On a recent Sunday morning, I watched two services – quite different, yet both inspirational.  It caught my attention that in the prayers, both pastors used words to this effect, “Let our congregation be a workshop of faith and love.”  The term “workshop of faith” lingered in my mind.  Just what exactly does this mean?

I looked up “workshop,” and as expected, it was defined as a place of teaching and learning in an interactive environment.   OK, it was more than simply listening or reading, it involved interaction with others.  Sounds like  sharing, listening openly, and speaking freely.

Then I googled “Workshop of Faith.”   It referred me to a devotional book by an Armenian pastor, Joseph Hovsep Hovsepian, subtitled “Meditations from everyday life for everyday people.”   To me, it sounded like getting down to the nitty gritty of faith, a life of faith and love in action.  

At the risk of being terribly arrogant, it occurred to me that these simple blogs share a similar goal:  meditations from everyday life for everyday people.   I don’t presume that our humble efforts compare to those in Mr. Hovsep’s volume, but in our writing we endeavor to interact with you the reader.  In so many cases we know you, you know us.  We sometimes bare our souls to you.  We appreciate when you respond.

In our congregational life, we don’t interact with each other this year, as we were so accustomed to doing.  But can we still lead lives of faith and love in action?   I know you lead lives of faith.  Are we putting that faith and love into action for the those we know, those we have not yet met, and yes for the healing of the nations?   God’s love for you and me is unconditional.  The love we share must be unconditional too.  That’s a goal worthy of our pursuit.

Judy