Page 24 - pc_Issue6_Summer2018
P. 24

 24
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2018
presbyterian.ca
Connection
NEWS AND EVENTS
  Minister Emeritus
in New Brunswick
He provides pulpit supply to these three congregations, as well as oth- ers within the Presbytery and the United Church of Canada. When St. James was without a minister be- tween 2009–11, the Rev. Lowery provided stated supply. In addition, he assists when needed with pas- toral care (including funerals and hospital visits), and he is a fount of wisdom to many presbyters. He has been an active contributor to congregational life in each of our congregations, whether serving on the Board of Managers (St. James), singing in the choir (Knox) or attend-
ing the various activities organized by each church.
On top of that, the Rev. Lowery continues to attend a number of presbytery meetings throughout the year and is active on the Presbytery of New Brunswick’s General Com- mittee, which is made up of elders and clergy from the Greater Freder- icton area, as well as The Presby- terian Church Building Corporation.
The Rev. Lowery has been a blessing through his gifts of preach- ing, pastoral care, wisdom and presence. His faith and ongoing ser- vice to Christ’s ministry is inspiring.
 On April 25, the Presbytery of New Brunswick honoured the Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery with the title Minister Emeritus at St. James Presbyterian Church (Hanwell), Knox Presbyterian Church (Harvey) and Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Fredericton).
In 2011, the Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery celebrated his 50th year of ordina- tion. Having served in other congre-
gations throughout Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, he re- tired from St. James Presbyterian Church in 2001 after serving as the minister for 12 years.
Although he is retired from min- istry, the Rev. Lowery continues to be a great ministerial support to the congregations and ministers of St. James, Knox and Saint Andrew’s.
REFLECTIONS
The Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery.
 My Spiritual Home
 Adapted from My Life: From Bermuda to Vancouver Island, written by the
Rev. Iris M. Ford, retired diaconal minster, minister of Word and Sacraments who led church extension work in Kitchener-Waterloo, currently living on Vancouver Island
Our eternal spiritual home is in heav- en, but my spiritual home throughout my life on earth is the church. When I think of my life, all eighty-five years of it, I have been welcomed by a church in the community where I served and felt right at home there. But as the years went by I noticed tremendous changes happening in church. There are massive changes, too, in society. When I think about life in Bermuda years ago, for instance, there was no running water, no cars, no furnaces warming us. Now we have it all. But have the changes brought about spir- itual growth?
The church as my spiritual home has guided me throughout my life. Do I feel at home now? I am not so sure about that.
When we look around at the mod- ern Canadian society, things are changing rapidly. The culture is more individualistic now. But the Christian faith has not changed any in the past one thousand years, and church worship is similar to the worship of early Christians in a cave, where they were safe from persecution. What would the early disciples do today if they were living in modern society?
The problem these days is that we live in a “me centered” culture. How can we reach out to the Lord when
all we are thinking about is “me”? Other idols in our society are materi- alism, individualism and money. It is a secular society, where everyone is so busy we have no time for church. We can still try to build up his church, but it is the Holy Spirit who guides us into being a loving, spiritual com- munity both in our church and in our secular community.
luxury-living types and the sapped, manipulated and sinking working populations. There is no time to stop and look at the whole picture. No time for church.
Where is God’s voice today? Where is the music of the soul? As people live through a day now the rhythms of life are slow and de- manding. Music is fast and choppy. Where in a day of honest work are the gentle hours and calm desires, the healthy sports, good manners and spontaneous joy and good hu- mour? Reading good poetry aloud to one another, gazing and wondering at the stars, engaging in contemplative discussion, helping each other move and bend to God’s absolute truths— these things that are soul nourishing and involve the whole self are often missed in society today.
Generation X will tell us that they are deeply spiritual, but they un- derstand spiritual to mean a real- ity beyond this world. Young people wonder today why their parents, as church people, think of themselves as spiritual, when spiritual means believing in a reality beyond one’s reach. The modern church needs to pray for humble spiritual leader- ship as we follow Christ and attend a church that is trying to reach out in love and deep caring.
Church leaders today need to face the way they are ministering in this modern world and maybe adjust their way of preaching the Gospel. Yes, modern music is often jazzy com- pared to ancient hymns. But the Lord will give us the message, it is the
 The world is changing fast and the church needs to hear God’s call.
We need to take a good look at society today. Many think it is bent on a collision course with itself, and young people feel as if their lives are heading for trouble. They don’t feel at ease in a church worship service. The inner life can quickly become a foreign country. Who fits in now? If people become more and more reli- ant on a mechanical, robotic technol- ogy, which changes so quickly, they become fragmented and in danger of becoming more like the things they rely on. Some things, of course, are useful as today’s tools, but in all the rattle and dash gaps grow wider between the grasping, greedy,
method that needs to change.
The world is changing fast and the church needs to hear God’s call, and answer asking the Lord to help us change the way we reach out to all. When Jesus was on earth he indicat- ed that not many would be interested in serving him, so I am surprised at how many actually do come to church today. Let’s welcome all with
love and a big hug.
As I have written the story of my life the Lord has been with me through- out. I wish all my readers God’s love and support as you also go through life. May you find a place of worship that draws you close to the Lord in prayer and fellowship. As the Gospel of John 4:24 says: “God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” Yes the spirit world is amazing. I’ll meet you there.
  Worship resources, misison and ministry news, pulpit vacancies, directories... find it all at presbyterian.ca






























































   22   23   24   25   26