Covenant Presbyterian Church
        

Weekend Update

from Bob Henderson       

Friday, August 15, 2014  

Dear friends:

The last week has been overflowing with gifts of learning and friendship as I've participated in the Scotland Exchange, a reciprocal initiative with the Church of Scotland initiated by four Charlotte churches in 2006. We've studied, worshiped, prayed, and -- perhaps most importantly -- laughed and danced and smiled. It has all been a great gift. Our family's host, Ken and Agnes-Anne Froude, have become dear friends. Their church, St. Bryce Kirk, invited me to preach last Sunday and hosted the week-long conference. It's a gift I'll long remember.

The most surprising experience (in addition to the vast changes to the sanctuary of St. Giles -- the mother church of Presbyterianism) has been the gift of being with the ministers and spouses from our own country. To make time for friendship with them has been nothing less than sacred. Rob and Laurie Raible --  neighbors we've seen only at Christmas parties -- were a delight. Steve and Catherine Eason, who share parallel occupations with me and Suzanne, were gracious and fun. Jessica and John Tate even donned matching kilts for our ceilidh (a Scottish Square dance/party) Robert Austell -- Charlotte pastor and long term friend with whom I've spoken only 4 times in the last six years --  and I shared sacred conversation on a train to Edinburgh.  The list goes on, but to see twelve PCUSA ministers at a  ceilidh alongside Scottish ministers and congregants, laughing freely, dancing awkwardly, and -- before we departed -- embracing extravagantly was a gift I will long remember.

In our scripture passage for this weekend, Jesus prays 'that they all may be one." I've long thought of that passage structurally, as if Jesus were speaking about matters like denominational division or congregational disagreements, but now I wonder if he was praying for a unity of heart and spirit, a 'oneness' in which we live with open hearts and  spirits that let us dance with strangers, laugh until our sides hurt, and warmly embrace fellow pilgrims.

You can read it for yourself and come this Sunday when we'll explore it together.

Peace,

 

Bob Henderson's Signature