“What must I (we) do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

The above question was asked of Jesus by a lawyer, a man, who just as we today, should have already known the answer.

Jesus asked him what the law said about it and although being able to quote directly from Deuteronomy; “You shall love

the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your

neighbour as yourself”, it was clear that while the lawyer fully knew in his head what God’s law required of him, the

message had not been embraced by his heart, nor integrated into his way of life. Could it be that we too, sometimes

struggle with the same thing?

“And who is my neighbour” the lawyer then asked Jesus and therein we begin to see the systemic rejection of equality and

source of racial prejudice and violent colonialism, that has stained world history for thousands of years. Jesus used the

example of an injured man left for dead at the side of the road by robbers, to create the following parable in the hope that

it might connect the lawyer’s head to his heart. Two learned and well respected men in Jewish society, a Levite and a

Priest saw the injured man, but having no feelings for his plight or wish to get involved, both just passed him by. However,

a man belonging to the Samaritans, an ethnic group who had been openly discriminated against by the Jews for years

stopped and tended to the injured man’s wounds. Even to the lawyer, the Samaritan would have been considered

unclean, of less value and to be avoided at all cost, yet the Samaritan even paid an Innkeeper to continue taking care of

him. When asked by Jesus “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the

robbers?” The lawyer had to admit that it was; “The one who showed him mercy.”

Now at this point Jesus might well have said, “Good, I’m glad you now recognise who your neighbour is”. He could have

assumed that enough had been said and done, and that this was the end of the matter. But we have all learnt, that when

it comes to discrimination and violence against those who are judged to be unclean, different or of less value than others,

that words alone without deeds, are just empty, meaningless and hollow. Instead Jesus called the lawyer into action when

he said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Go and recognise your neighbour, go and help take care of your neighbour, go and

love your neighbour as yourself!

In recent weeks we have seen our Brothers and Sisters who identify as being black, being traumatised, left angry and

fearful of leaving their homes, by the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. Before that it was Eric Garner, Michael

Brown, Laquan McDonald, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, Jamar Clark, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Stephon

Clark, Botham Jean and Breonna Taylor to name but a few, who died primarily because of the racial stereotyping and

discrimination that exists in society. Right now we are seeing protests in America and elsewhere around the world, with

voices being raised to proclaim the message that; “Black Lives Matter”. But until we all change the way in which we

perceive people who look different, sound different or live their lives in different ways than ourselves, the discrimination

will continue and lives will continue to be permanently damaged and lost. We are to love our neighbours as ourselves not

just in word, but by going out and doing something to bring about the change that is needed in society, not next year, or

next month, but now.

While our current focus is racial prejudice against people who just happened to have been born with black or darker

coloured skin, discrimination is also felt by many others. A few examples would be those people who just happened to be

born gay or identify with other gender identities, people whose faith in God causes them to worship in a way that is

different from our own, people from other lands who speak in different languages and who need time to learn and adjust

to a new country, or indigenous people throughout the world who have been violently displaced from the land that God

gave them to live in, by the aspirations and greed of colonial powers. For instance, this is Pride month, but with the

June 14, 2020

Readings: GENESIS 18:1-15, 21:1-7, MATTHEW 9:35-10:8

Pandemic and BLM Marches, that almost seems to have fallen off the radar. Likewise, July marks the start of the planned

annexation of massive areas of Palestinian lands by Israel, new immigrants to Canada still face racial discrimination,

particularly those of the Muslim faith, and the disappearance of dozens of First Nations women still remains unsolved.

These are just a few of the other groups affected, that also need to have their suffering recognised. To spend all our

energies focussing on the discrimination of only one group may result in other groups being left behind. We need to

address the root cause of systemic discrimination against all groups who are thought of as “different”. As an individual I

don`t know all the answers for how we bring about the changes that are necessary in society, but what I do know, is that if

I do nothing, and if we as a Parish do nothing, then we are complicit in allowing the evil of prejudice and discrimination to

continue growing and spreading like a cancer, to hurt our neighbours. In 1st Corinthians 12 we read, ‘Indeed, the body

does not consist of one member but of many. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is

honoured, all rejoice together with it.’

