New Beginnings, New Challenges, New Blessings Orleans United Church

Last week, a good friend of mine said, “For me, back to school always had a “start the New Year” feeling more than January does.” I thought about this and I have to agree with him.

September is the start of a new season, one in which we celebrate the brilliance and glory of the autumn colours and prepare to face the onslaught of another winter just around the corner.

September is the time for students to start a new school year. And, for those who have been on vacation over the summer, we notice a distinct change in the pace of work and life. Sports and hobby groups begin again. New projects begin at work. And it is canning and pickling season, especially at our house.

For us at Orleans United Church, September brings the beginning of the new church school year, the restarting of committees and council, and the fresh new look of our sanctuary.

Yes, this is a time for new beginnings. A time when we enthusiastically look ahead and glimpse into the future of what could be.

But new beginnings also bring new challenges, new obstacles to conquer, new paths to follow. I am sure that John and Tania as well as Phillip and Katie already know this well. Children have a way of changing our lives and starting us down new paths that can be challenging. There is the feeding and caring, diaper changes, the late nights and early mornings, the crying and restlessness.

But then you are blessed – daily by that bundle of joy with the little smiles, the hugs and the loving gaze.

As a community of faith, Orleans United Church has also been invited to new beginnings. In 1985, when Liz and I first arrived in Orleans, we were looking for a new church home. We happened to visit a group of believers that were meeting in a high school gym. It was a young and vibrant congregation that invited us to become members.

When we arrived, there was discussion on the building a permanent home for Orleans United Church. It was an invitation to a new path and, of course, new challenges. I remember the community pulling together and literally raising the roof on our new home. And, that final walk down Orleans Boulevard to our new home was the culmination of that journey.

And since that time, we have been invited to embark on several new beginnings; searching for and engaging new clergy and staff, reaching out to the community as a beacon of support and hope, opening our doors to other denominations and faith groups, providing a safe and welcoming place for vulnerable individuals, and discerning key decisions on social issues such as same-sex marriage and right relations with First Nations.

And once again, we have taken on another new beginning. With the retirement of Glen and after thoughtful and prayerful discussion, we have invited Reverend Caroline Penhale to be our spiritual guide. As we begin this new phase in our journey, we look ahead to the possibilities. At the same time, we need to be mindful of the challenges that lie ahead. But I am confident, after observing this church family for over 30 years, that we are ready and willing to conquer any challenge that come before us. I also believe that we as a community will receive unexpected blessings as we travel together with Caroline and Molly and Suzanne.

As individuals, we too are invited to new beginnings. They can be invitations that are dramatic in nature. They can be quiet and subtle. They can be invitations that linger for a while as we either try to ignore them or we ponder whether to accept them.

43 years ago last month, my wife’s girlfriend, Sharon, asked her to the Matron of Honour at her wedding to a young Armor Corps officer, Gary. Mind you, Sharon also was the Maid of Honour at our wedding earlier in the same year. The ceremony was held at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Petawawa in August 1973. I did not know Gary well before then – in fact, no one wanted to associate with a Military Police officer – so I wa...