Our worship service makes concrete the claim that we are bound to one another, not by the balance (or negative balance) in our bank account, but by the God who restores us to loving relationships with ourselves, one another, and God.
What’s in a name? A story and a promise. When we observe All Saints on Sunday, November 1st, we’ll participate in the story and promise of our faith. We’ll say the names of those in our community who’ve died in the past year and share some of their story. We’ll claim the promise Jesus made to them when he said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
All of these connections and more take place on site at COTR each week. This means each week people find healing, freedom, hope, and help. And each week I get to witness the work of the one who said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18-19)
One of my favorite memories of Tammie was when the church was using mandated medical masks as a COVID-19 precaution, and when I showed up to the church with a box of masks Tammie informed me that she would personally sit by the door to hand everyone a mask.
Angela* approached me during the worship service on Sunday morning. We had been taking steps that previous week to make her plan a reality. When I saw her walking towards me, I knew what she was going to ask. “Were you able to get me a bus pass?” “Yes,” I said. “The bus leaves this afternoon. You’re going home”, I told her. Tears welled up her eyes and she gave me a big hug as she said, “I’m going home!”
