What's New, June 1
Before the Thursday lunch program for those living without shelter, Mark and I would always have amazing, broad theological conversations about everything. No matter how much I prepped, it was never enough to engage Mark at his level. Our conversations always ended with, “Yes, but Alydia, will it stop me from getting to heaven?” Which I think was his way of asking, “Am I a good Christian?” I would respond rather sheepishly with a vague affirmation of God’s love for him. I was sheepish because I loved Mark and he did many things that I preached against. For example, the pathway to Christianity that I taught didn’t include pawning stolen goods.
In this season after Pentecost, much of our worship points to how to be the church, how to follow Christ, how to be good disciples. Until I met Mark, I often took these readings as a road map—these are the things that we need to do to be good Christians—forgetting the stark differences between me, Mark, and the people in the pews. When we are leading worship during the upcoming summer months, I wonder how our worship would answer Mark’s question—“Am I a good Christian?”—particularly to people who are new to the church.
I pray that all of our worship will affirm that God, indeed, already calls each of us good! The question for Mark, and for each of us, is what do we do with this love and goodness for the sake of the gospel?
It’s Pride Season! For Pride gatherings and Affirming celebrations, you’ll find some great resources in the Pentecost 1, 2026 issue:
- In the theme section, Exploring Apologies and Forgiveness, you’ll find the Apology to 2S and LGBTQIA+ Communities service that was part of General Council 45. Materials from this service may be used to shape your own worship. In addition, various articles in the section touch on themes that may be helpful in sermon and worship preparation.
- I Am No Accident: A Reflection by Gary Simpson
- The Us of Us: For an Affirming Celebration by Florence Niven
You’ll find a variety of resources to mark Pride season on GatheringWorship.ca. Search by Theme (Gender and Sexual Diversity, Diversity, Inclusiveness), Special Occasion (Pride) or Sacraments and Pastoral Occasion (Affirming). Here are a few to check out:
- Circles: A Pride Service by Ruthanne McLagan
- We Go Out to Be Our Own Pride Parade by Heather Ferrier
- “Gather In” an introit by M.E. Kish about uniting in diversity
- “Welcome In, Welcome All” a gathering hymn by Bryan Cook
Try out these hymns in Then Let Us Sing! for your Affirming and Pride celebrations:
TLUS 10 “God Calls You Good”
TLUS 12 “Give Me a Name”
TLUS 22 “Build a Longer Table”
TLUS 23 “For Everyone Born”
TLUS 29 “When Jesus Sets the Table”
TLUS 30 “We’re the Light of All the World (We Are a Rainbow)”
TLUS 31 “Queerly Beloved”
TLUS 32 “As We Are”
TLUS 115 “A Eunuch, Trusted by My Queen”
And don’t forget in More Voices:
MV 62 “There Is Room for All”
MV 145 “Draw the Circle Wide”
For the Indigenous Day of Prayer, search GatheringWorship.ca by Special Occasion (Indigenous Day of Prayer) or by Theme (Indigenous or Reconciliation)
- As We Light This Candle Today, We Remember and Honour the Sacred Fires by Wanda Winfield
- Ideas for Engaging with the Indigenous Day of Prayer
- Moose Hide Campaign
- Exploring Right Relations
- Exploring Cultural Appreciation or (Mis)Appropriation
Remember that our Summer Services are laid out for you or whoever will be leading worship, with lots of planning ideas and worship suggestions. These can be used any time of year!!!
More pre-planned services can be found by typing “Bulletin and Ideas” in the search bar.
Please take a moment and send along your original worship ideas, prayers, and services to Gathering. Just send them as is, and we will do the editing! Gathering works best when we share our resources and inspiration!
Your contributions make Gathering the rich resource it is supporting worship leaders across Canada!
Many blessings for finding the rest and restoration you need this summer!
Alydia and Susan
