When we gather on Sunday mornings for our celebration of the Holy Eucharist, an important part of the service is the affirmation of our faith. We use the Nicene Creed, a statement of Christian beliefs that dates back to the 4th century. We say those words in community, joining a long string of people that have said the same words over the centuries.
The words are familiar, sometimes too familiar. It is all too easy to say them in rote fashion, without giving much thought to their meaning. I find it helpful to occasionally experience (and say) statements of faith that use new and different phrases. I offer you an example, one that I experienced at the conference of the North American Association of the Diaconate that I attended this week.
Affirmation of Faith
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Peace,
Deacon Sue
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