Response

"All who actively engaged in prayer, discussion, and discernment about important issues in the church’s life are commended for your faithful response. Your disciplined effort to open your lives more fully to God’s Spirit in response to the call to be a prophetic people has become a blessing to the entire church. Your spiritual yearning for light and truth has created a favorable environment for the Spirit’s movement to provide inspired counsel as authoritative guidance for the church."

I dropped in on our Proton congregation yesterday. It was such a glorious, sunny morning when I awoke, it seemed like a great day for a drive into snow country. I was right!

Beautiful snow-covered fields, sparkling ice-frosted trees, clear blue cloudless skies accompanied the whole drive, right to the door of our pretty little rural Proton church. The door opened into a bright foyer, thanks to the sun through their stained glass south-east window. Coffee was on; Peggy's eggy muffins were hot from the oven. Hugs and hospitality everflowed.

Guests (who'd been invited by someone) were introduced and about fifteen of us settled down to discuss and discern about the Words of Counsel to the church.

Questions, opinions, perspectives flowed freely. Scriptures were explored, testimonies shared. "What does it mean to open our lives?" "How can our rural Ontario story mesh with other global stories?" Wisdom and insight was evident around that circle. It was a blessing for us all to be there.

And we noted the truth in the statement that a favourable environment is created for the Spirit to move when we are open to, and yearning for, new light and truth.

Thanks to all the Proton folk who enjoy that good spirit in their gathering and in their living. I've only shared a tiny bit of my experience there; maybe I'll share more in future posts.

Posted by Marion