As we see our neighbours within and beyond our own community suffering, let us take steps to come alongside and feel

their pain and suffer with them. Even though our doors are currently shut let us not allow that to become a stumbling

block, but instead let us choose to intentionally use all the means that are available to us, to become more vocal and

proactive in naming, calling out and rejecting all forms of discrimination that are ongoing and causing generations of our

Brothers and Sisters to endure such terrible pain and suffering. Let us agree as individuals and as a parish, to boldly

become more loving, caring and welcoming than we have ever been before, to all of God`s children, both in our own lives

and the life of St. Simon’s. And let us each choose to actively respond to the commandment that Jesus gave to the lawyer

who asked; “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”, but did not even recognise who his neighbour was. Let us be like the

Good Samaritan and “Go and do likewise”, by committing ourselves and the resources of our parish to ending all forms of

discrimination and prejudice.

‘For truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever

becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name

welcomes me. ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for

you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world

because of stumbling-blocks! (Matthew 18)

In Christ’s love,

Rev. Brian Galligan

The Huffington Post compiled a list of Canadian Black and Anti-Racist groups you can learn more about and

support. Choose one that speaks to your heart.

GOOD TO KNOW:

CHANGING OUR VIEWING FORMAT –no longer using the side by side option

Thanks to everyone who provides feedback to help shape our services. We

appreciate your involvement

This week, we have decided to simplify our on-screen messages and focus more

on the wonderful volunteers who read, and to the music team who share their

talents and voices. We will continue to provide the words to the hymns, a send a

pdf of the entire service as part of the weekly newsletter.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Share the service link each week by forwarding the weekly email to your friends

and family members. Let them know about our wonderful music ministry, the

thoughtful messages we share, and how much you enjoy being part of this

community.

FOR ANY ISSUES or questions please email David at

oakvillejenkins@gmail.com.

Supporting our community

The Incarnation community has continually provided generous financial support

for the parish and our activities, and we thank you. Even though the building may

be closed, the need to support the community is still very much present. As a

result, we are asking for your continued financial support to Incarnation.

For those on pre-approved payment (PAP), thank you for your ongoing support. For

those of you who give via the collection plate, you can still support us by donating

one of the following ways:

E-transfer • online through Canada Helps • PAP • or by mail

You can learn more and choose the best way to support us by clicking here.

Incarnation Community Gardens

Great news – our first wave of plantings took place.

We’ve got a great crew of volunteers working hard, watching our seeds grow. Stay

tuned for garden updates.

If you’re interested, please give Cherry Collins a call at 905-962-2287

Coffee, Conversation and Connection

Wednesdays at 10, join Michael for a ‘virtual’ coffee and conversation. It will be a

chance to connect, chat and share thoughts and feelings about what we are

dealing with these days. This will be a good way to connect with our community

and catch up. There maybe opportunity to reflect on readings, poetry or other

inspirational pieces.

A new link will be sent every week

Food Banks need help The most effective way we can help is to donate money directly to any of the

following:

Fare Share Food Bank remains open and is accepting monetary donations

you can see a list of needed items

Kerr Street Mission is continuing to distribute food and is accepting

monetary donations and donations of necessities.

Food4Kids Halton is taking monetary donations and will continue to feed

children in the community by mailing grocery gift cards.

Food For Life has cancelled some in-person programs. At this time, they

are asking for monetary donations to continue feeding the most vulnerable

in our community.

Town of Oakville updates

Stay up to date with information pertaining to the opening of park spaces,

marinas and golf courses!

www.oakville.ca

COVID-19 information updates

Updated information from Halton Region

News from the Diocese

In this week's message to clergy and lay leaders, Bishop Susan responds to

the province's recent announcements related to next stage of its reopening

plans, noting that "just because it seems we can return to our buildings in

reduced capacity, does not mean that we should." As such, we continue to

be committed to a cautious and gradual return to Sunday worship in our

buildings this fall.

The bishop also shares an important announcement with regards to the

celebration of the Eucharist, which up until now we have been fasting from with the rest of the province. "I

have decided to authorize the celebration of the Eucharist for spiritual communion during online worship

services with clear guidelines and rubrics to be observed by those who choose to proceed."

