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In every age Christians are guided by the Holy Spirit of God to give attention to both the things close at hand and the things out beyond the horizon.

It is easy to be drawn completely into the churn and chaos of daily living, daily news, daily chores. These things are often worthy of our attention. Life and love are “played out” in these realities. We know, however, that we are also advised to keep our eyes to the hills and to the larger landscape of life, to maintain perspective and to remember the larger events and patterns.

“Remembering” is a crucial skill for people of faith. It is often the key to having a future. The ancient Israelites were constantly told to remember their past deliverance so that they could embrace their identity and purpose. We constantly remember the story of Jesus—his birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it is the pattern and reality of our own lives, baptised in him. We re-narrate these stories to know what is really-real and to reestablish our common life—which is crucial for each individual. When we re-member OUR story, as part of GOD’s story, we are put-back-together, healed, nourished, and sent as witnesses to and stewards of God’s grace.

We, as a diocese, have had the opportunity to focus on some of our history over the past 200 years or so, as we have moved the Diocesan Archives (a.k.a. “The Douglas Leighton Archives”) to a new location in our Cathedral. Several stories about this very significant task have been in this paper, on the website, and “in the air”. We are grateful to those who have worked so hard on this. At our October Synod, the new location will be opened, and everyone is invited to come and see the ways in which God has been good to us in this part of the world and in this part of the family of faith.

A collection of historical artifacts can function as a witness—to both the goodness of our common life and to the times when our brokenness has caused pain and loss. There is a truth-telling function in the work of a good witness. Some of these truths are difficult to face. Yet, we seek the truth because it sets us free and we do this work embraced by the greatest truth of God’s immensity and sensitivity in reconciling the world to himself through grace and mercy—through Jesus the crucified and risen One.

So, let us remember the mighty works of God, be truthful in all our ways, and find a common life that leads us again and again to praise and thanksgiving to God.

+ Todd