Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes

Why are you hiding?

Bible Text: John 20:19-31 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | While attending and preaching at the first Regional Women’s Gathering in Western Canada last month, I had the privilege of and listening to keynote speaker Mary Jo Leddy, an activist, author, nun and order of Canada recipient. Part of her talk was on her new book, “Why are we here?: A Meditation on Canada”. Due to her 25 years of experience working with refugees she shared that she has unique insights on what it means to live in Canada. Part of her reflections talked about our colonial history. She pointed out that when the first Europeans sailed down the St. Lawrence River they found themselves in a vast wilderness. They looked around at the rocks, water, and trees and they were concerned by this inhospitable looking land. Then they met the people- a people who were equally surprised and concerned to see these unfamiliar faces in their land. She writes, “This vast space seemed menacing and indifferent. This sense of threat did not cease when they landed…The first challenge facing the European settlers was to survive…the imperative of survival blinded them to the summons of a new land, the promise held in the encounters with new peoples, the call to a new way of being…survival moved the settlers to build garrisons.” In their fear the Europeans decided that instead of learning from and working with the people and land, they built garrisons. Now good things can occur when it comes to survival in garrisons, there is a sense of similar moral and social values that develop, one could even argue cooperation amongst these similarly minded people deepens. There is certainly a sense of being in this together- they weathered storms and fears together.
However, Mary Jo Leddy argues that still today our default response to something we fear or do not understand is to retreat to our garrisons. She continues, “The garrison mentality also had its shadow side, a shadow that seems to lengthen even unto today. The garrison as a culture often took shape as people pulled together because there was a common threat. In other words, it was a culture defined more by what/who it was against rather than by what/who it was for.” In fear we harden our lines of who is with us and who is against us. I tend to agree with Mary Jo. We often define ourselves by who we are not rather than who we are. We Canadians are not Americans. We are Presbyterians are not Pentecostals. We are Comoxians are not Courtenayers? I would argue that this is not limited to the Canadian experience but very much a part of North American culture. It is why building walls, creating stricter border laws, and tariffs are the default actions of our politicians. But today we hear that others found themselves in their own garrison, behind locked doors, hiding in fear but that those walls, doors, and fear could not keep Jesus out.
It has been a week for us since we heard of Mary’s experience of meeting Jesus in the garden. But for the disciples not even a full day has past. Mary announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had told her to give directions to the disciples that Jesus would be ascending. John’s version does not give us detailed instructions but one assumes that Mary told the disciples not only that Jesus would ascend but where and that the disciples were to meet him there. Yet, the disciples find themselves behind locked doors. It is understandable that having heard Mary’s words and perhaps of Peter, and the other disciple’s experience that they are a bit concerned. We now have at least three people who have witnessed something strange and are spreading the word about these strange occurrences but the disciples do not yet understand. Instead of opting to go out and explore this news or work with the people who have witnessed these things the disciples retreat indoors. They are afraid. It also sounds as though they have good reason to be afraid, because as news spreads about Jesus’ possible resurrection the disciples are worried about an attack from the Jews. The gathered disciples have heard Mary’s story but in fear they huddle behind closed, locked, doors.
I have sympathy for the disciples. After all, they are still coming to terms with their grief. It has only been a few days since they saw their friend and teacher, betrayed, beaten, and crucified. The marks of suffering are a reminder that there is no pretending that the ghastly events of the past days had not happened. And then, they hear words of a resurrection?! It is hard enough to deal with grief without added pressures of trying to discern what is truth and what is rumour. No wonder they are retreating in fear. No wonder they are huddled and hiding in their version of a garrison. Only these 10 have a shared experience of following Jesus only to see him crucified. Which actually makes me wonder, where was Thomas? If the other 10 were gathered in this house, what was Thomas doing that caused him to be out the moment Jesus appeared. Perhaps Thomas was the only disciple actually doing what Jesus had asked- going out and serving in the community. But I’ve preached on Thomas more than once- today it is on the other 10.
Jesus’ appearance and words of, “Peace be with you” brings reassurance. When Jesus appeared to Mary her tears and fear were transformed into relief and joy. His appearance to the disciples seems to have the same affect. Their fear is transformed into rejoicing. There is peace in Jesus’ presence but as I think of Mary Jo Leddy’s words I also think there is peace in the presence of others. As soon as we remove our fear or misunderstanding, our ignorance or prejudice, there is relief and rejoicing. There is peace in learning that we do not need to fear one another.
Jesus’ simple greeting is comforting. But it is also more than just a greeting. Its effect is similar to that of other resurrection stories, of Jesus appearing to Mary in the garden, of Jesus appearing to the two Marys after they see the angel, of Jesus appearing on the road to Emmaus. Jesus’ presence triggers the memory in his followers of his words, particularly the words spoken as Jesus’ bent down to wash their feet, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.”
Jesus follows up these words of greeting and peace with a commission and a gift. He sends the disciples. They are not to be huddled together in a home but out in the community. And in the event that they feel they are ill prepared for such a job, before they go, they are equipped with the Holy Spirit. Former Church of Scotland Ecumenical Officer, Sheila Kesting, adds these insights, “As Jesus had brought words from God, so they are to pass on the words they had received from Him. The words of peace, Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit, are not for them alone. The giving of the Spirit, Jesus’ breath upon them, echoes the words from creation in Genesis 2 [when God breathes upon Adam].” Jesus forms a new community commissioned to proclaim the Gospel of love and forgiveness, not fear and judgement. The sending out of the disciples and the gift of the Holy Spirit and the peace which Jesus offers work in conjunction with one another, or work in harmony with one another so that we do not need to be afraid. We do not need to run to our garrisons.
The church, and I mean the church at large but likely you can name instances where this is true in our own congregation, often feels as if it is in survival mode. We run the risk of fleeing to our garrison, of huddling together behind our locked doors, of making sure that other people don’t come in. Yet, Jesus walks amongst us because nothing can hold him back and says, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” We need to focus on the going out, more than the coming in. Amen

