For the first Sunday in our four week series for Stewardship, Rev. Cari preached on Philippians 4:10-18, a text that reveals the antidote to the discontentment that plagues North American society.

Today was also the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a day on which the United Church of Canada is encouraging folks to understand the issue and support the need for a Guaranteed Livable Income.

What holds these two themes together (at least in Rev. Cari’s mind) is “the secret” Paul refers to in this text: Koinonia. This one word in the original Greek gets translated in many ways into English. It’s a concept that invites us out of individualism, and into generous sharing for the sake of the common good.

Rev. Cari acknowledges the work of Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Mary Jo Leddy, and also former Moderator of the United Church and Senator, the Rev. Dr. Lois Wilson for their contributions to the sermon today.