It was so lovely to have Rev. James Hwang, curate from St. John Shaughnessy, visiting and preaching at St. John the Divine here in Squamish last Sunday. 

It is so important for all of us to hear different voices, different perspectives on the gospel – the Good News. The gospel shines through each of our words and our actions a little differently. Each witness to the gospel is unique. I like to say everyone has something that they can say (or show) about God’s love in a way that no one else can. 

After the service, we had lunch and a little visit together. 

As I walked him to his car, I said to James, “bring greetings and prayers from myself and all of St. John the Divine to our brothers and sisters in Christ at St. John Shaughnessy.” 

I really meant it. 

To pass along greetings might seem like a small and insignificant thing, but I think it really matters. 

It was one of the pieces of work that was very important and practiced in the early Church. Paul frequently conveyed greetings backwards and forwards between the far-flung communities of the Jesus movement. Read Romans 16:1-16 to get a taste! “Greet Prisca and Aquila….Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus….Greet Mary…..All the church of Christ greet you.”

This is the work of connection, of community, of remembering that we are not alone, that we are part of something bigger than just ourselves – the body of Christ. 

So, if you are ever in a different church, bring greetings from us here at St. John the Divine, and be sure to bring their greetings back to us. 

Thanks be to God!

CG+