Greetings Friends!
It cannot be said that Fall Kick 2020 was “the same ol’, same ol’.” In fact, it looked quite different than in years past, yet I believe it was a wild success. Many of you tuned into YouTube channel to watch a very full worship service – communion and all – and then joined in for the familiar Fellowship Time over Zoom. Many of you also came by for our parking lot meet-n-greet, which was a great opportunity to see so many of you in-person (for some, for the very first time!).
Our robust programming also has begun this Fall with quite a few events already happening. On Saturday, September 26, we had our first “Let’s Talk” session and were honoured to have Brad Marsden join us to discuss the history of residential schools and its impact on our indigenous neighbors. Sunday, September 27, marked our first Town Hall where a great number of you joined in to hear what’s happening within our community. Further conversation was shared about what we at Deer Lake United can do to reach out further to indigenous communities surrounding us.
Our small groups also have begun with the normal weekly Minister’s Study, with the additions of Bible 101 and the book study on The Heart of Christianity, which began before COVID hit but was never able to conclude. We also have the monthly Church 101 and Exploring Spiritual Practices beginning as well in October. Whether you want to deepen your faith through bible study, a book study, spiritual practices, a deeper understanding about the church, or conversation on each week’s sermon, there’s something for everyone as we seek to live into the resurrection of DLUC 2.0.
More of my thoughts regarding DLUC 2.0 will be coming out in the coming weeks and months ahead, but it is clear that the Spirit is moving within the Deer Lake United community. While resurrection is a process and brings hope for the future, we must also be reminded that that the Kin-dom of God is at hand now, today! There is much to be grateful for and to be excited about – even when so much seems so uncertain and causes us to be on edge. May we all take a deep breath in and remember that God is, indeed, with us.
Hope to see you each very soon!
the Rev. Dr. Joseph Kyser