Almost 150 of our parishioners responded to the invitation to dedicate their time, talent and treasure to the Lord in service to this community. THANK YOU!
The scripture quote above is what Samuel said to the Lord when he was being called. Thank you for listening to the invitation, and for responding so positively. Samuel’s response is characteristic of a servant leader who tries to live life rooted in a synodal spirituality. To claim the role of servant is a powerful act of humility. We are servants of God, and servants of one another. We are servants of the mission of Christ. What that means for each of us will be different. Some of us will serve the body of Christ in liturgical ministries. Others will do it through administration or teaching. Yet others by joining a group where they can experience a sense of support and community or serve the cause of justice and peace through practical actions. Yet others will lead and lift us up in prayer or take the body of Christ and our friendship to the housebound.
There are many ways of serving but there is only one Lord, one Spirit. All that we do and whatever we do, we do for him. This is the lesson that St Paul gives in 1 Cor 12, to the saints of Corinth.
Synodal spirituality is the heart of a Church and a world that seeks to walk together. It is a spirituality of listening, dialogue, discernment, and shared journey—a way of living that trusts in the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit among all people. Through its practice, individuals and communities are invited into a deeper communion with God and with one another, discovering along the way the transformative possibilities of journeying together in faith.
Synodal spirituality is meant to characterise all that we are and do as Church. And I think it is also the spirituality that animates servant leaders. We cannot journey together or serve one another well if we do not begin from a stance of open-hearted and open-minded listening to one another. The journey has begun, and it will take us amazing places. As we begin I want to tell you that I am so glad that you have joined us.
