While it is unlikely that I can meet with all of the 437 communities of faith in my three regional councils in any given year, I certainly have connected with a good number of them over the last year. A few things are clear.
We are all struggling. We are all facing an uncertain future. Congregations that are running out of money, others who are running out of people. Disciples who are unsure how to speak to their friends and neighbours about faith because they are worried about being painted with a particular brand of Christianity that is antithetical to the one we offer. Communities of faith that are struggling to find ministry leadership with a dwindling pool of possible ministers. Church buildings that take up all our time and resources, making it harder and harder to focus on actual ministry.
The birth of Christ offers us a chance to turn a new page and prepare for something unexpected and new. I want to share a weekend I recently had, which was appropriately the first Sunday of Advent – Hope Sunday.
I had the immense privilege to speak to a group of more than 100 young people from across Canada for a very first gathering of Francophone youth – Réunis – in Orford, Québec (Eastern Townships). It was a lively, energetic, thoughtful and engaged group that were eager to speak about their sense of belonging with their church and their communities. It was so exciting to be a part of that enthusiasm.
The next morning, I had the chance to worship with the folks at Kitchissippi United Church in Ottawa and speak with an incredible group of LGBTQ+ refugees. They call themselves ‘God’s Beloved’ and are happy to find a church home that welcomes them as they are. The stories they shared of how they escaped situations where their lives were in danger reminded me why affirming congregations can be beacons of hope in a world that isn’t always safe or free from fear.
Later that day, I gathered for a candlelight vigil in front of Trinity-Saint Andrew’s United Church in Brighton to reclaim the rainbow steps as sacred space after they were defaced again with spray paint and with the word ‘Stop’ sprayed on the front door. It was also World AIDS Day, which had me considering the early days of the AIDS crisis, when I would join with members of my community to walk through the streets of Toronto holding candles and feeling as if the world didn’t care that our people were dying. To be gathered on rainbow steps in a small town with the mayor, members of the town council and so many allies was another testament to how far we’ve come. And a powerful statement about God’s love.
As I give you this sample weekend in the life of a Regional Executive Minister, I want to tell you how many other stories of incredible ministry are going on in the church. The weekend was a reassurance that God’s not done with this United Church of ours. Our ministries, in all their diversity and with all our challenges, are an instrument of God’s hope in this world.
Wishing you, your ministry and your family the most blessed Christmas and a hope-filled New Year.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly
Regional Executive Minister
