Abundance, Scarcity, and Everything in Between  “What does abundance mean for you?”
EDGE Staff asked themselves this question recently during an EDGEy conversation about ideas around abundance, scarcity and how these concepts affect our lives and work. Staff reflections showed that “abundance” is an idea that touches on many subjects, and that trying to define it might just produce more questions than answers.
Firstly, are surplus and abundance the same word? Or is abundance rather having “enough, with comfort”, the ease of existing without the stress of having too little or too much? The book of Exodus talks about this level of comfort with the story of the exiled Israelites getting by happily on the loaf of manna they received each day to eat. They discovered that if they hoarded the bread, it went rotten quickly, so it was better to enjoy what they had as it was given to them.
So, when we’re looking for an antidote to scarcity in our lives (be it a scarcity of money, food, material goods, etc.) maybe we shouldn’t strive for an excess of what we need– maybe true abundance is having just enough of what we need to be comfortable.
That brings up other questions: Are wants different than needs? Do we have a personal responsibility to see that those around us have abundance as well, in that they have what they need? As a people striving to be more community-minded in our thoughts and actions, one could argue that we do. If we operate on the assumption that abundance is communally owned, existing in our relationship with others, perhaps what we have in excess should go to helping to ensure that those around us also have their needs taken care of. Or perhaps we shouldn’t take more take more than what we need in the first place, embracing the idea that having less helps us to realize how little we actually need. Perhaps we need to cultivate a new culture around abundance and how we make space for it, as we build community relationships by being useful to those around us.
Living this way requires a shift in how we perceive abundance and scarcity, and how we utilize these concepts–especially as our culture increases its use of technology, we manufacture scarcity in particular, for specific purpose. For example, digital currency requires scarcity to function. And our perception that time is scarce may motivate us to do more, more quickly. But a reliance on manufactured scarcity to bring us closer to our goals raises more questions:- Do we actually understand the nature of abundance?
- How can we make the shift from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking?
- Is the key found in looking to community, as discussed earlier?
The relational view of abundance provides new ways to consider what is “enough” and whether we have it. Perhaps connecting our definition of abundance to our relationships with others and to the communities of which we’re a part will provide answers we seek about living a life where we have “enough, with comfort.”
Watch the EDGE staff’s EDGEy Conversation about Abundance and Scarcity. [Image credit: Pexels on Pixabay] |
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The Scribblers Story Podcast Continues! Paige (voice of Chloe), Isaac (voice of Mitchell), and Jakob (voice of Jasper) recording Scribblers. Have you been keeping up with the Scribblers Story Podcast? This children's fantasy adventure audio drama is a compelling example of the power of the Embracing the Spirit grant in action. Its deep questions and invitation to explore using the power of imagination gets listeners to engage in biblical storytelling and makes them part of an ongoing story.
Producers Nygel Metcalfe and Amy and Casey Van Wensom have teamed up with youth voice actors Paige, Isaac, and Jakob, minister and adult voice actor Keith Howard, and illustrator Brian Tate to produce weekly episodes since July 4. The story of how main characters Chloe, Jasper, and Mitchell find themselves in a new and magical world with a castle, a Forest Council made up of talking animals, and a mysterious place called The Scriptorium has gained attention countrywide!
You can find and follow The Scribblers Story on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The nine-episode series finishes on September 5 and will be available after as an audiobook. Be sure to listen with your little ones![Image credit: The Scribblers Story] |
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Cohorts Starting in September  EDGE is thrilled to offer Fall sessions of two of its most popular cohorts! Please email Sarah at slevis@united-church.ca if you’re interested in joining:
Leading Adaptively with Clara King
This course, made up of three, two-hour Zoom sessions, is designed to help you discover new ways to lead with skills you already have. You’ll encounter the core theory of Adaptive Leadership in a vibrant new way and come away with usable practices to reinvigorate your day-to-day leadership journey.- Session One: Six Core Competencies of Leadership–September 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m., EDT.
- Session Two: How to Understand and Change the Culture of Your Congregation – October 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m., EDT.
- Session Three: How Conflict is a Leadership Resource: How to Learn From and Steward Conflict in Your Congregation–October 18, 7:00-9:00 p.m., EDT
Curiosity Cohort with Zoë Chaytors and Courtney Armento
Begins Wednesday, September 21, 6:00-7:00 p.m. EDT
Curiosity is the mindset change that we, as people of faith, are craving to begin to reimagine what church can be outside of Sunday morning. It is the mindset shift that: - Allows us to ask questions and keep asking questions
- Helps us in letting go of needing “the” answers and to relinquish control
- Teaches us to follow the Spirit and to keep listening and discerning
- Enables us to take leaps of faith and be courageous in experimenting
This is for innovative leaders, curious communities of faith, and those willing to explore what might be possible. Runs Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. EDT until October 19.[Image credit: Mabel Amber, who will one day on Pixabay] |
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Embracing the Spirit is a learning network and innovation fund. It offers funding and support for innovation ideas hatched out of faith communities and communities in ministry. Some of the stories and best practices that are happening throughout The United Church of Canada are shared in this newsletter. If you have an idea that you want to launch, reach out and tell us about it! Proposal deadlines are quarterly, and due on the 15th of the month: January, April, July and October. Find out more. |
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