It was a cloudy afternoon and Ben and I were driving around and decided to stop in and see about this new church. We were desperately seeking a parish home, somewhere where we could worship and have fellowship but most of all a spiritual director, a real one. We found all of this over a cup of tea in the Emmaus Room at the Anglican parish of the Resurrection in South River, Newfoundland and Labrador. The hospitality was unbelievable as these volunteers take turns waiting for people to come by -- people like us. Just imagine a heavy heart out in the cold in 2006 and God leads him to the doors of the Emmaus Room. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Like the days of old, on the road to Emmaus, we sat and talked about Jesus and his love over a cup of tea. We knew we had found our parish home. The people there were loving and sincere, genuine and caring.
A few days later, we met our spiritual director and what a comforting, blessed man is he. Father Gerald Westcott reminded us that we are the church and this building is the house for all the church to gather. The Emmaus Room is where we meet as the church, always reaching out to others regardless of race, creed or color and he reminds us that we are to love one another.
On Sunday mornings, we come together in the Emmaus Room for breakfast and bible study before we enter the oratory for the morning worship. What a blessing we have found!
Father Gerald explained to us two tired souls that once you have Christ within you, you look for him in the face of all other people. It’s much easier to love one another when we have Christ in our hearts. Arms open wide at the Resurrection to welcome you, even if only for refreshments, it’s all up to you. What a wonderful feeling.
Thanks be to God.
Olive Grunert
