Thursday May 16th members of Kitchissippi, Rideau Park, and Southminster united gathered at Southminster United Church for the first lunch and learn session in a series dedicated to exploring the United Church of Canada’s “Song of Faith.” The purpose of this event was to help participants better understand what the United Church believes and to foster a deeper appreciation of our shared faith.
The “Song of Faith,” adopted in 2006, is a poem that articulates the theological beliefs of the United Church of Canada. During our session, we focused on the beginning part of this important document. One of the main points we discussed was that despite beginning with the depiction of God as a Holy Mystery, the “Song of Faith” clearly states that God seeks a relationship with us and all of creation. This idea sparked a lively and thoughtful discussion among the participants.
Song of Faith (2006)God is Holy Mystery,
beyond complete knowledge,
above prefect description.
Yet,in love,
the one eternal God seeks relationship.
The approach of the “Song of Faith” as poetry which begins an acknowledgement of mystery, sets it apart from typical statements of faith. Instead of presenting definitive faith claims backed by scriptures, the committee that wrote the “Song of Faith” chose to use poetic language. This approach emphasizes a humble acceptance of the limits of human understanding and invites readers into a reflective and contemplative engagement with their faith.
Personally, I found that the apophatic nature of the opening line, which acknowledges the mystery of God, set the stage for the entire “Song of Faith.” This approach resonated with me as it encourages a sense of wonder and openness in our spiritual journey, rather than rigid certainty.
Participants brought their own lunches and eagerly engaged in conversation around the question prompts I provided. I also gave a brief introduction to the “Song of Faith” to provide some context for our discussion. The folks who came shared personal reflections and asked their own insightful questions.
As we concluded our session, several key takeaways emerged. We were reminded of the importance of continually reflecting on our faith and how it informs our actions. The “Song of Faith” encourages us to embrace our diversity, seek justice, and live with hope. Our hope is that these are values that will resonate deeply within our community and help guide us as we continue to live as disciples. Today we had our second Lunch and Learn at Rideau Park United where we looked at God who creates the universe full of possibilities, tends this creation by mending the broken and reconciling the estranged. I am looking forward to this continuing series, we will meet at Kitchissippi United Church next week ( May 30th ). All are welcome to join us in these great conversations. Together, we can grow in our understanding of the faith of the United Church along with our commitment to living out our faith in meaningful ways. Won’t you join us?
