“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
Hello, all! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and yours.
With the first month of my ministry with you all in the history books, I thank you all for the continued kindness and generosity that we have been blessed to receive from both communities. Though many of the traditional ways of getting to know you all are not immediately available, I am glad to get to know another name and face every day. Jean-Luc and I are appreciative for the support we have received before we can move into our place. We are hoping to be all moved in during the next few weeks, if for no other reason than that the Brussels church basement will no longer look like an annex for the thrift shop! All joking aside, we really are appreciative. Moving in the midst of a pandemic has been made all the easier by your prayers and support.
I have come to know the great sense of community that both congregations embody. In the careful discernment ongoing about re-entering plans, I see disciples that are taking seriously their call from Jesus to be concerned for the most vulnerable in our villages. In the meals and desserts being prepared and offered to the villages, I see an eagerness to be in God’s world, to be in relationship with others. In the efforts to stay connected with all our congregants and friends of the church, sharing in safe visits and watching services together, I see the truth revealed that where two or three are gathered, God is there. We are all connected and obliged to one another, a further echoing of all the heavens and earth that live out God’s glory and will.
We will also celebrate our connectedness in another way next Sunday, through Communion. For the pre-recorded online service for Thanksgiving Sunday, you are invited to have bread and your drink of choice with you to partake in the communion liturgy, presided over with Sandra Cable. We will also be further discerning the worshipping life of our congregations at the next Spiritual Growth Team meeting, to be held on Wednesday (October 7th) at 1:30 pm in Blyth.
Food, one of the purest ways to connect with others, is well-supplied by both congregations. Brussels still has pies available for Thanksgiving; Orders for pies can be given to Jean Davidson at 519-887-9318 as soon as possible. By the time of reading this, the Blyth ham supper drive thru will have likely occurred; many thanks for those who supported this dinner. Be sure to order tickets for their turkey dinner drive thru on Saturday Oct. 17th. For tickets, call John Stewart at 519-523-4528. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
The final announcement is that we will be having a Children’s time this Saturday, October 3rd, at 2 pm. As we are in the Season of Creation in our liturgical calendar, we will take the opportunity before the weather turns to enjoy an outdoor nature walk and time of fellowship. Families are invited to come to the east trail of the Stevenson Tract (on Morris Rd, just east of Clyde Line; the path we’ll walk along will be on the east/Brussels side of the bridge). I look forward to getting to know some of the families in our congregation better! Please dress appropriately, and masks will be required when physical distancing isn’t possible (i.e. in the parking lot). Please reach out to me ahead of time to ensure that we maintain safe numbers and have enough materials for the kids. Email or texting/calling my cell is the best method of contact at this point. And ideas about how youth ministry will look like in the rest of the season are greatly appreciated!
Celebrate and partake in the many new and renewed ways that we are living out our bond as members of the Body of Christ. Be sure to send this letter along to others who might be interested to read it. Reach out to and pray for one another, and take comfort in the endurance of our communities of faith in this time of struggle. The Peace of Christ be with you all.
Yours in Christ,
Alex Jebson
Student Minister – Blyth and Brussels United Churches
Email: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com
Blyth Office Number: 519-523-4224
Brussels Office Number: 519-887-6259
Emergency Pastoral Number: call/text 705-344-3385
Feature Photo by Mike Erskine on Unsplash
Brussels & Blyth United Churches 