From The Vicar: Followers of The Way

From The Vicar: Followers of The Way

From The Vicar: Followers of The Way

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From The Vicar: Followers of The Way

Dear Ones of St. Columba's,

Two thousand years ago, before the term "Christian" began to be used to describe people who were followers of Jesus, the disciples of Jesus and the people who they formed worshipping communities with were called followers of "The Way." We see these references in the book of Acts, and this was possibly the first name for the faith we follow, now called Christianity. I love this name for our faith, because it describes a practice, a path, and the implication is that there is a, well, a way to be Christian. 

Next week I am going on my annual backpacking retreat, a pilgrimage that I take sometime in the fall most years. Along with about ten other clergy, I will spend Monday to Friday next week hiking through Yosemite National Park, carrying all that I need for food, sleep, and recreation on my back. What I am realizing as I enter into the final "prep and pack" phase of my trip, is that there is no way I could make this trip without the right equipment, the right companions, and some amount of practice and skill.

Following the Way of Jesus is similar to my backpacking trip in these ways. We need the right equipment, the right companions, and some amount of practice and skill. 

This is why this year as a congregation we are going to follow the way. The way we are following and exploring together is The Way of Love, a series of practices that help equip us, together and as individual people, to follow Jesus in the world, the church, and in our lives with friends and family.  Our church, the Episcopal Church, has decided that this Way of Love is our way - a set of practices that equip us in particular to become more skilled and practiced in relationship with God and others. 

I want to ask you to take some time in the next week or two to watch this video on The Way of Love, and to consider engaging with us in following this way, this year at St. C's. You will hear much more in weeks to come about this journey we are embarking on together. As I am hiking this next week, taking time for prayer and retreat in the wilderness, I will also be thinking and praying about our journey, and the way we follow together in the year ahead.

with care and gratitude,

Alissa


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