From the Rector
Earlier this week, Joe and I were interviewing a new therapist for our son, James, who is on the autism spectrum. As she was playing with him to get to know his needs, we watched with delight as he showed off the new skills he has acquired in recent months—identifying shapes, colours, numbers, letters, and saying so many words! But we also engaged in conversation with the therapist about James’ history and our family background. We felt a very good rapport from the outset.
What stood out to me, though, was that when she asked us what we did for a living and found out that we were both priests, she seemed very happy to make a connection. “Oh, I’m Christian, too!” she said. So often, when I tell strangers about my vocation, I am met with surprise or awkwardness. This was the first encounter I have had, in Canada, in which I discovered a common interest with someone around our shared Christian faith.
As I reflect on this, it occurs to me that these days, it can be lonely to be a Christian. We are expected to keep our faith to ourselves unless someone asks us about it. I hear from my children that they are one of only a few people in their entire class whose families are Christian. They have been ridiculed for it in the past, and now they mostly keep quiet about it. I would imagine that most of us have made similar decisions, at some point, for the very same reasons.
While I don’t recommend standing out on a streetcorner with a neon posterboard, it does occur to me that if we don’t take the risk of declaring our faith to other people, from time to time, we won’t have the opportunity to make connections like Joe and I made with James’ therapist this week. It clearly meant a great deal to her to know that even in the course of her work life, she is not alone in being a person of faith.
As a church community, one of the most important things we do is support one another in our life of faith. We encourage one another. We check in on one another and offer a listening ear or a helping hand. We celebrate each other’s successes. We try to remind ourselves and one another that we are not alone in this life, and we are not alone in this journey of faith, wherever we might find ourselves on its path. But I would encourage us to remember that this same work extends beyond the family of this congregation. People in our daily lives may be walking that path of faith, and not feeling support. Just knowing that we are making the same pilgrimage may offer them some much-needed comfort and encouragement.
What do we say? Whatever the Holy Spirit tells us to say in the moment. Jesus urges us not to be anxious about that. But my prayer for us all is that, despite the uncertain responses we may face, we will grow in our courage to share our faith with others in our lives.
Blessings, Mother Terry+