These stuffed animals, placed on the porch of the house my church owns, the house that became a home for a Syrian refugee family till a short time ago, moved me to tears in a way that was unexpected, as I arrived at the church last Friday to make the final preparations for the community…
This was the question that was posed to me by my favourite waiter at Cora’s. I eat breakfast there most Wednesday morning, Derek knows my order without asking and supplies me with endless refills on coffee while I do some reading and writing without interruptions and distractions. While the staff there know I am religious, partly…
Today was the first day of a six month experiment in wearing my clergy collar every day. In the United Church of Canada the collar is entirely optional, many of my colleagues don’t even own one. I have been wearing it more and more over the past few years, for a few different reasons: it…
An unsolicited book review! Denial Is My Spiritual Practice by Rachel Hackenberg and Martha Spong is a book that everyone needs to read! I received it on Thursday and finished it Sunday afternoon. Their courage and vulnerability in sharing such hard parts of their personal stories, stories that we often only share with our closest…
Or a spiral or something… Fourteen years ago, about this time of year, I left my home in Nova Scotia to head to Ontario. Ordained for a little over a month, I was on my way to my settlement charge in Claremont, a ‘hamlet’ about an hour northeast of Toronto. I spent the first night…
I attended the Atlantic School of Theology’s Convocation today. It’s been 14 years since I was one of those eager graduates, just waiting to take on ministry in a new way and the first time I have attended one since then. I was surprisingly moved at the pomp and ceremony and the glow of excitement…
You know, you start off with enthusiasm, will power and good intentions. You make some progress, you’re feeling better, you have a little bit more spring in your step, it’s easier climbing a flight of stairs, you’re sleeping better. You are confident that with help and persistence you will reach your goal. And then suddenly…
Wisdom, Encouragement and Joy. Rev. Jim Sinclair, former General Secretary of the United Church of Canada, used those words when we spoke of Stew a week or so before his death. Stew, who did his best to keep up with the latest technology, would have been tickled to know that Jim contacted me after he…
I used ‘Star Words’ with my congregations once again this year. I am starting my third year of Interim Ministry with them. The word I drew my first year was daring, what a perfect word for the start of interim ministry! You can read about it here. The second year, my word was understanding. That didn’t…
If you like dynamic and inspiring preaching, along with interactive workshops, an opportunity to network with old and new friends, not to mention enjoy fabulous food, then make sure you get to the next Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship! It’s an ecumenical event held annually in Toronto, hosted by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. The Rev. Dr. Anna…
Ecumenical Continuing Education for Clergy and Lay People
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