Peace

A big snow day at the farm. White blanketing the fields and the dikes. Heading in this morning a coyote popped up out of a ditch to watch me drive by. Heavy winter coat, and a neck ruff standing up with a frosting of snow crystals beading the ends of the fur. I marvel that after thirteen years of riding a desk for the union I find myself working in such close proximity to nature. (not that I'm suggesting that the strange environment in which office workers toil is not, in it's own way, nature)

Yesterday we had our annual Christmas Pageant at St. George's. New costumes, new painting on the back panel and a lot of new kids having a great time. Last night was our lessons and carols service. Only about forty came out in the sloppy streets weather but the joy that comes with this reading of the birth story, each reading followed by a carol, was wonderful.

I re-read, Sing a New Song, this morning. The book paints a flattering portrait of each of four Anglican bishops who have served in British Columbia. The section on Michael Ingham, the current bishop of The Diocese of New Westminster, contains an elegant exposition of the the call that Michael has lived out since being called to the priesthood and, latterly, to serve as our bishop.

The great controversy in our Anglican community here in New Westminster, and by extension the perceived central matter of Bishop Michael's tenure is so often identified as being the Synod's decision to bless same sex relationships and the Bishop's implementation of that decision. Whether this decision is validated by the test of time is any one's guess, though I pray that it is.

For myself, I see the true legacy of his calling to be his work on liturgical change in our communion, on interfaith dialogue, on an open expression that the Spirit moves through different peoples and cultures in forms other than Jesus Christ and on his inclusiveness with children and youth. As important a step forward in our faith journey as validation of committed relationships in the gay community is, it is only a small piece of this wonderful man's ministry.

Community makes this a life filled with grace.