Advent Word – Journey

It’s only the second day of Advent and already I have failed at my photography practice! Yesterday’s word was journey; not all journeys are physical, although the one I took to Victoria to visit my friend Liz was. Her journey with ALS took her to places that she hadn’t anticipated. She touched so many lives…

Actively Waiting for Peace

The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined… Those words, from the prophet Isaiah, are the very first words that I spoke as a worship leader, about 25 years ago. It was Christmas Eve, and the confirmation class…

Friday Five – Reign of Christ

Over at Revgals, it’s Friday Five time! This Sunday (for liturgical calendar types) is The Reign of Christ, aka Christ the King, aka last Sunday of the church year. In honor of the occasion, a Friday Five: 1. What is your favorite semi-obscure church-calendar observance (ie, not Christmas or Easter)? November 25th, St. Catherine’s Day…

Nothing Lasts Forever

I spent a chunk of yesterday on a video conference call regarding the new region. I am part of the Transition Commission that is working to determine structure, budgets, staffing, vision, mission and volunteer opportunities… and not necessarily in that order. We have been working informally since May and formally since July when General Council…

What’s Under Our Clothes?

Who wears a uniform? What kind of uniform? What are the benefits of wearing a uniform? Uniforms are kind of a shorthand. It’s pretty obvious I have a new ‘uniform’ on today! (New black cassock) When I was an intern in NL, the first few times I went to the nursing home after hours, I was stopped…

United Church of Christ – Maine Conference

It is SUCH a privilege to visit ecumenical partners and especially our sister denomination, the United Church of Christ. The people of Maine extended such deep hospitality to me, from registration, where Anne Hodgman immediately recognized my name when I gave it to her and came out from around the table to give me a…

Do We Want to Be Close to Jesus?  

Alan Alda, the United Church’s Statement on Ministry, sales training, photosynthesis, responses from people on the question: why I come to church, the reading from Mark… let’s see if they all hang together by the time I am finished. I asked people to share why they come to church and a number of you responded.…

Presbyterian Synod – Sydney Presbytery

Those two terms are so close, I am sure some folks were having a hard time keeping them straight! Including me at times! There were some things very familiar at the Annual Meeting of the  Presbyterian Synod of the Atlantic Provinces and some things very different. Reports were shared from the various groups, decisions were made on…