The Bishop will be holding a special livestreamed celebration of the Eucharist with spiritual communion next

Wednesday evening, June 17 at 7:00pm from our cathedral to signal the beginning of this practice. Priests

will then be authorized to celebrate the Eucharist with spiritual communion for online services under these

circumstances on the Sunday following, June 21st.

Read the Bishop's full message here.

National Indigenous History Month

In June, we celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honour the history,

heritage, and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Learn more here.

Throughout the month, KAIROS will highlight and celebrate Indigenous women

working to make change in Canada and the Global South. Through profiles,

spotlights, and by sharing inspiration, KAIROS will raise up those working to live in

a good way and improve society for future generations. Read more here.

Archdeacon Val Kerr will join Bishop Susan Bell on Sunday, June 21 at 10:00am as

our diocesan livestreamed service celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Our truth and reconciliation webpage has a variety of resources and links to other websites to support our learning and journey

towards right relations; check it out!

Read stories from The Niagara Anglican

niagaraanglican.news

THIS & THAT

Incarnation Updates

The office remains closed, except for periodic visits by Margot. Please stay home and stay

safe!

Follow us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Incarnation.church.oakville/

As more of us are practising social distancing or self-isolation, huge numbers of small businesses in our

local communities are feeling the impact. Do you a favourite one you’d like us to support? Send us the

name and we’ll feature them each week.

In addition, Liz Da Ponte has created a site to collect free listings for small businesses, not-for-

profits and individuals who can help. Take a moment to look through the listings and if you

know of any other organizations that need help, please feel free to share the site with them.

https://supportlocalduringcovid.com/

LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER?

Training will be provided. Contact Julia Lockhart if you are interested.

Anne Moniuk Peter Lorimer

Volunteer Schedule June 14 June 21 Voice 1 M. Russell

Voice 2 P. Russell

First Reading/ALL M. Stevens D. Wieler

Psalm L. Stevens W. Macdougall

Good News B. Hanna-Morrison P. Moffat

Prayers J. Bowden M. Russell

DOWNLOAD THE REVISED MAY/JUNE SCHEDULE

Interested in participating in our online worship? Contact Julia Lockhart (julia.a.lockhart@gmail.com)

ZOOM TIPS for Sunday Services!

VIDEO

When you join the online service, you are asked if you would like to join with video. If you choose yes, it will turn on your

device’s camera. Remember though, everyone who has joined the service will be able to see you and your surroundings – there

is no hiding from curious on-lookers!! If you join the meeting without video, you have the choice of displaying a profile picture,

or your name.

MUTE

When joining the service, please mute your device, unless you are a designated speaker. If you are a designated speaker,

please unmute only when it is your turn to speak.

CHAT ROOM

Take advantage of the CHAT feature and connect with others before, during and after the service

Move your cursor to the bottom of the picture frame to find the chat window. You can message “everyone” or click to

see a drop down list of all attendees – choose a name to message them privately

SPEAKER VIEW or GALLERY VIEW – the choice is yours!

To choose different viewing options, move your cursor to the top right corner – toggle between the different options to find a

setting you prefer. And don’t worry, you’re only changing your view.

Speaker view – in this setting, your screen displays a large image of the person speaking, and changes automatically as

the speaker changes. You can choose to have thumbnail images of other online visitors appear as well, or not at all.

Gallery view –. We suggest you switch to this view at the completion of the service. It is a good way to see many people

at once and enhance community connections.

BREAKOUT ROOMS AFTER THE SERVICE

Want to stay connected after the service? You will be given the option of joining a smaller group of people for conversation and

fellowship:

At the end of the service you will receive an invitation to join a “breakout room”

Assignments to each room are random and will be limited to about 8-12 participants. An ideal way to meet new

parishioners as you won’t know who is in the room until you agree to join!

Remember to unmute your microphone so others can hear you. Make sure to turn on your video if you want others to

see you.

If you’re not interested, simply decline the invitation.

You can leave the breakout at any time. The breakout groups will last approximately 10 mins