Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time: a season in the church year that stretches from Trinity Sunday all the way to Advent.

There is something about Ordinary Time that helps me relax. There are no high holy days to prepare, no big festivities, just the miracle of ordinary life, the love of God within this mundane existence, and the invitation to grow and live more deeply in the love of God, as expressed through Jesus. In Ordinary Time, as indeed in all times, we practise the sacrament of the present moment—what is holy is right in front of our nose.

How fitting that we began our celebration of Ordinary Time with a picnic in Redwood Park last Sunday. We have three core practices as a church that ground us: worship, connection, and care. We want these practices to feel friendly, organic, open, and authentic, and so we design connecting points on Sundays—potlucks, fifth Sunday brunches, and picnics in the park—to help us know each other better.

In true trickster God holiness, whose picnic was right across the grass from us? The White Rock Pride Society! When I went over to say “Hi” to the woman organizing it, I chuckled to hear her describe her search for places outdoors where they could gather and go on walks, something that fit the different ages and abilities in their group, all so that they could enjoy being in nature and being with one another. It sounded so much like Southpoint. “Thank you for crossing the dividing line”, she said, pointing to the path that separated our tables.

What does Love look like today?

How is Love drawing near to me?

How am I called to draw near in love?

These questions are the bread and butter of Ordinary Time. If there was ever a time the world needed Love to “Draw Near”, it’s now.

And, frankly, I think that’s our cue to enter stage left. What lines do we need to cross? What words do we need to go out of our way to say? What welcome do we need to go out of our way to extend? What sorrow do we need to make space for? What courage can we lend? Who is hungry? Who is thirsty? Who has extra? Who can share?

Deep peace and blessing,

Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith,
Pastor, Southpoint Church