Our short and sweet why!
What if I was to tell you that there are five outstanding reasons for the Church to exist? First it is to recognize that as human beings we all seek purpose and meaning, and the Church welcomes that search. Second, there’s joy in knowing that we are not wandering in this life alone, that in fact Someone is looking out for us in our times or moments of lostness and inviting us to a new wholeness or center. Third, that center is anchored in a belief in our creation by a loving Creator whom we grow to adore. Fourth, this life contains unexpected and unwanted griefs and troubles; we learn to love, and love opens us up to hurt. It is good to be comforted in such times within a loving and praying community. Fifth, and finally, it is helpful to have a place where we can explore our vocation and be equipped among friends for our callings in this life; to encourage our sense of contribution to this world; and to name our desire not simply to pass through this life but to be a change agent as we do.
So where have I seen this set out before? It rings a bell somehow? Fresh eyes often notice familiar things as new. And on Sunday, I found my attention drawn to the plaque on the wall just outside the sanctuary that proclaims that Grace Church exists to be a bridge for God’s children to come home through GRACE – Greeting the seekers, Restoring the lost, Adoring the Creator, Comforting those in need, and Equipping the saints to change the world.
Not only was this the purpose statement of the vestry of 2004,5,6, they were clearly committed to seeing it as foundational to our common life moving forward. They built it into the Sanctuary wall! They also had a sense of measured perspective about how we live these purposes – Grace is a community that acts as a bridge for people to engage these things. This is what we do. This is our why, and it is our offering. It is the grace for which God sustains us. Now, a bridge is a servant image. It exists to give people access to new territory. It allows us to cross over obstacles and difficult terrain. It connects places.
Last Tuesday I attended Rotary as a guest of several Grace parishioners. And as part of the procedure, they begin their meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance. As they turned to the flag and put their hands on their hearts, it took me a few seconds to realize – Oh! This includes me too. In April 2023 I became a US citizen, and this was my first opportunity to say the Pledge of Allegiance since that time.
What I am trying to say is that we are familiar with statements that that are so fundamental that they carry us over time. And I think the GRACE acrostic is one such declaration. Let us talk it back into living existence. And see our present and our moving forward in its reflection.
Bishop Alan
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