The Lord has done great things for us
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3
Twenty eight years ago God did a unique and amazing thing when the community of faith known as Highview Community Church came into being.
I was there.
And I will always remember it as a wild beginning, an exhilarating ride, a moment in time that would be indelibly defining. Banding together with folks who were all-in, passionate about making the astonishingly good news of Jesus accessible to all, especially those who had become disenfranchised by the Church. Willing to do 'whatever it takes,' making sacrifices, pouring themselves out, ready to make a difference.
The pathway to all of that led us to some surprising destinations, both in terms of what it meant to be that Church on the Roundabout in Kitchener, and also where else on the planet risky faith would send us. As others joined us on the journey, we pursued visions and set strategies and were all intentional about it. And we also stopped and listened and hoisted our sails expectantly when the wind of the Spirit pushed us in completely different directions. It was sometimes hard to let go of some of what we imagined we might be, and step instead into who God was shaping us to be, but we were tenacious in love and worship, and kept adjusting and morphing until it became very much part of who we are to just keep growing with creativity and grace.
Somewhere along the way, and for a decent period of time, I found myself serving as the pastor of this beautiful community God was fashioning. It wasn't my original intention at all, but, simply I think because I kept saying yes to the next thing God asked me to do, I looked up one day and that's what I was doing. And Highview, it is no stretch of exaggeration when I say that walking with you in that capacity has been one of the single more amazing gifts of my life.
And so today, as we mark 28 years of this journey together, Highview, I just want to list all the reasons I love you so much.
- For your genuine, organic care for one another that is evident in oh so many practical, obvious ways.
- For taking the risk that it was at the time to embrace a female senior pastor.
- For the incredible, faithful generosity that has allowed us a long-haul love for widows and orphans in places far away from where we're planted, but close to the heart of God.
- For always seeking ways to engage our immediate neighbourhood, with gardens and concerts, garage sales, and even bus parking!
- For sharing our building with other faith groups, even when that means working through logistics.
- For showing up on clean up day!
- For being respectful to our Canadian geese couple who take over the bottom entrance every spring! That may seem silly to say so, but that kind of gentleness for God's creatures speaks volumes.
- For finding creative, sustainable ways to nurture our children and youth.
- For being "Small But Mighty" in so many authentic, impactful ways.
- For always doing the very best we can with what we've got.
- For allowing me to remain among you when my role changed.
- For embracing the imperfect in each other, and being a safe place to be real.
- For loving me and my family through some of the worst of the worst life has thrown at us, and for how I see you doing that all the time for anyone who needs it.
- For being such a hugging church!
- For the great food you bring to potlucks!
- For upholding and respecting biblically responsible preaching.
- For being so generationally integrated.
- For vibrant, God-oriented worship.
And honestly I could go on, but I'll leave it at that for now.
I love you Highview, truly, with all my heart.
Looking forward to celebrating together on Sunday!!!
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