Let Go

Bible Text: Isaiah 65:14-25 and John 20:1-18 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes

Holy Bowlers

Bible Text: Luke 13:1-9 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes

With Thanksgiving

Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | In our “Anxious for Nothing” Bible study, each week we focused on a different verse from the Philipians text. Max Lucado used incredibly wise words to help us in our anxiety or frustrations or concerns. However, it is week three’s words that have had the greatest impact on me and influenced how I planned for our AGM. I have to admit that I don’t always look forward to the AGM. I get anxious just thinking about it. The third step to relieving anxiety comes from Philippians 4: 6. “In everything by prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Praying about the AGM is obvious and had been going on. But it was that little instruction between prayer and requests that caught me, “with thanksgiving.” There is so much going on at the church and we need to give thanks! Max said, “Gratitude is a mindful awareness of the benefits God has provided us in life.” There are an abundance of benefits in this church and today we get to celebrate them! Today we do not think of “if onlys” but “alreadys.” Today we do not dwell on what we are not but rather what we are. And we do it with thanksgiving. From the man who comes in every Friday to quietly rearrange the chairs to the woman who changes the banners to fit the church seasons. There are incredible things being done behind the scenes. I took the annual report and went through each report and offered them up to God with thanksgiving and something happened. I was not anxious about the meeting. The AGM is not supposed to be a meeting we dread but a celebration of all that is abundant and good in this church. Paul commands us to rejoice! Imagine, Paul writes these words from the horrors of a Roman prison. Yet, Paul gives reason for this rejoicing by stating that the Lord is near. And Paul tells us to focus our minds on what is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. Despite the struggles of being a church in the early 21st century we are surrounded by so much that is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. So let’s dive into the annual report with thanksgiving.
While the task of the archives committee is one of collecting and preserving important records it is also a Biblical practice. Even in our short 24 year history I have seen the way looking at those old photos brings back happy memories – from the first Easter service on the Janes Farm to the soil turning on this property. As we remember the days of old we are reminded of all the ways God has guided us to be a church in the Comox Valley.
Speaking of being a church – we are grateful for the opportunity to have a permanent building and one that is incredibly well kept. Thanks to the meticulous work of the Building Committee we not only have a place to worship but it is clean and cared for. Just this past year the Building and Maintenance committee dealt with 14 big and small projects. This building provides as space for us to grow in faith. The Harvest Gardens is a place where neighbours meet. As one of the neighbours who has a plot in the garden I know this to be very true. What a gift it is to the surrounding community.
This dwelling place allows us to learn. Through our Christian Education Committee we have Bible studies, the library and our Sunday School. The Sunday school teachers and those who assist them provide an amazing gift to our younger members and it is obvious that they enjoy coming and learning just by the utter joy that escapes their mouths when I say they can head off to Sunday School. But faithful learning is not limited to our children but also to us. Take the opportunity to attend those studies.
Leading with Care is an important piece to that as well. This committee makes sure that our policies are updated so that we can be the safest place for children, youth and adults to come and experience worship. Leading with Care enables us to make sure no one is hindered in their faith.
