Anyone who has coordinated events in the past 20 months has heard words like “pivot” or “hybrid” more times than they want to recall – these feel like business jargon. How many “Zoom” meetings or family gatherings have you participated in over the past year-and-a-half? Some of us have felt pushed, cajoled, and yes, even sometimes excited, to learn the lessons that businesses learned long before we knew the word “COVID”. It is about adapting, being resourceful – and adapting we did at St. Andrew’s, frequently. We have been blending and partnering in creative ways, making choices we never would have considered prior to 2020.

Now, when I say “we”, you might think that this is an elite team (like Navy Seals or our C.A.F. Snowbirds) of leaders making grand decisions in times of crisis. The truth is, though, that “we” includes you, me, and every person who feels that we have a stake in the flourishing of God’s Vision for St. Andrew’s United Church, in downtown Sudbury. I started adding “… in downtown Sudbury” talking about St. Andrew’s with the onset of live streaming, welcoming worshippers from across Ontario, and the world – ask Mallon, our technology genius, about his family members in Ghana witnessing little Roger’s baptism! This is a new world, and it is exciting ministry that we are called to, together. This is modern-day discipleship.

Christian Biblical stories offer a glimpse into the “job description” of a disciple, a follower of Jesus in our modern time. Grounded in Gratitude, Built Up by strong Relationships, and Strengthened as we are reminded that we each have what we need to answer the call to discipleship. We don’t just have the bare minimum; Abundance is given us by our Creator, as illustrated in the Gospel story of Jesus answering great need by multiplying loaves and fishes to feed thousands! (see Mathew 14, Mark 6, & John 6). We celebrate God’s promise to not just give us “enough”, but an abundance, even in times of crisis.

This Fall 2021 Stewardship Program will be an opportunity to celebrate Gratitude, Strong Relationships, and the Abundance are ours and share. In pandemic times, we have had to let go of many things, loved ones and ways of connecting. We grieve this loss. But, out of this pandemic crucible, we have recognized our strength, appreciated more profoundly our relationships, and discovered resiliency in and around us as we have never seen before.

Each year around this time, we all are invited to prayerfully take stock of all the ministries of St. Andrew’s, and to ask the question: What does St. Andrew’s mean to me? What does Worship, the Reaching Out to our most vulnerable members and the downtown community, and the work that Mission & Service does on our behalf around the globe mean to me? This is a “season” (Ecclesiastes 3) to be reminded how blessed we are. This is a time to be captivated by what God’s dream is for you, for me, for us. What might God be up to? Join as we discover together. Thank you so much!

(Rev.) Dave Le Grand
Minister St. Andrew’s United Church (Sudbury)