SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
Bert’s Reflection
My name is Bert Fonseca, a long-term member of this church community, a mere 31
years compared to some of the people I know. What I have to say is a reflection on
today’s theme which is “New Beginnings”.
We picked this theme because of what has happened to our church over the last few
years and us having to make decisions on where we go from here. We’ve been very
fortunate to have involved Board members who have recognized the writing on the wall,
have taken their jobs seriously and made responsible recommendations based on well
researched information. What they do is impressive and a clear sign of good, well
intentioned and successful teamwork. We are very fortunate to have them at this
moment in our church history. A big thank you to them! Other United churches in
Oakville have not been as proactive.
Today’s reading says ‘I saw a new heavens and a new earth, the former heaven and earth
had passed away”.
It occurs to me that we as a church community are at a crossroads and must make
decisions much like that of immigrants to a new country.
Now it is safe to say that all of you out there are at least descendants of immigrants. It
was either you, your parents or ancestors who made decisions to come to this great
country and you would not be here if it weren’t for those decisions.
I myself am an immigrant who made the choice 57 years ago to migrate to Canada from
my birth country of India. I was not a refugee, not persecuted or seeking a place of
refuge but was looking for a better future, one with access to greater opportunities and
advancement.
I did not know too much about this new country and what I would experience, what
would actually be the end result of my plan to move here but I had an open mind,
knowing there would be big changes and a need to accept them. When I look back, I
have experienced some difficulties along the way, as anyone would have, these made
me annoyed and dissatisfied at times, but I am by far, very pleased with my decision to
do so.
I took a different direction at a crossroads in my life and ended up here today, to tell you
about it!
My point is that as a church community, we are at a similar crossroad where we must
continue to have open minds and take chances on a future that is not crystal clear.
Another part of today reading says “and the One who is seated on the throne said, see, I
am making all things new.”
I say to you now “We must put in the effort to accept change, look positively at what lies
ahead and make an educated guess for our New Beginnings”.