Wednesday Wonder September 6, 2023

September seems to offer us a chance to think about starting over. It has been referred to as the other new year. Indeed, it often feels more like a new start than does January when we flip the calendar to a new year. September brings a return to routine. Sometimes we fall back into familiar routines of work, school and retirement. Sometimes we begin new routines of those very things as we start new jobs or new schools, maybe this fall is the first of your retirement. Whatever stage of life we find ourselves in, this time of year brings beginnings.

For me, that is true. While I may have begun working at Kingsview July 1^st, it is September which brings the start of all the activities, groups, meetings, etc. that go along with the return to routines. Like the rest of life, the church has a life cycle to it as well. From the quieter summer months to the fall busyness which carries on through Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter until we celebrate Pentecost and summer is upon us again.

No matter what our stage of life, September brings a time to reflect and renew. We begin again with building routines, connections and relationships. As a community of faith, our routines begin again now too. We have the opportunity to start back to what we know, to start something new, to create the path we want to travel next.

When Jesus began his ministry, he started on a path that literally wandered around his country. His disciples followed this path until they were prepared to find their own. During their time with Jesus they were in awe and wonder much of the time at what he could do, how he interacted with people and how he expressed what his mission was. We too, spend time in wonder at what our Creator has provided as a home for us, at the diversity of people and places. We are in awe and wonder at the stories of Jesus, no matter how well we think we know them. We wonder at how those things he spoke of two thousand years ago can still feel so real today.

Wonder is defined as a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable when used as a noun. Or to express curiosity or doubt when used as a verb. It is a very human part of life. Each Wednesday, I hope to offer you my ‘Wednesday Wonder’. What has made me think this week? Where has God been found this week? What simply connected to me this week? I will offer my perspective and in doing so, pray that you may find some wonder too.

As we enter September and its time of beginning, I am in wonder at how we all desire to make connections, build relationships and want to belong. And I wonder… how can we, the people of Kingsview United church do that together as we start this ‘new’ year?

Peace,
Rev. Mary-Jane