At the August 23rd service nine of us who regularly worship at St. Andrew’s United joined with Okotoks United worshippers at Okotoks. The service was led by Amy Haynes. At the beginning of the service during the announcement time, a gift was presented to Sophia Su for her musical ministry with the pastoral charge this summer. Following this presentation, we were introduced to Rev. Marco Ste-Marie by the chair of the Joint Search Committee upon which Marco spoke for a couple of minutes before we once again heard Amy. Amy read the scripture Romans 8:12-26 which speaks of being led by the Spirit. Amy’s message was entitled “Holy Anticipation.” As practitioners of faith, we are called forward as the church to practice our faith in the presence of the resurrection as God continues always to be intimately present in our lives as we are led by the Spirit.
On Wednesday, August 26th, nineteen people gathered at St. Andrew’s United to greet Marco and welcome him to ‘The little church with a big heart.’ As we shared food and conversation Marco was able to speak with us around the tables. Thanks to Wilma for organizing this important event, for all who brought food, for Mark for taking pictures, and for Marco for being amongst us for the first time in his ministry.
The August 30th service saw twenty-two worshipers gather with Marco for his first service with us at St. Andrew’s United. Marco told us that we are the third St. Andrew’s United he has ministered with in his ministry. This service was our first service without bulletins as the service was on the overhead. The scripture reading was Psalm 126 which says in verse six “Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” Marco entitled his message “Carrying Seeds.” He spoke of remembering the past because it is sacred but continuing forward as God’s work through us continues and is still becoming. As we remember we continue to keep becoming for we are responsible for sowing the seeds we carry with us. We are not to be ashamed of any tears for as we sow the seeds we participate together with joy as the ‘sheaves’ are gathered. For we continue to do this together as ‘the little church with a big heart.’
– P. Marie Wedderburn