It is good to be back. This does not mean of course that the pandemic is “over”. Especially for those of us with young kids or those who do a lot of client facing work, there are still plenty of necessary precautions to take; but after 15 months it seems we finally have the coronavirus under control in our little corner of the world.

So what does “life after” look like?

In truth, I don’t know! But I do know two things: 1) we are all tired of never-ending change and uncertainty; and 2) we have all spent a lot of time contemplating what we REALLY need.

With that in mind, let’s consider this weeks gospel and the parable of the mustard seed.

Can we be the tiny seed that sprouts to provide shade and rest and comfort for all those around it?

What do we need to offer to the community to become that?

The last year has taught us that this community is very resilient. You all have shown up and shown out on zoom and in the community caring and nurturing each other and others.

We recognized that the ability to connect and share with each other is important to us.

And that when we had to choose the things that mattered most - it was gathering together for corporate worship, offering praise to God on high, and sharing in the Gospel of Jesus.

That is the seed Christ has given us to plant. To create a community where we are learning and discerning how to get closer to God, how to live well together, and how to cultivate and grow other gardens in other places.

As I sit here on these steps - it is hard not to notice the people that could use some shade, some hope and some joy. Can we be that community?

Can we be that mustard tree?