Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Ezekiel 12: 3,4
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5)
Sometimes you have to be the first to walk across the room. (Bill Hybels)
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what it means for a church to really say that “All are Welcome”. We say that at Bethel. In fact, its on our sign at front. And for the most part we actually mean it. We really do welcome people. We are delighted to include newbies in all of the activities and shenanigans that we get up to. Visitors in worship are greeted with warmth and inclusion. Anyone who shows up to our events is greeted with open arms.
And that’s really wonderful.
But I wonder if we’re ready to go the next step with our inclusion.
I wonder if its time that the inclusion became “what we do” outside of the church building as well, and that we extend our welcome into the whole of our lives, not just the compartmentalized part of that is in the building at the corner of Port Elmsley Rd and County Rd. 1.
Let me give you a bit of context.
In the past couple of weeks I have been someone who has “held space” (just a fancy word meaning I’ve been around to hear their story) of someone who has basically been ostracized from their church community. It’s a complicated, messy story, that includes the break up of a relationship, as well as a long history of trauma and mental health difficulties. Ultimately, this story has meant that their have been some very hurt feelings, and yes, the actual exclusion of this individual from activities within their faith community.
In my mind this is blatantly abusive. And blatantly exclusionary. And my heart is broken that people who profess to be followers of Jesus, the same way that I profess would treat this person this way. It breaks my heart also because I’ve been there. Different setting, same result.
Hospitality and welcome, in my mind are two absolutely bottom-lines for church community.
But at the same time, this week, I was beginning to make plans for Thanksgiving and Advent, and I had several people in our own community tell me that they spent both of those holidays alone. I recognize that gathering was kind of dicey during the seasons of Covid lockdowns and I’m pretty sure that this was just that they were overlooked, rather than anyone deliberately excluding them. But I wonder:
What do you think God thinks when people are overlooked? And what is our responsibility to the “lost lambs” of our community? I kind of think that overlooking someone is as painful to them as blatantly excluding someone.
So, in the face of blatant exclusion.
In the face of benign exclusion
And in the face of conflict.
Our faith stories tell us that we need to make room at OUR table. Make room at our table for those that may not have enough for their own table. For whatever reason. Like the Ezekiel passage says – if what we have is too small then the neighbours will share. We also need to make room at the table for those experiencing blatant exclusion and conflict – as the very familiar Psalm 23 says “thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies”.
We just need to make room at our table. Because that’s what God is calling us to.
So my dear Bethel friends, I’m hoping as we go into Thanksgiving and Advent, or even if you’re just hanging around in your own spaces, I hope you’ll consider what it means to show hospitality and welcome to everyone. It might mean you’ll have to examine your own selves and be honest about who has been overlooked and who you’ve come into conflict with. And maybe we are the ones who will “walk across the room” and welcome our neighbour.
Blessings today and remember you are Loved,
~Rev. Lynne