Church is a community of like-minded people

Part of my experience at Memorial University of Newfoundland was listening to a new young folk group called Great Big Sea. Since then, they’ve gone on to produce 20 group albums and several solo ones as well. Members of the band have written books and been in movies, yet woven through all their success and creative endeavours is the thread of Newfoundland. It’s the place where they are from and it informs everything they do.

Life changes, yet The Rock remains. People are born, grow up, move away and die, yet The Rock remains. Community remains. Family remains.

That’s what The United Church of Canada is like for me. It’s a family. It grows and shrinks. It’s called different things. It moves around and yet, in the midst of it all, the core essence of what it means to be church is a community of ordinary people seeking to live into the teachings of Jesus and a deeper relationship with God.

It’s an understanding that we are all part of God’s love and grace without exception, without bias, without preconditions or the requirement to deny some part of who you are. It’s the commitment to live out Jesus’s call to action, social justice, love of neighbour and of creation. It’s a willingness to embrace the future with God’s help and guidance. These core truths always remain. These become touchstones of our faith no matter what we call our community, where it meets, who its minister is or how large the congregation. For me, The United Church of Canada is a place where everyone, absolutely everyone, is welcomed, wanted and accepted.

On Sept. 24, The United Church of Canada in Prince George made a decision that will change how we live out our ministries in our community.

That was the day that St. Andrew’s United and Knox United decided that they are stronger, more vital, viable, and vibrant together, than they could be apart.

Anyone who has tried to merge two families knows this was not an easy decision. It wasn’t taken lightly.

It was done with many conversations, care, compassion, under- standing and lots of prayer. We stand on one rock and for us, unity in Christ is part of the foundation upon which we stand. Each congregation was similar and different, yet we can trace the rivers of our lives back to one source: God. That’s what gives us strength. That’s what guides our vision and our mission.

It was a tough decision. For some it was one they never wanted to see happen. For others, a decision that’s taken far too long to be a reality. For many people, each congregation is synonymous with parts of our city. Each one has a vibrant history that has woven itself into the social fabric of Prince George. Each will also have a legacy to share, even as a new congregation is being built.

Yes, the two congregations will merge into something new on Jan. 1. Yes, there will be tears as both congregations say farewell to who they were and what they’ve known. Yet, we have more in common than different.

The United Church of Canada is alive and well in Prince George. We have a common heritage. A common rock and foundation. The name will change, yet the people, the open, inclusive, welcoming, and accepting community – will remain the same.

The commitment to serving the city of Prince George and beyond will remain the same. Being a place where questions are welcomed and seekers affirmed, will remain the same.

Life is a grand adventure with God and now we will be able to share that with each other and with our community as one united church.