RoundAbout Centennial
Web
Edition
Summer 2003
[Home] THE MINSTER'S NOTE [Next
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During the eighties and early nineties I
traveled all over rural and urban British Columbia, promoting the Mission
Funds that allowed us to operate.
One of the One of the most
difficult "spots" in getting a congregation "on board" was walls within
the local church. Some of these "walls" just would not permit united
support for very worthwhile projects from that congregation.
Once,
when I visited a small-town congregation, the minister gave me a tour of
the sanctuary. I looked up to see dark streaks running down the interior
tower walls. "Oh," I said, you have water damage, too."
"No," he
replied, and led me up to the balcony for a closer look.
I saw that
the streaks seemed thick. "Touch it," he said. I did. It was sticky.
"Taste it," he said. I did. It was sweet. My knees went weak.
It
was honey. I reached for the pew back to steady myself while every
scripture passage about honey raced through my mind. "You have honey
running down your walls," I finally said. "Have you preached on this'" He
seemed confused by my question and went on to tell me how they had
repointed the bricks in the tower and found a massive honeycomb inside it.
After clearing it out and repairing the bricks, the bees had returned and
now the honey was running through the walls. He spoke so calmly and
unaffectedly that I did not pursue the matter. But I thought about it for
months.
Later, on another trip, I found myself in a tense
ecumenical discussion in a taxicab on the way to Toronto Airport. I told
the story of the honey in the tower walls. When I finished, my colleague
told us about friends who had a similar situation in their old farmhouse.
Eventually, he said, the walls had collapsed under the weight of the
honey. Once again, the image of the church tower walls collapsing filled
my imagination.
I now pray for a sweet dismantling of walls that
divide us. God's transforming love will tear down the walls that many in
the church have built, and nothing will stand against it for very
long.
I look forward to seeing you all in September and Donna and I
wish you all peace and honey in your
walls.
Rev.
Donald C.
Isner
With
thanks to Diane Strickland of Calgary.
Board Chair Report
It is wonderful to me how well the people of
Centennial pull together and help each other out. There is always someone
available to supply what is needed most, a ride, a hug, a meal or just an
ear.
At the church picnic at the Fisher's farm many people
mentioned how great it was that we could all get together and have a great
time, from the youngest to the oldest there all had more then enough to
eat and a great time watching and or playing the games. Special thanks to
those who organized the event, to the Fisher's for the use of their farm
and most of all to all those who came, brought great food and made the day
a great success.
On the note of food, to help raise funds for the
church a cookbook is being put together of Centennial's recipes, we ask
that everyone contribute to make the book a success. (For more information
about the cookbook talk to Norma Hardy).
Hope you are all enjoying
your summer, and that any trips you take lead you back safely to
home.
Jean Grimshaw