While some of my previous reflections did address changes in ministry over the years, they did not address changes in the congregation and in the area in which the church building is located.  Having been at St. Luke’s Zion for 25 years, I have seen a lot of people come and go, and I have heard many stories about both the merger with Zion and the history of our current building.  Of late, I have been conscious of the visible changes in this part of the city, which can be both sad and hopeful.

            Twice within the past month or so, I have arrived at the church to find a dead deer in the ditch or on the lawn.  As the traffic increases and the deer habitat gets smaller, more are meeting their demise in collisions with vehicles.  This saddens me, as well as all those who have appreciated the presence of the deer over the years.

            In a similar vein, there has been a noticeable increase in traffic noise.  When we had outdoor services over the past few years, traffic noise was always in the background.  There have also been days when the outdoor microphone that picks up the sound of the bell has sent traffic noise through the sound system.

            At the same time, many years have been spent in this location, waiting for the day when the city would finally expand into the area around the church.  Those were the city plans at the time it was built, and it has taken 45 years for that expansion to happen.  While there are no guarantees that those who move into the area will come to St. Luke’s Zion, we can no longer claim that the church is “too far” for people to come.  Soon, we will have a whole new set of neighbours!

            This, too, can feed into both hopes and fears.  Will more traffic lead to more vandalism?  Will we be able to welcome some new people who have moved in nearby?  Will we lose the “rural” feel of the place?  Will we be in exactly the right place in order to share God’s love with all people?

            There is an old saying that goes “bloom where you are planted.”  No excuses.  No lamenting the what-ifs.  Just taking what God has given us and being as faithful as possible.  And who knows where that might lead?

            These days, I continue to ask questions about the land that is part of the church property and what might represent the best stewardship of this resource.  How could it be used in a way that would serve the community?  How could a “green space” of some sort be preserved?  What sort of land uses would actually be permitted by the city?  Are there organizations that might partner with us?  While answers have not yet emerged, it is good to continue asking the questions!

            As the season of Advent begins, I have been thinking about both endings and beginnings.  It is always sad when good things come to an end – like when a loved one dies, or a congregation closes, or a close friend moves away.  At the same time, most endings lead to new beginnings, a thing that can be scary, but is also filled with hope.

            God, it seems, is always promising to do a new thing, like in Isaiah 43:19. “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”  May we see it together during this season of hope and expectation!

            In Christ,

            Pastor Lynne Hutchison