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Covenanting Service
October
16, 2011
Throughout the Bible, we read of covenants and covenantal
relationships being established by God with God’s people.
Examples include the one established with Noah following the
flood and the creation of the Rainbow as a sign of that
covenant. Others include ones made with Abraham, David and
the people of Israel. For us as Christians, arguably the
most significant covenant is the one that God has offered
and made with us through Jesus. Each time we celebrate
Communion we are commemorating and remembering that
covenant.
When we talk about a covenant, we’re talking about an
agreement or relationship between parties. The United Church
of Canada recognizes and honors the biblical tradition of
covenant so when a new clergy is Called or Appointed to a
new Pastoral Charge (congregation), a covenanting service is
held to celebrate the new relationship as well as to remind
people that this new relationship has binding implications
for all parties involved.
The picture associated with this story is of my covenanting
service held October 16th, 2011. During this service we
formalized and celebrated the covenant made between myself,
St. John’s United Church and Northern Waters Presbytery.
More importantly though, we also celebrated, remembered and
renewed the covenant we had all made with God in our own
ways and through our ministries.
Blessings,
Rev. Steve Atkinson.
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L
to R: Rev. Heather Graham, Minster serving the
Wyevale-Waverley Pastoral Charge, Rev. Steve
Atkinson, Ann Harbridge, D.L.M., Chairperson of the
Pastoral Relations Committee of Northern Waters
Presbytery |
Rev.
Steve Atkinson |
Rev.
Steve Atkinson and
Arlene Atkinson |
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