All Saints Anglican Church
TIME TO CELEBRATE
A family reunion hosts a newborn baby and a 90th birthday, a wedding with giggling bridesmaids and sunglass-clad groomsmen, attending a Christening in an historic church, a gathering at a cottage bursting at the seams with folk preparing for a great feast, joining in a summer festival on a sunny afternoon, watching a theatre production under the stars or just rocking on the porch with a sweet glass of lemonade and an old friend by your side - summer celebrations all.
I have a confession to make: My favourite summer celebration is when I slip into a church with an ocean view and sit in the back pew to hear again God's love for me and my neighbour.
The most fun, of course, is listening to a sermon that I have not sweated over for days.
Early in July I heard a fine preacher at St. Mark's Anglican Church, in Qualicum Beach, Archdeacon Alan Naylor. He reminded us the origins of the word "celebrate" meant "a gathering of people."
When I participate in the gathering of the community to give thanks to God for all the blessings that are given, then I am in the fullness of a great "celebration." Imagine, God's people gathered and a party too!
Whether you are chasing a twoyear-old down a rainy beach, or remembering past summers with loved ones no longer present, or singing a beloved hymn about "Fairest Lord Jesus," may you find your "celebration" every day of the year.
