After the past few months, we are all aware of change in our lives. Who could have imagined at this time last year how September 2020 would look? Mask wearing. Social distancing. Not seeing our families. Travel plans cancelled. Unable to visit friends in seniors’ residence. Fear for children attending school. Yes, times have changed!

Like most of us, there is something inside me which struggles against change. Let’s face it, most of us like the comfortable and the routine. Recently a friend of mine was surprised when her children rebelled at her plans to change their Thanksgiving routine. But change is real. The words of Socrates have been reinforced for me by COVID19: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

September 2020 is a season of change for Kamloops United Church. To start we are not worshipping in our building but looking towards a gradual return beginning on October 4. We are setting up livestreaming of worship from the sanctuary. The sanctuary is changed too with décor reflecting our place in creation reminiscent of blue pine forests and green hills of sage. We welcome a new music director, Tomas Bijok and a new spiritual co- ordinator, Dan Hines, and Joanna Brown is new in our office. As we do anything in the church, there are new safety protocols.

If anything describes the spirit at KUC this fall, it truly is that we are building something new. As people who seek to follow God, we are being called to bring our faith to these changing times and circumstances. All of the theological and religious pundits I have been recently reading say that the church, after COVID19 will never be the same as it was. It seems that this is the time for all of us to reach out and embrace the new. I am reminded of the words of the Eastern Religion Historian, Alan Watts when he wrote, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move it with it, and join the dance.” So, this fall, at KUC, we are inviting you to be a dance partner as we delight in the dance before us.

Here are some KUC events that I will be leading

:Next week and every Tuesday at 11:00 am, join us for a coffee party. Click this link to zoom in with us: Weekly Coffee Party

Starting Wednesday September 23 at 11:00 am for six weeks…Faith Study. This is a session based on the upcoming Sunday’s scripture passage. An outline for the study will be included in the week prior’s eNews. Fell free to read it at your leisure and/or join us for a conversation on the passage. Feel free to attend any one of the sessions. Click here to join us: Six Week Faith Study

This fall, I will be doing a weekly meditation. Watch the eNews and your email for the link to YouTube.

Blessings,

Michael