April 23rdOne Sky Over All: Building Faith and Community
- by George Best
The school where I did my undergraduate degree had a motto “One Sky Over All”. I was grounded in a studies of social development, peace and conflict and restorative justice. The spirit of God provided a framework and foundation for the narrow road ahead. I pondered how God led me through these interesting studies when the passage from the Matthew 25 and words of Jesus, confirmed my call. “When you did it onto these the least, you have done it onto me.” My employment was with Provincial Probations as a social worker.
“When you see the breeze blowing softly on the grass or the shapes of the spaces between the branches of the trees, the multiple colours of flowers in the garden, that is the mystery of God’s abundant love. You can hear God in a still small voice.”
After my Masters degree I went straight to prison, as a chaplain. By this time our family moved closer to the prison capital of Canada in Eastern Ontario. We were founding members of Kingston Mennonite Fellowship a house church within MCEC. Those in attendance were often street people and some prisoners from the various Federal institutions who were permitted out on a day pass. Here the silent questions could be asked out loud. One person asked John, “How do you know there is a God?”
He answered: “When you see the breeze blowing softly on the grass or the shapes of the spaces between the branches of the trees, the multiple colours of flowers in the garden, that is the mystery of God’s abundant love. You can hear God in a still small voice.”
Our church was held in a house, the Catholic men’s student residence at Queen’s University campus. Our plan for each Sunday afternoon was simple: Devotions were led by individuals who were moved to lead; Songs were chosen from the recycled hymn books “The Mennonite Hymnal” and prayers were offered surrounding the people’s challenges and blessings on the street or from their prison cells. We set the table for our pot luck meal to celebrate our coming together as if remembering that our gathering could be a last meal together of any one of us.
An extra chair and place setting at the table was our custom. No one knew what could happen in the days and weeks following: a problem on the street, hospitalization from sickness or violence, transfer to another institution or release for the prisoners. God’s spirit surrounded us in helping trust to grow, encouraging a creation for new beginnings, for a deeper peace. (Hebrews 10:25) Table time was a spiritual treasure more valuable than any personal possession or gold.
Prayer: Lord God, you are our one and true creator. May the sky over all of us affirm and renew our strength of faith. Lead us like you led Moses and Abraham into the wilderness. Encourage us to be ready for those new beginnings in a spirit of obedience and renewed hope. Help us build with the least amongst us right relations and community from below. Let us have faith to create space and give voice to the voiceless. (Proverbs 31:8)
- George Best is a retired ordained MCEC pastor