A New Beginning

Could the Bible be a bit like a big, beautiful Christmas ornament — like the ones many of us will likely be taking down from our trees sometime this week? I know, it’s a funny question. 

People have actually compared the Bible to things that are similar to ornaments — wise people have said that the Bible is like a big, beautiful gemstone. It’s filled with stories that we tell and retell over and over again, and just like how, when we take turns holding a gemstone and see the light reflect through it in different ways, each time we retell stories in the Bible, we’re given the chance to see God’s light sparkle through in a new and fresh way. 

Downstairs this past Sunday, the kids began a journey through the big story of the Bible. They will explore stories from Genesis to Revelation, using a wonderful new Bible story collection for kids called The Book of Belonging: Bible Stories for Kind and Contemplative Kids, by Mariko Clark (Goodreads link).

This marks a departure from our rhythm of kids and adults running parallel with the same lectionary text centring our reflections with one another each week. Centring the kids’ need for learning the wider arc of the biblical story, the kids’ conversation will engage their own story-of-the-week, while Anne will continue reflecting on the lectionary text each week with the teens and adults. 

As the kids set off on this new journey, I hope they can learn to see the great theme of God’s love for them and all creation shining through — and I hope they can experience the joy of seeing this love that brings all the stories together shine in all sorts of dazzling and surprising ways. Like a gemstone. Or a Christmas ornament.

—Madison

Madison Friesen
Community Life Coordinator, Southpoint Church

Sun Jan 12
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sun Jan 19
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
Luke 4:14-21

Sun Jan 26 ALL IN Intergenerational Service
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
John 2:1-11

New to Southpoint?

At Southpoint, it all begins with God’s love. Just as a plant grows, it receives sunshine, so we grow as we receive God’s love. At Southpoint, we are growing in our capacity to love God, ourselves, one another, and Creation.

We seek to be a community of grace that is intentional yet organic, spacious yet authentic, grace-filled yet accountable. * We are fully welcoming. *

We encourage relationships rather than run programs, yet we recognize the importance of intentionality and structure as we nurture life together.

As a community, we seek to put our love in action. We value helping out on Sunday mornings, sharing food, and showing up in hard times. We keep our church life simple so folk have time to build relationships with family, friends, and neighbours. We encourage folk to serve in tangible ways within the wider community. We rent space rather than own a building, allowing us to do more with less, supporting missions at home and abroad.

Curious to know more?

These six slides express what motivates our ministry (best viewed on a monitor). Here’s the bio of our Pastor, Rev. Anne Baxter Smith.

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