“Each individual Christian and each community of Christians has a unique call. Everybody can't do everything. You get out and do what the gospel is saying… There are some people who go to prison, who develop a whole nonviolent strategy around that. There are people who live very simple lives of prayer. Some live in monasteries, some as hermits, some in families. There are doctors and lawyers who live as witnesses. There are people who use their wealth to bring about things that otherwise wouldn't be possible. We have to get in touch with what is our unique vocation, to be a sign of hope in the world. We need to trust that God will do God's work through us if we are faithful to our call.” (Henri J Nouwen) 

Beloved people of God: 

As we begin a new month, I am inviting you to consider the unique vocation of our dear parish of St. Matthias. As you are aware, the wardens and I have participated for the past year, in discussions with our counterparts at St. Phillip parish concerning the possibility of the two communities sharing our facilities here at St. Matthias. 

What has become very clear to us is that while we share our common faith in Jesus Christ and our call to live the Gospel message in the world, our ways of understanding and living out that call are quite distinctive. 

St. Phillip parish is considering its own call and what they need specifically to continue to respond to that call. Whether or not we have a future sharing our building remains to be seen as they work out what such a move would mean for them. 

In the meantime, we continue living our particular charism; to be of service to the local community and beyond to the best of our ability. We are for example, considering ways to make our church washroom fully accessible. We also plan to move the pews from the choir area in the church, (and store them elsewhere) in order to be able to offer the space as a venue for music concerts as we have had some interest in this.  

It is important that we don’t lose sight of our own identity, and that we continue to be open to how God is calling us to serve at this particular time. We are called to be actively engaged with our faith, and not remain in “waiting mode” while another parish considers its own direction. 

I see and celebrate all that you are and all that you do. I would like to particularly acknowledge Gabi, Wendy, Bill and Marilyn who are working hard to revitalise our flower beds. You will note that Gabi, Wendy and Bill are recent newcomers to our parish and signs that the Spirit of God continues to bless and call us to new life and new possibilities. 

So, for your consideration, here is a reflection question: How are we uniquely invited to be a sign of hope in the world today? 

With deep gratitude for each one of you. 

Just because it seems a technical challenge to include more than one photo per newsletter section ...

Dear friends, it's incredible how the refreshing sea breezes can lift our spirits and our energies!  And, in the true, wonderful spirit of St. Matthias, we've enlisted help already in our decluttering campaign.  Joan's dear friend Robert joined her today in some immediate re-location of some of our unused chancel furniture.  Margaret Robertson, with her gifts for visual space, has identified some ways for us to re-locate the pews in the chancel area.  

Marilyn, Joan, Gabi and Cory are all planning on some decluttering of the Peg Lowe Room (our upstairs meeting room in the hall), the deacon's office, and the music room.  Rumour has it that the next three Tuesdays (starting Tuesday, August 4) might be opportunities for anyone interested in joining!  

About the music room (basement level in the hall):  there are opportunities!  If anyone has interest in well-used choir robes (a reddish shade similar to the cushions on the pews in the church) or lots of choral arrangement sheet music, this is the time to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" and take some home!  

Cory is sending a note to parish offices in the diocese to offer any or all of our massive (but not used in years) collection of  sheet music representing arrangements from the 1980s through the early 2000s.  The music is primarily arrangement for multi-part choirs.  

Note to St. Matthias and friends:  we'll be contacting Our Place soon to find some possible dates to offer a lunch to the community at Our Place.  We know how warmly folks have joined in this opportunity to embrace the wider community.  When we have a date or two to consider, we'll be in touch.