Refreshing our Imaginations

Last week I went to Redding, California, to see Craig. Walking from the plane into the gate in Redding, I saw a big group of about twenty people—children and adults—holding a very long sign. 

“What a welcome!”, I thought to myself, my eyes scanning over them in search of Craig. 

One of the little children began calling my name, jumping up and down. “Anne, Anne!”  

I looked at the group more closely, and was gobsmacked to see that Craig’s friends, including their children, had gathered to welcome me! After being thoroughly hugged by everyone, I was ushered to the local ice cream store, where we chatted for another hour.

Last Sunday, we took a long, slow communal gaze at Joy’s last commissioned image—the image of the Seed. I was so sad to miss the Visio Divina and can’t wait to hear what you saw. 

This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar year. How beautiful that this liturgical year has gifted us with a new image of Christ through Joy’s artwork—the Welcoming Christ. 

I wonder how the Spirit will continue to refresh our faith, and our children’s faith, through this image of Jesus. I wonder who we will welcome over the years? I wonder how we will welcome them? My visit to Redding refreshed my imagination of being welcoming. May the Spirit continue to expand and refresh our own imaginations around welcoming.

Deep peace and blessing,
Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith
Pastor, Church at Southpoint
 

This Sunday

All In Service & Potluck
We’re going on a journey towards Advent together, and there will be a special surprise! 

If you have paintbrushes and scissors you can contribute, would you label them as yours with some tape and bring them?

Thank you for bringing food to share in a feast—potluck right after the service.

Worship Calendar

Location & Zoom. We meet on Sundays at 15639 24 Avenue, Surrey. Zoom is offered if you cannot attend in person. Zoom link. Meeting ID: 831 1690 9977 password: 753319

Listen to Sermons
Follow “Meditations from the Church at Southpoint” on Spotify, Apple and Google

Blogs
Catch up on Anne’s recent blogs under “News” on our website, southpoint.ca

Sun Apr 7
(2) Opening to Love
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
John 21:1-19

Sun Apr 14
(3) Receiving Clarity
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
Acts 3:12-19
 
Sun Apr 21
Rev Scott Swanson
Acts 4:5-12

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.