Yesterday a group of us went to IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba) in Winnipeg. (Aren't acronym's fun...we learned many more yesterday) This Organization is located In Winnipeg and is committed to empowering newcomer families through Pro-Active Post Intial Settlement Service (PPSS) in order to facilitate their transition into the larger Winnipeg community. This quote that I got from a friend a while back came to my mind.

Our first task in approaching another people, another culture, another religion, is to take off our shoes ... for the place we are approaching is holy. Else we may find ourselves treading on men's and women's dreams, more seriously still, we may forget God was there before our arrival.
by Bishop Kenneth Cragg

I am not sure how the rest of the group feels but sometimes I feel like we are standing on the edge of a great sea, or maybe wading in the shallows in this adventure of welcoming newcomers.
The sea is calling us to explore all its mysteries and surprises.
Another quote...

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore” Vincent Van Gogh

living in the times we do. (interesting) I wrestle with the state of the church. Having made that 'state'ment begs the question...who am I to stand in judgement of the church? Yet is there a place for the prophetic voice or even a pastoral concern? On the other hand, as William Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas says..."Every time the church gathers, prays the Lord's Prayer, and eats and drinks the Lord's Supper with Jesus, we show that Jesus continues to be known by the company he keeps at the table. God's kingdom is a bunch of tax collectors, sinners, and sick people eating and drinking with Jesus." So there is a place for us all, messed up as we are. And the only ones who are excluded are the ones who won't include other messed up people.