Where Life and Faith Meet
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4Ü #226

Welcome Home

16 February 2006

NOTE: This 4Ü archive entry was reformatted by a computer. If you find any broken links, formatting problems, or have any suggestions, please email us.

WASSUP - It's great to be back

How's life with you?

I've been thinking about you over the past few weeks

I've been on many long walks think'n what I may have to chat to you about

I've watched the tide come in and go out and the sun chase the moon around the sky

I've had some heart to heart conversations with you but mostly I held you in silence

I've been eager to write but the words never seemed to find their place on the page

So here we are ...

.... that the words may come

this is 4U

Andrew

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INSIGHT OUT - Local knowledge

Local knowledge, the things that only locals can know
Like, when and where to go fishing
Like, how to read the sky
or the quickest way home when the motorway is jammed
Like, when is a joke a joke
and when is it not
Like, when to wear a tie
and when not to
Like, who to impress
and whose toes not to step on
Local knowledge is an insiders language that is coded with ritual and symbol

I remember the first time I went into a pub and asked for a beer,
to which was replied, "eight or sixteen?" I had no idea what the question meant

Local knowledge keeps insiders in and outsiders out
- it's the rule, "The way things are round here."

I think that's why many of us still feel like strangers in a foreign land
we're still learning the language of local knowledge.

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OUTSIGHT IN - Welcome Home

The path to the front door is lined with plantings of apprehensions, excitements and forget-me-nots

Forgotten or not?
Stranger or friend?
Ignored or embraced?
Resented or forgiven?

What will the dog say when awakened to my presence?
Bark as aroused by an intruder or bound tail in hand with eyes of delight?
And what of the door, does she know my name,
swing easy on her hinges or ignore my coming with a rusty yawn?

Is this home?
The place that remembers my birth and has carried me in her arms
Where each year is carved into the back of the wardrobe door
The place from which I was freed to explore the world,
knowing that I could forget home but home would never forget me
A place where a return is always possible, no matter what!

A place called home, calls home
Of food and fights
Of side splitting laughter and heart breaking tragedy
Of chores that no one wants to do
A table whose legs have run for no one but supports a feast and declares your rightful place

Welcome home

For another take on this try reading Luke 15:11-31

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SEE YA SUNDAY - Welcome Home: The invitation

A very special welcome to Simon McLeay, who joins me on the ministry team here at St Columba.
Simon's service of "Induction" is this evening at St Columba at 7.30pm. You are welcome to join us.

This Sunday morning - Welcome Home: The invitation 8.30am & 10.30am

Bread & Wine - 9.45am - Weekly Communion

Starting March 12th at 6.00pm - The St Columba Institute of Life and Faith

The Institute of Life and Faith will operate during the school terms offering a wide variety of courses and seminars

Here's a sample of what you can expect

  • Managing personal finance
  • Divorce recovery
  • Parenting
  • Alpha
  • Creative Mime
  • Recovery from sexual abuse
  • Recovery from spiritual abuse
  • Growing through grief
  • Spiritual formation
  • How to pray
  • How to read the Bible
  • Church history
  • Art
  • and many more

Thanks for this time to chat

Andrew
St Columba
Where Life and Faith Meet
andrew.norton@stcolumba.org.nz

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It's free but don't steal

If this is of help to others, you are welcome to forward it. This e-mail letter is 97% original - 3% cut and paste & 100% fat free. 4U is copyright to Andrew Norton. That means you can't cut and paste it and call it your own (that's stealing). I'm happy for it to be used but please refer to the author.

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LAST WORD - Ajar

The soul should always stand ajar; ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.

Emily Dickinson


© 2008, St Columba Presbyterian Church, Auckland