Week of November 8-15

Hard Times

It is gut-wrenching to have Covid cases on the rise in our area and strict limitations imposed on us again, isn’t it? I feel the tension in my chest, the double bind that comes from wanting to be both safe and connected during these strange days of Covid. Super-innocuous choices, like meeting up with friends, going on trips, going into each other’s homes, going to yoga studios and spin classes,  all things that feel good to us and are good for us, once again can have dire consequences. That is confusing. These are emotionally challenging times that require empathy, tolerance, and great negotiation skills! Since none of us get it right all the time, this also puts strain on our relationships.

This past Sunday we talked about wisdom. I wonder what wise words are helping you get through this time?

A young man asked Jesus, “What must I do to have eternal life?” In that question, the word “eternal” in Greek is not just quantitative, meaning a life that lasts forever, but also qualitative, a life that bears within itself that which is eternal; something timeless, good and true. The answer given? “Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbour as yourself.”

These words hold three things in tension – loving God, loving others, and loving ourselves. Without holding these three in tension, there is an imbalance. If I just love myself and do what is best for me, I grow selfish. If I just love others and do what is best for others, I grow co-dependent. If I just love God, my love grows disembodied and disingenuous.

Pair up just two of the three and watch what happens: If I love God and myself without loving others, my spirituality becomes self-indulgence. If I love God and others without loving myself, it leads to burnout and resentment. If love myself and others without loving God, I become fatigued because the very source, the headwaters of love itself is diminished within me. Of course, that water will still reach me. God does not abandon me. But I miss being bathed and sustained by Love in a conscious, overflowing way.

Covid cannot take away the life giving flow of love. There is still, within this place of restriction, the opportunity to press into these three movements of love – loving God, loving others, loving yourself. Which one is most easily neglected in your life? Which one needs a bit of tending and nurturing? What might it look like for you to act in ways that release the flow of love in that direction?

Our mission statement for Southpoint that appears weekly on our powerpoint is “Love God, Love People. Love Creation”. This mission to continue cultivating love has sustained us through some hard times as a church. I have full confidence that with God’s love sustaining us, and our movements of love towards one another, we will get through this one, too!

– Anne

 

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Outdoor Church and Kids Groups

We are pushing “pause” on any in-person gathering for this two-week period, with the intention of continuing to gather research, paying attention to government updates and listening to one another so that we can move forward well.

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Financial Snapshot

Budget

Required income to meet budget over ten months  $101,250
Donations over ten months  $95,646
Difference:
-$5,624 short for year as budgeted

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Actual

Expenses over ten months  $82,016
Donations over ten months  $95,646
Difference:
+$13,630 (positive balance)

 

 

 

Advent 2020

Here are three ways we can share “togetherness” in our practice of Advent.

A common resource. Our Advent worship this year will centre on the artwork and reflections in Scott Erickson’s new book, ** Honest Advent. If you’d like to deepen your own experience of Advent, you can purchase this book for your household and read it together (link).

A common symbol. You can build your own Advent wreath and say our weekly Advent liturgy together as a household. (Katia and Brent both make candle holders!)

Advent Buddies. Using a secret name exchange, each participating household will be given another household to keep close throughout Advent, praying for them and surprising them with little gifts or cards. If you are interested, sign up here (link).

** A Kindle version is available for ~$10. You can order a copy for pick-up from Black Bond or Indigo (~$25) but order now to receive it before Advent. 

 

Together @Southpoint 

Worship

Nov 15  Zoom Church @10:00 am Anne
Moses, Exodus 1:22, 2:1-10

This link provides the information you need to attend Zoom church this Sunday.

Nov 22  Zoom Church led by Anne
Jesus Heals Legion, Mark 5:1-20

Although we had planned to hold Outdoor Church two Sundays a month, there’s a pause on that due to the restrictions of the current Public Health Order. Outdoor Church is designed to meet the needs of our youngest members. Attendance will be limited to 30 participants and ONLY by advance sign-up by noon the day before. A sign-up link will be provided in the Southpoint News when applicable.

Friendship Benches 

Cultivating small circles of connection, fun, and care during Covid. If you’d like to know more about these groups contact Angela (email).

These groups are paused until after the current restrictions are eased, possibly after Monday, November 23.

Youth and Younger
Gr. K-3 at Kingfisher Farm
Order of the Phoenix (Gr. 3-6)
Fellowship of the Ring (Gr. 7-9)
Monthly Roots Hangout (Gr. 10+)

 

Care

 

Prayer Chain
If you have a confidential prayer need, please contact John Hardy (email).

Pastoral Support
If you’re needing to talk or to pray, please call Anne (778-878-4352).

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Supporting the Work of Southpoint

Thank you for considering your giving during this unusual time.

Options include:

– via Pre-authorized debit (monthly or one-time) with this form (link). Cost to Southpoint is only $0.50.

– via Paypal to The Church at Southpoint. Cost is 3% of the donation. No Paypal account is required, just a credit card.

– via Charitable Impact Foundation. Cost is 2.8% of the donation.