sunday at evangel

on a community of shared faith

Sunday morning.

Before the church service began, three different people asked me about my vacation. I had been away the week before, and each of them approached me with a slight frown.

“You were on vacation?”

I smiled and nodded, inwardly bracing myself.

They hesitated, frowns deepening. “Just a week, though?”

Only when I assured them that I had more vacation booked in August did the frowns relax.

“Good. You need your vacation.”

After service, I hung around longer than usual, literally the last one out of the building, chatting. Today had been a prayer and worship service, including gathering in small groups to pray for each other, and the lingering atmosphere was one of friendly community. A few were back for a visit after moving away, and they were enjoying catching up. Kids - some of whom I’ve known since their birth - came to tell me about their latest project or to wrap their arms around me and roll their eyes when I told them - each one - that they’re my favourite. One asked why my hair looked like it had been dyed. “Cuz it is,” I told her, and she gave me an approving thumbs-up.

No one was in a hurry to head out into the sweltering heat.

I popped into the building where my office is, exchanging greetings with the shelter workers whose smiles light up whatever space they’re in.

Bonjour! Ça va?

Oui, ça va. Toi?

Oui, ça va!

I finally walked down rue Ste Catherine to grab a sandwich, stopping at a sidewalk terrasse to say hi to some of our people eating lunch there. Young adults walked past, lunch in hand, heading back to the church for their group. High-fives and multiple calls of, “heyyyyy Pastor Patti” as they went by.

I love this church. What joy to be its pastor, in such a wonderful city, too.

I get home in time to kiss Jeff before he’s off to his night shift. Gibson and I head out in search of a breeze. It’s raining a bit, but we don’t mind.

Thank You, my God, for this life. Thank You for this shared faith.

I am glad to be Yours.