A Message from Rev. Maya Landell

Another full week at IUC, including the amazing community and teamwork of those who’ve sorted and readied us for the Rummage Sale – 2 pm to 8pm today, and Saturday 9 am to 12 pm. Volunteers are always needed. What fun!

On Sunday we celebrate 201 years of ministry together, the children’s choir is singing at both services, and at the 11:15 am service the Choir Alumni will be joining us for two pieces of special music. What a way to give thanks for the impact of this ministry!

We will also be looking at The Story, Chapter 7, Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. It is a complicated story as we think about the people of God displacing others as they hear the call to move into the promised land.

I wonder how the promises of God can be just for one group of people? Isn’t that the interpretation that has gotten us into generations of violence over land, religion, power, and privilege? We will step into this on Sunday, as the walls of Jericho come down, as Joshua learns about leadership and what is God’s way.

We also pray into the season of Peace, recognizing it has been one year since an act of terror killed eleven people and injured six others during a prayer service at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In response to a request by the Interfaith Circle at Islington United, a group of crafters have been making prayer shawls for the synagogue families touched by this attack. Special guests Rabbi Michal Shekel and Rabbi Rena Arshinoff will be with us on Sunday to bless these prayer shawls. Following the blessing, the shawls will be sent to the synagogue to offer comfort, healing, peace and hope to the families.

I am grateful to be part of a church that offers compassion, community and hope with every action.

Blessings abound, Rev. Maya