St. Paul's voted to become an Affirming Ministry and a member of Affirm United. We have chosen to make June 11 the day when we have our celebration of this decision and have our certificate formally presented. This means that going forward June 11 will be our Affirmiversary.

The Scripture Readings this week are:

• Isaiah 56:1-8
• Acts 10:9-16
• Galatians 3:26-29

The Sermon title is Outcast No More

Early Thoughts: What does it mean to say all are welcomed, all are included, all can choose to belong? Who are the outcasts in our communities?

Source

 

The story of faith is the story of our relationship with a God who wants to bring all people into God's family. The story of faith is also the story of communities who find many ways to make people outcasts. Years ago the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice". As people of faith, people who are growing in our understanding of how God would have us live in community, we too have to be willing to be bent towards justice.

As I consider this move toward justice, this desire of God to bring together all of God's family I find my head ringing with the words of the prophet known as Lady Gaga in the song Born This Way:

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, cholo descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way

No matter gay, straight, or bi
Lesbian, transgendered life
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white, or beige
Chola or orient made
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to be brave!

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself, and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, yeah

We in the church have a ways to go. We in the wider world have a ways to go. We continue to build systems that create "in" and "out". God is calling us to a different vision. God is calling us to build a world where there are no outcasts. In Christ God invites all to come and explore what it means to be a beloved child of God. Who are we to deny the reality of that invitation?
--Gord