Homecoming

“What comes to mind when you think of home?” This was Krista Boyes’ opening line last Sunday. She then encouraged us to look backwards to our ancestors and remember the land or lands from which we came.

Many in Canada, Indigenous people and non-native people, carry an inner ache from being separated from the land of their ancestors. “When told through the lens of land, the story of Canada is a story of separation: new people coming, separated from the land of their ancestors. First People enduring violent colonial tactics to separate them from the land of their ancestors. The result—we have become a society of people with vast distances between us and the land where we live, play, and raise our children. Our ears are not tuned to her songs. Our eyes don’t register her teachings. We do not know her well. We are dismembered from a creation story that we were created to be part of.”

We might not be able to find our way back to these lands, but we can be “naturalized” where we are, she encouraged, and the Plantain plant is our humble teacher in this process. Plantain came from Europe and Asia and is not indigenous to Canada. However, unlike the Himalayan blackberry, it neither spreads out of control, nor crowds out or endangers indigenous species.  

Robin Wall Kimmerer, in Braiding Sweetgrass, states “[The Plantain’s] strategy was to be useful, to fit into small places, to coexist with others around them, to heal wounds. Plantain is so prevalent, so well-integrated, that we think of it as native. It has earned the name bestowed by botanists for plants that have become our own. Plantain is not indigenous but “naturalized.” This is the same term we use for the foreign-born when they become citizens in our country. They pledge to uphold the laws of the state… If you pay attention, you’ll likely see plantain today—in grassy lawns or in the cracks of sidewalks.”

We all have a need or longing for home. We were made for deep kinship with God, other people, and for a particular place within creation. Wherever we are, we can receive the love the land has for us, and we can love the land in return. We can be naturalized, finding our place of belonging, right where we are, as we cultivate a loving relationship with the land beneath our feet. For those who live with the ache of displacement, this is hopeful news. We end this year’s Season of Creation with this good news—as we hope and act with Creation, we are coming home.

“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” (Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass)

Deep peace and blessing,

Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith
Pastor, Southpoint Church

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.

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.