Sunday Reflection 

“Have you experienced a time when you have been forced to depend on the hospitality and kindness of strangers?” Though we speak frequently of the twelve named apostles appointed by Jesus, this passage reminds us that Jesus also appointed many others as messengers of the good news. Here we are told that He appointed seventy others to go out into the towns and cities. His advice to them may seem surprising: “Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.” Jesus makes it clear that they are being sent out into potentially hostile territory, yet he demands that they take nothing with them, not even the most basic of supplies.

Instead, those appointed by Jesus are to depend on the hospitality of strangers. In their movements from house to house, they are to accept lodging, food, and drink wherever they can find it. If they are not welcomed in one place, they are simply to move on to the next one. Jesus’ instructions to these seventy apostles reminds us that the Christian life is not always one of comfort and stability. As Christians, we are sent out to face circumstances we cannot fully imagine, yet we know that God goes with us and will provide all that we could need. Have you experienced a time when you have been forced to depend on the hospitality and kindness of strangers? How did you respond to it? (Patrick Keyser, Sermon that Works, T.E.C.)

A Collect for General Synod: God of our ancestors, God of our future, who was and is and is to come, you have named us in baptism, and called us into friendship with you and one another. In this General Synod,
give all participants grace to listen well, to speak with respect, to deliberate with wisdom, and to honour this gathering of your beloved Church; through Jesus Christ, before whose name we bow in adoration and praise, now and for ever. Amen. (The General Synod Worship Planning Team)

General Synod 2019: The 42nd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada will be held from July 10-16, 2019 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia in the Diocese of New Westminster. The theme of the synod is “I Have Called You By Name” (Isaiah 43:1).

As a partner in the world wide Anglican Communion and in the universal Church, we proclaim and celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ in worship and action. We value our heritage of biblical faith, reason, liturgy, tradition, bishops and synods, and the rich variety of our life in community. We acknowledge that God is calling us to greater diversity of membership, wider participation in ministry and leadership, better stewardship in God’s creation and a strong resolve in challenging attitudes and structures that cause injustice. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to respond to this call in love and service and so more fully live the life of Christ.

Vision 2019: Summary – Practices for the Church Ready for God’s Mission

To enable the church’s mission, the church nationally will

1. Create structures that work for the church now and for God’s mission The Council of General Synod will renew the mandate of the Governance Working Group to study and recommend appropriate changes in the organizational life of the General Synod in light of Vision 2019. (From:gs2019.anglican.ca)