On a Sunday morning at Resurrection Church in Halifax, NS, the usual coffee hour that follows service moved beyond the walls of the church, and onto the sidewalk. Outside the church was a chance to bring out the popcorn maker, bubbles and sidewalk chalk for the congregation members young and old, and fabric peaceflags strung together from leftover quilting materials. Other pieces of green fabric were left deliberately blank, inviting neighbours and friends to decorate them with messages.
The congregation also used the opportunity to accept donations for Phoenix Youth Programs, a Halifax-based nonprofit that operates an emergency shelterand provides family and parenting support across the city. This “Sidewalk Fiesta,” as Rev. Kimberlynn McNabb (she/her) noted, reflects Resurrection’s shared heritage of bringing a variety of diasporas together.
“We have two separate groups of Colombians who are at home in our church and are Spanish speakers,” McNabb shared. “We thought, why don’t we take the coffee outside, do something familiar, and call it a fiesta?”
The July/August issue of Canada Lutheran reflects upon the ELCIC’s inaugural National Day of Action, as highlighted by how congregations across Canada are living out their faith through service. From community cleanups and refugee support to neighbourhood outreach and local ministries. The feature explores how these acts of compassion reflect a shared Lutheran calling to love and serve neighbours, not just on one day, but as an ongoing expression of faith.
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