October 2026

VIEW FROM THE HEIGHTS

October 2026

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Hebrews 13:2

Greetings!

And Happy Fall!

We are entering the hospitality season. From children trick-or-treating to family gatherings over the Holidays, this time of year is filled with opportunities for visiting, feasting, or just enjoying a nice cup of tea with a neighbour.

God will be the first to show up! Hospitality is his favourite way of showing love. Inviting us to draw close, and share in the bounty she provides for our bodies and souls; just as Jesus did. He loved nothing better than hosting meals for friends or arranging pop-up picnics for strangers.

In desert lands, sheltering a stranger overnight saved lives, so hospitality was an early command. But being stranded on the road home, is not restricted to desert journeyers. Twenty-five years ago, thousands of airline passengers suddenly found themselves stuck in a foreign country.

After the aeroplane attacks of 9/11, American airspace was closed. 38 civilian aircraft and four military planes were grounded in Gander. Over 6,600 passengers and crew landed in a town with a population of 9651! Despite the enormity of the task of providing for them, Gander and the neighbouring communities gave the passengers a warm welcome.

They opened up their homes, schools, churches and anywhere else that could be turned into temporary accommodation. School bus drivers came off the picket line to transport 1 the visitors. Washing facilities (family bathrooms!), clothes, meals, and a free phone service were provided. Over the six days that they hosted those who had “come from away”, the Newfoundlanders made accommodations for many different cultural, religious, and dietary needs of the passengers.

Bengt and I just had a refresher on these events. We attended the NSMT production of “Come From Away”, the musical retelling of Gander’s amazing hospitality. It was brilliant! In the one of the most moving scenes, two men begin singing “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace,” they are joined by a Rabbi singing a Jewish peace prayer, and then by a Moslem man and two Hindu women who silently join in the prayer. A moment of healing brought about by the hospitality of the Newfoundlanders.

Hospitality is the sharing of shelter, sustenance and care. It shares a common root with “hospital” and “hospice.” Hospitality is God’s own love language and is expressed in a myriad of ways. It happens on the mission field, in the soup kitchen, and wherever a loving welcome is extended. Here at CBC, Jayden and company created a fresh, new space for us – a shelter for doing church. Through friendships, and food sharing, and community connections, we too are finding creative ways to be hospitable.

The generosity of our Canadian kin fills us with awe. But the Divine Welcomer who strengthened them, empowers us too. The call to “nourish the hungry and thirsty, welcome the stranger, and help out with life’s necessities” is ours too.

And we have said “yes” to God’s plea!

May Holy Hospitality grace your Fall.

Blessings,

Brenda