The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry,Primate,The Episcopal Church

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”– Ephesians 3:17-19.

In the first century Jesus of Nazareth inspired a movement. A community of people whose lives were centered on Jesus Christ and committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, and redemptive love. Before they were called “church” or “Christian,” this Jesus Movement was simply called “the way.” Today I believe our vocation is to live as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. But how can we together grow more deeply with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, so we can bear witness to his way of love in and for the world? The deep roots of our Christian tradition may offer just such a path. For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. Such a pattern is known as a “Rule of Life.” The framework below – The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life — outlines a Rule for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.

It is designed to be spare and spacious, so that individuals, ministry groups, congregations, and networks can flesh it out in unique ways and build a church-wide treasure trove of stories and resources. There is no specific order you need to follow. If you already keep a Rule or spiritual disciplines, you might reflect and discover how thatpath intersects with this one. By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless – Go – Rest, I pray we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His way has the power to change each of our lives and to change this world.

Rector’s Corner:Our parish is in need of additional volunteer greeters, readers, prayer leader, and counters for the 10am worship service. If you think you are called for this ministry, please let me know and I can provide you some basic training to equipped you for these ministries.

Pastoral Visits: I am doing some home visits during the summer. I usually offer prayers, reflections and conversation that may support your spiritual needs. My contact info; saintmichaels@telus.net or at 604-591-8323.

I have met with our church wardens and some other parishioners to reflect on a few ministries centered on our spiritual renewal. Initially, it will start with a sacred gig among the “leadership team”, then the “insiders” of our congregation and hopefully even to the “outsiders” of our faith group.

We have formed a small pastoral team who will assist me in doing home visitation in the next few months. Our goal is to provide an opportunity to have some conversations around what you think the church, -priest, leaders, and members- should start doing, continue doing and even stop doing.

This small pastoral team may also update you on the various ministry of our parish.  If you have any suggestions to the above information or should you want to assist the team in any way, please let me know. We would appreciate all the help we can get from each and everyone of you.

Michael’s Messenger:If you wish to contribute to our parish newsletter, we are accepting reflections, prayers, or an article that would support the mission of the church. Please send them to Natasha Kaweski or through our parish email. Thank you.