Page 15 - Presbyterian Connection

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SUMMER 2024
Unveiling a Memorial Plaque at Wexford
By the Rev. Sandrah Mashingaidze, Wexford Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Ont.
On April 7, the church was filled with a vibrant tapestry of faces, representing diverse cultures and generations, all united in a powerful moment of remem- brance and hope. The occasion marked the unveiling of a memo- rial plaque to honour those who served the congregation. It was a poignant symbol of our collective journey and the resilience of our faith community. As congregants gathered in the pews, the air was thick with anticipation and rever- ence. The ceremony was a testa- ment to the enduring spirit of our church. But even as we looked back with fondness, our gaze was firmly fixed on the future. The cer-
The new memorial plaque.
emony was a powerful reminder that the torch of faith and tradition must be passed on to the next generation—a generation that is diverse, dynamic and eager to make its mark on the world. The new memorial serves as a poign- ant reminder of the challenges we have faced and the strength we have drawn from our faith to overcome them.
In the wake of unprecedented challenges that temporarily left our church pews empty, we now find ourselves at a pivotal mo- ment in our faith journey. Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, there shines a beacon of hope—a symbol of resilience and renewal that was unveiled on April 7. Tears were shed for loved ones lost and for the trials endured. But amidst the tears, there was also laughter and joy, as we celebrated the re- silience of our faith community.
The unveiling of the memorial plaque was not just a ceremo- ny—it was a call to action. It is a reminder that our church is not defined by its physical walls, but by the people who fill them. The ceremony was more than just a commemoration of the past; it was a revival—a stirring remind-
er of the values and traditions that have guided us through the ages. As we shared stories and meals, we also shared our hopes and dreams for the future of our church.
The ceremony itself was a moving tribute to the past, pre- sent and future of our congrega- tion. From heartfelt speeches to soul-stirring hymns, every aspect of the event was imbued with a profound sense of purpose and hope. It was a moment of celebra- tion, as we honoured our history and embraced what is to come. As the veil was lifted to reveal the plaque, there was a collec- tive sense of awe and reverence among the assembled worship- pers. For many, it was a moment of catharsis, a chance to confront the pain of loss and find solace in the enduring legacy of faith and community. It was also a moment of renewal, as we reaffirmed our commitment to one another and to the ideals that bind us together.
As we look to the future, we do so with hope and confidence, knowing that our church is built on a solid foundation of faith, love and community. The unveiling of the memorial plaque was just the
The gathering at Wexford Presbyte- rian Church.
beginning of a new chapter in our church’s history—a chapter filled with possibility and the unwaver- ing conviction that tomorrow will be brighter because of what was done before us.
And as we continue this jour- ney together, we will do so with gratitude for the past, hope for the future, and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of love. To- gether, we will continue to write the story of our church, guided by the lessons of the past and inspired by the promise of tomorrow.
Welder Jeanette Lee working on the cross.
growth.
Sometimes, we can feel like we
are too imperfect for the growth and call that Jesus has in our lives. Yet we realized that, as Brother Lawrence shared, God
The Rev. Sandrah Mashingaidze preaching.
does not regard the greatness of the work but the love in which the work is done. Leaning into this idea that imperfect pieces can be made perfect for God’s work, we did an artistic reveal of art created by welding old scraps together to show God’s love.
The reflection of God’s love comes together in a living cross inspired by the spiritual call to rise like Christ. It reflects the idea that we don’t find death in the Cross but eternal life in Jesus Christ. It was a reminder that as dam- aged as we may feel—no matter how society may deem us to be unworthy scraps—through the resurrection of Christ, we are all empowered by God to be part of something more beautiful than we can imagine as an individual. Our Lenten journey is not to ignore the challenge of being called in a broken world but to highlight how the Cross will always be life-giving. We at the Vancouver Chinese Presbyterian Church got to experience a tactile reminder to help us follow our call to be trans- formed as we see how God can transform even scraps into works of art.
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
15
Finding Catharsis
in the Passion and Resurrection of Christ
By Jacqueline Cleland, Pastoral Care and Outreach Coordinator for the Oakridge Christian Ministry,
a part of the Vancouver Chinese Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, B.C.
Lent is the journey to the Cross, which can be traumatic for Chris- tians. Wrestling with the death of the Saviour, the implications that our salvation will not be as expected and losing a valuable friend and mentor are onerous burdens to bear. As we walk this path fraught with emotions, we intentionally choose to live through the cycle of the church calendar. This year at the Vancou- ver Chinese Presbyterian Church, artist Jeanette Lee and I decided
to investigate what a cathartic and artistic Spirit-inspired way to journey to the Cross would look like based on Isaiah 25:6–9 and Mark 16:1–8.
The journey was inspired two- fold by the Aristotelian definition of Catharsis and Brother Law- rence’s belief in the practice of the presence of God. We under- stood that Aristotle’s use of the word catharsis is not a technical reference to purgation or purifica- tion but a beautiful metaphor for the peculiar tragic pleasure, the feeling of being washed, cleansed or redeemed. It is almost as if ca- tharsis was purging the emotions of pity and fear that occurred in the viewer of a tragedy to permit the community to have positive