Friendship and Flourishing

Each of us longs for flourishing. We want to live our lives alive, caught up in the flow of God’s love and allowing this love to transform us. But how? Many of us feel this longing within us, but aren’t sure how to tap into it. Do we need to become more informed? Does our willpower need harnessing? Will ecstatic experience unlock lasting joy? All three approaches — more information, more discipline, more ‘highs’ — have something to offer. But they end up falling short. 

This summer, we’re sitting with the contention that we are loved into flourishing. What if friendship lies at the heart of a life worthy of our deepest desires? And what if Jesus is inviting us into this form of flourishing life himself, by calling us his friends?

Grounded in Jesus’s invitation to come close to the relational heart of God, we’re exploring the intricacies of friendship and expanding our imaginations for how friendship can be nurtured. What are some common barriers that hold us back from entering the relational depths where abundant life happens? What are some forms of friendship that we may not have considered before, into which we’re being invited? 

Come along this summer, as we explore our deep desires for connection. Let’s marvel together at friendship’s central place in God’s invitation for everyone: to partake in flourishing life. 

Deep peace and blessing,
Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith
Pastor, Church at Southpoint 

Summer Ordinary Time series:
Friendship & Flourishing
This summer we’re sitting with the contention that we are “loved into flourishing”. What if friendship lies at the heart of a life worthy of our deepest desires? What if Jesus invites us into this form of flourishing life himself, by calling us his friends? Come, join us as we explore these questions.

Sun Jul 7 
Madison Friesen
The Deepest Reality is Friendship
John 15:9-17

Sun Jul 14
Amy Rogness Ris
Friendship and Self-Compassion
Col 3:12-14

Sun Jul 21
Brent Unrau
Coming to Friendship: Being ‘Held and Free’
Luke 5:27-32

Sun Jul 28 
Rev. Janice Young
Meet at Semiahmoo Hatchery
All Out WILD CHURCH
No service at Sunnyside

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.

If you’d like to really peek inside, sign up for our weekly Southpoint News (scroll to brown footer at bottom of page). The Southpoint News is a MailChimp distributed email—you can unsubscribe anytime and will not be added to our contacts list. Email us at office@southpoint.ca. Website: southpoint.ca.