Elgin Portland United Church Council
Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region UCW – 83rd Summer Event July 25, 26, 27, 2025, is being held at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, Cornwall, Ontario. If you want more information, please see the bulletin board.
Devotional Reflection
June 21, 2025
I love to read poetry. Sometimes, it takes a full page to give clarity. But if you are fortunate, your thoughts will immediately fall into step with the author and you will feel the impact immediately.
Allow me to share with you today from a favorite author of mine – Ann Weems. She has a book titled ‘Kneeling in Jerusalem’. Captured in a few lines of a poem called ‘Witness’, she tells a story with a few words. This is the poem:
“I am a Christian,”
one once said to me.
He said it loudly.
I watched and said:
“I shall not be.”
Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever been slighted by another? Have you ever made the comment: ‘If that is what a Christian is then I…’
It happens, you know. We are told not to judge. But it is difficult when you see a person who walks a path different from ours; when this ‘Christian’ is authoritative, and rude; when ‘they’ are seen by many as the endorsed representative of Christ.
It happens when you hear a preacher who entertains a doctrine of prosperity and yet you know Scripture tells us differently.
It happens when you have done all you can to help with the flow of a worship service and then it is disrupted by a change.
It happens when a ‘Christian’ you respect falls from the ‘straight and narrow’, tossed by the allure of the world.
“I shall not be”, Ann Weems said in the last line of her poem. What exactly then will you be? A perfectionist? One who never makes mistakes?
Alas! I shall never write another reflection to you, my audience. For I am sometimes that ‘Christian’!
Paul, in his writings to the Romans said it clearly in chapter 7: 14-25. It starts out saying this: “My own behaviour baffles me. For I find myself not doing what I really want to do but doing what I really loathe.” And then finishes with: “I thank God there is a way out through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Take the time and read this passage. It brings a clarity to our behaviour, a reminder of our need to be in constant communion with God.
Therefore, I will still write and share. I will develop a closer relationship with Christ; one that tries hard not to be ‘that Christian’! But you will see me, and perhaps say, ‘I cannot believe she did that!” Perhaps though, you will also say: ‘How can I walk with her, and help her, and encourage her?” Perhaps you will try and walk in the shoes of another and feel their pain, share their joy, and together you will be “CHRISTIANS” – representatives of the Most High God.
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
