Another day ...

Last night I was once again called by one of the newpapers in Winnipeg and asked about how I felt about the revelations that the suspects in our fire are connected to a Norwegian musician who is in jail for burning down churches in Norway ... The reporter said that "fans" of his music have burned down churches around the world to "honour and celebrate" the man ...

How do I feel about this??

My answer was - profoundly sad ...
What kind of hate and anger and thoughtlessness would lead someone to stroll into a community where they know no one and torch a church that is an active living presence to that community?

Consider for a moment what was lost, beyond the building ...

1400 pounds of food gathered to supply the community food cupboard, which in turn serves those in our community who have food access issues...

a place for the community to gather in groups like Cubs and Beavers, Brownies and Sparks, and for social functions like showers and concerts ...

our town nursery school was not only rendered homeless, but they lost EVERYTHING, from the toys and books to the childrens' shoes ...

a meeting place heavily utilized by community groups from the Womens' Institute to the Health Auxilary to meet, educate and inspire ...

a place where the community gathered to eat and spend time together ...

a place to celebrate God's presence through the simple actions of a community eating, singing, praying and spending time together ...

The actions of three foolish, misguided people, along with those of others around the world who have in their thoughtlessness torched other places of worship have accomplished very little ...

They've deprived a community of an important place to gather, but more importatntly, they've reminded a community of what's important ... the relationships we've build and maintained within the building that once stood on Main St are far more important then the building itself. Those who thought they could accomplish something by burning down the churches in Brandon Hills and Minnedosa have accomplished something - but it isn't what they thought nor wanted ...

They've reminded all of us of what's really important, and in the process they've helped us focus on what it is that makes us Church ... and in that, those who wanted to hurt "the Church" have actually helped it ...

I can't nor won't say thanks for the action - but I can appreciate the process we're living right now that sees a community pick up the pieces and move forward one step at a time ...

dayenu,