Musical Prelude and Service.

Psalm 23 & Acts 9:36-43
As I’ve mentioned on a number of occasions, I have what I consider a wonderful collection of stoles that are all gifts from important people on my ministry journey.
I have here just a few of those stoles –
*This one was designed and made by my predecessor at St. Andrew’s in Sioux Lookout; a woman named Aileen Urqhardt. She was assisted by a number of other women from that congregation. It is designed to resemble a prayer shawl displaying different aspects of creation.
*Aileen also created this other one, inspired by the passage from John, “I am the root and you are the branches.” On the inside, the leaves hold the names of children from the congregation.
*This stole was gifted to me by a former Anglican priest, Susan, who left her church and became involved at St. Andrew’s. She gifted me with this stole of hers when she became a full member of the church in Sioux Lookout.
*This stole was made by Ellie as a gift for use during Pentecost.
*And finally, this stole was a gift from Scott, a friend who transferred from the Roman Catholic Church to become a United Church minister. He served in Dryden as I began my ministry in Sioux Lookout. This stole is one he purchased in Jerusalem while visiting that city after his ordination. Scott died a few years ago.
As you can imagine, all these stoles hold special meaning for me and come with a great many touching memories. I mention these things this morning because one of the aspects to today’s scripture from Acts that stands out, is the grieving widows bring the clothes, the tunics and robes that Tabitha made for them, as an act of remembrance. It is their way of demonstrating how important Tabitha’s life, her memory, her presence was for them and their tightly knit community in Joppa. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. She was a disciple.
Like so many stories in scripture, I approach this one with the question of what is the significance here? Is this another story to demonstrate the power of the spirit that now moves in Peter? Or is there more at stake? I find more to ponder than Peter’s power to return a dead woman to life.
Tabitha – or Dorcas in Greek, is effectively the embodiment of the growing movement of Jesus followers – committed to her community, modeling service, kindness and generosity.
Other commentators attributed to her a quality of tirelessly working for her community until she has essentially worked herself to death. Inherent in that critique, is the suggestion that the 12 apostles have essentially not noticed what is happening, taking her work as well as that of countless unnamed women for granted in the growth of this new movement.
It is upon Tabitha’s death and the incredible grief displayed by the widows and other members of this new circle of followers in Joppa that Peter finally witnesses, upon answering the call to visit this time of mourning, that the Apostle finally sees her significance to this church and the world around her.
In Tabitha, Peter can see an expression of the new reality of God’s reign that Jesus so often spoke of. That, just like Mary, sang of God lifting up the lowly.
That as Jesus calls us to do, Tabitha loved her neighbours and saw Jesus in those around her, caring for them, serving them and providing for them.
And so, this loving community turns to Peter in hope that he can offer healing in their time of grief.
Peter sits with Tabitha, prays, and then tells her to get up.
This community in Joppa is broken and suffering in its loss. The widows and the other poor and weak whom Tabitha cared for are lost and weeping. Peter comes to them and witnesses their pain. He offers healing by restoring life in their midst. Tabitha will not die today.
But, Tabitha will not live forever. Death will come for her like it does everyone. Peter will not live forever. He too is mortal. This community, like so many communities of faith, supports one another. They grieve and weep together; they learn together and grow together, and they laugh with joy at the sight of new life together.
In the end, this story from Acts is about the growing community of believers that is the body of Christ. We follow the story through the lens of Peter and Paul. We hear the story through the work and life of Tabitha; but ultimately, this is a story of a broken and weeping circle of followers of Christ as they learn to journey together – strengthening and supporting one another and helping each other heal in times of challenge and grief.
We know Tabitha is restored to life on this day, but even if it is not chronicled in Acts, she will eventually die. As I read this story and reflect on how it speaks to us two millennia later, I can’t help but believe that Tabitha’s life and the spirit that drives her, energizes her community of Jesus’ followers in Joppa, and will live on.
The commitment to service; the commitment to compassion and kindness, can be found in every community of faith you encounter. We can name so many Tabithas over the history of this congregation alone. I can name so many in the churches I have attended and serviced.
The spirit that inspired and moved Tabitha, continues to move and breathe life into so many whose names have been forgotten over time, but who have cared for their neighbours, loved their communities, and inspired countless others who have given so much to the movement of the Body of Christ.
How do we find ways to remember the people? In this case, the women who have given so much for so many on their journeys of faith and discernment?
I want to take a moment to inform you of a project Grace’s secretary, Jeannine Vanderbeek, has taken on of her own accord. And let me assure you I tell you this with her permission and encouragement. Our historic roll is an important document that tells us much about this community of faith; naming those who have served and attended and contributed to this congregation.
However, for a great many years, married women were listed by the names of their spouses –
So, the wife of say, John Smith is listed as Mrs. John Smith. Their names, their identity, other than as the spouse of someone, are lost. Jeannine has taken on the work of giving these women back their names. It is an endeavour that takes some research and dedication, but it is also one of love and remembrance that I don’t think can be understated. There are a great many Tabithas in our history. Let us not forget them or the life they gave to our communities. Thanks be to God. Amen
Rev. Warner Bloomfield

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789