Six more sleeps until my long journey to South Korea begins! Emergency granola bars and skittles have been purchased, I've started to think about starting to pack, and I have some South Korean wan in my possession.
As another part of my preparation, my church family at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Ottawa had a short commissioning for me during worship this morning:
Prayers and travelling mercies for all those who have already arrived in Busan, or who will be journeying this week.
As another part of my preparation, my church family at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Ottawa had a short commissioning for me during worship this morning:
Leader: St. Andrew's, do you promise to accompany Laura and other representatives to the Assembly of the World Council of Churches with your prayers?
Congregation: We are on the way with one another and with the God of life sensing a clear purpose. Jesus asked us to be the church together. We don't just look to ourselves, but to those who need the church to be a just and inclusive community, offering a witness about Christ, showing courage, and giving hope. As the congregation of St. Andrew's, we promise to be the church that Jesus prayed we be: caring for all life which is threatened by injustices. We recognize the significance of churches to "be together" on this journey towards peace, and we support you, Laura, with our prayers, as you travel on our behalf.
Leader: Representatives of churches will engage in open and accountable conversations about issues important to the church today such as mission and evangelism, faith and order, justice, peace and unity. Laura, we send you with the church's blessing that you may participate in these conversations on our behalf. Justice and peace are not reached overnight; they need to be worked on, moved toward. You represent us as our part on this pilgrimage, an image which offers a link between spirituality and work that is urgently need in the world today. Laura, do you agree to be our pilgrim and travel to Korea - Busan, to attend the Assembly and engage with other Christians in prayer and dialogue; and do you promise to engage all of us when you return from this pilgrimage of justice and peace?
Laura: I do, God be my helper.
Prayers and travelling mercies for all those who have already arrived in Busan, or who will be journeying this week.
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