Thanks to the Church Breakfast we are able to learn not only about one another but also about other interesting people and resources that are available in the valley. Whether it is a talk about genealogy or development projects in Union Bay the church breakfast is not just about enjoying a meal together but enriching our minds.
Every month the Fellowship Group gathers, sometimes it is here at the church and sometimes it is over lunch. But it is their work in fund raising that is amazing. Three thousand dollars was raised at the Chili dinner for the roof and furnace fund. It is this group that also helps whenever there is a reception being held at the church and their knowledge of the kitchen is incredible. Fellowship is one of the first practices established in the early church. As evident in Acts 2:42 when it says. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
The Finance Committee works hard to not only make sure all the bills are paid, or that there is enough in the account to pay said bills, but they work diligently and thoughtfully to invest and use the funds entrusted to them. This is entirely possible because of the donations you give. It is not easy to talk about finances but we were so incredibly close to having no deficit last year. That is all thanks to your donations and the finance committee’s hard work! And thank you to the offering counters who each week do the careful work of counting those blessings.
One night while working late in my office a rental group was using the sanctuary, three women walked in and as they passed my office door I heard one woman say to the other, “Oh! this is the church with all the nativities. You must check them out this year.” Churches often have reputations in the community but this is a reputation I am proud to wear. With dozens of volunteers, over 200 sets and approximately 500 visitors, Joy to the World is a major part of the Christmas celebrations in this community.
While knitting is not a pre-requisite, I would not know how to knit had it not been for one of the ladies in the Ladies’ Circle. This gathering of women meets over devotions and tea and those who do knit bring out their most recent projects. They also maintain the Prayer Shawl project – offering prayer shawls to those in need of a special gift. It is one of the most relaxing ways to spend a Tuesday afternoon.
It is a blessing to have such an active Mission and Outreach committee. Acts 20:35 says
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”” Through this committee’s work we as a congregation cause ripple effects within our community and the wider church. In a couple of weeks I will be attending a performance by Hummingbird Ministries at the Women’s Gathering and I am told that some of the instruments being used are from last year’s lenten project.
Acts 20:28 says, “Pay careful attention to yourself and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God.” Pastoral Care is an integral part to our community and through the gift of card writing, a summer time tea, and visiting we continue to connect with one another in meaningful ways.
It is a very special thing to come together to intentionally pray. Prayer Group and Centering Prayer do this in two different ways. Prayer Group meets in the evenings and prayers are spoken aloud. Centering Prayer gathers each Friday to meditate in silence. These two groups personify in their special ways what it means to persevere in prayer. Even Tai Chi provides a prayerful expression through motion and balance.
Finally, it is our leadership, the session and Al, Elvera, and those who make sure things run smoothly each week that we celebrate. This past year we began our New Beginnings journey and as we look to implement some changes, programs and ministries, it is the leadership behind all these that will help us look to the future knowing that God is with us. In everything, we must give thanks to the Lord! And this thanks continues as I invite Mike Day, Wayne Penner and Heather Philip to come forward.

Staying Up

Bible Text: Luke 9:28-36 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes

Reasons to Forgive

Bible Text: Genesis 445:3-15, Luke 6:27-38 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes

Level Places

Bible Text: Luke 6:17-26 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes