During the young people’s story in the Sunday service, a group of teenagers put on a little skit about searching for the right present. One of the actors asked me to join her, handing me a stone. I hesitated. What was I going to be asked to do?
She told the congregation that she had been looking for some Christian Rock but instead had found a Christian with a rock.
This is the time of the year when every breathing child in Sunday School gets seconded into the cast for the annual Christmas pageant. Before you realize it some grownup is slapping a tea towel on your head or sheep ears or a tin foil crown. Next thing you know, you’re on stage.
Drama is a wonderful way to be pulled into the story. And it’s not just for children or teenagers. In this season all of us get pulled once more into this story in which messengers speak amazing words of blessing and promise to the most ordinary of people.
That gives a whisper of hope to even the most uncertain of actors. There is a small but important part for each one of us this Christmas.
Peter
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Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Your Part In God's Christmas Pageant
I get a front row seat for the pageant every Advent. Best seats in the house. Even on a busy Sunday they are the last to be filled.
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This morning the view included angels rubbing sleep from their eyes, enormous yawns, a little thumb sucking to cope with the stress, removal of lambs' ears for a closer look, twisting of hair and the look of sheer joy as we clapped along to The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy.
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The excitement of the drama pulled a few "extras" from the congregation.
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I spotted one little guy hopping with excitement near the piano.
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Another little girl joined the cast. I wasn't sure if she was a sheep but she was the best crawler in the group. Dry land could not contain her imagination so she helped us to see what wasn't there by swimming up and down the aisle.
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These "extras" remind us of the intent of the Christmas pageant, to be drawn into the action and see ourselves as characters in God's drama of love.
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What part would you you like to take this year?
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Peter
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Sadness and Joy
This afternoon we will gather for one of the quiet, meditative services of the year.
When this was first celebrated in the United Church, it was generally called the Blue Christmas service. Now we are calling it Journey in the Light or Light in the Shadows.
The original title acknowledged the feelings of those who were so aware of the loss of a loved one or other difficult situation that could drain all the joy out of the season.
The newer nomenclature still refers to the Shadows but also to the Light that can penetrate into those places that leave us feeling so sad and alone.
Most importantly these are times when we can gather with a common awareness that we are not alone. Others share some of the pain with us. If you have known sadness at this time of year, you have a spiritual gift of being able to be aware of the pain of others.
And so we will light a candle in Memory of our Loss, one for Compassion and Community, one for Wisdom, one for Faith. Then each of us will light a candle for the one we are missing. And surrounding it all, enveloping us all in the most significant of lights, a candle for the glow of the Christ in our midst.
This little circle of friends somehow cuts to the centre of the season in a way that no other service does. I always leave feeling moved and grateful.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted.
When this was first celebrated in the United Church, it was generally called the Blue Christmas service. Now we are calling it Journey in the Light or Light in the Shadows.
The original title acknowledged the feelings of those who were so aware of the loss of a loved one or other difficult situation that could drain all the joy out of the season.
The newer nomenclature still refers to the Shadows but also to the Light that can penetrate into those places that leave us feeling so sad and alone.
Most importantly these are times when we can gather with a common awareness that we are not alone. Others share some of the pain with us. If you have known sadness at this time of year, you have a spiritual gift of being able to be aware of the pain of others.
And so we will light a candle in Memory of our Loss, one for Compassion and Community, one for Wisdom, one for Faith. Then each of us will light a candle for the one we are missing. And surrounding it all, enveloping us all in the most significant of lights, a candle for the glow of the Christ in our midst.
This little circle of friends somehow cuts to the centre of the season in a way that no other service does. I always leave feeling moved and grateful.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted.
Monday, November 30, 2009
End Times
.This Sunday’s texts on the end times are so evocative of all the end time moments in our lives, that I forget that some groups take these stories and parables of dislocation as literal description. they foresee a day when Jesus will ride into town on the clouds like some heavenly surfboarder.
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That alternate fundamentalist mentality has promoted one atheistic group in the United Kingdom to offer to provide care for pets left behind by Christians when they a re taken up by the rapture. For a minimal donation, they offer the assurance that these pets will be fed and cared for.
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Sounds like a reasonable fundraising opportunity.
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Peter
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You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
End Times
This Sunday’s texts on the end times are so evocative of all the end time moments in our lives, that I forget that some groups take these stories and parables of dislocation as literal description. they forsee a day when Jesus will ride into town on the clouds like some heavenly surfboarder.
That alternate fundamentalist mentality has promoted one atheistic group in the United Kingdom to offer to provide care for pets left behind by Christians when theya re taken up by the rapture. For a minimal donation, they offer the assurance that these pets will be fed and cared for.
Sounds like a reasonable fundraising opportunity.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
That alternate fundamentalist mentality has promoted one atheistic group in the United Kingdom to offer to provide care for pets left behind by Christians when theya re taken up by the rapture. For a minimal donation, they offer the assurance that these pets will be fed and cared for.
Sounds like a reasonable fundraising opportunity.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Remembering
Sunday mornings are full of serendipity.
This morning at the pre service breakfast for veterans, active and retired military personnel, families and youth. Gwen, sitting across the table, passed over a photo of two young people in uniform. The so young faces looked out with all the possibility of youth. They were the photos of this very woman and her brother who lies buried in Germany. His grave was in the next picture with her grandson who had made the pilgrimage to the site.
The photos began a discussion. On one side of me was a young woman who said she would be studying the war in history in grade 10. On the other side of me was a young man who had been impacted by a school visit to the war cemeteries of Europe. The conversation was meaningful. We were connecting out of such different experiences.
The service began and ended with this group of 36 or so being piped in and out of the sanctuary. For some that was the most emotional moment of the morning. Others commented on the music, the trumpet, the laying of the wreath.
Later during coffee and conversation, one veteran, Alex, told me that he had just spoken to another veteran, Franz, who had been a prisoner of war in the far east during World War Two. Alex had been one of the group dropping supplies to the prisoners. He had not known until now that Franz had been on the ground receiving the lifesaving provisions.
And that was only my little perspective on the serendipity taking place this morning in the wonderful gift of intergenerational community here at Emmanuel.
Peter
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Monday, October 26, 2009
Giving Thanks
Although not Thanksgiving Sunday, this was a Sunday for giving thanks.
We gave thanks for the life of Eleanor Cox as Ann Frederking led the Bell Choir in a special piece in her honour.
We remembered the lives of Ed Kirk and Marg Kneen' s Uncle Glen and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers as services celebrate their lives this coming week.
We thanked Russell Smith for writing a stewardship hymn which spoke to me on living with respect in creation. We sang this together in worship for the first time this morning.
We gave thanks for the response to the stewardship campaign and the generous outpouring of time, talents and treasures. Phyllis, Graham and Tom thanked the congregation for their generous hearts.
And finally we gave thanks for God's presence as we shared a meal together following the worship. This table, laden with soup, sandwiches and cake served as an extension to the table at the front of the sanctuary. How good it is to meet and eat together. This is one of those places where important conversations take place.
How could you not feel thankful after all of that!
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted.
We gave thanks for the life of Eleanor Cox as Ann Frederking led the Bell Choir in a special piece in her honour.
We remembered the lives of Ed Kirk and Marg Kneen' s Uncle Glen and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers as services celebrate their lives this coming week.
We thanked Russell Smith for writing a stewardship hymn which spoke to me on living with respect in creation. We sang this together in worship for the first time this morning.
We gave thanks for the response to the stewardship campaign and the generous outpouring of time, talents and treasures. Phyllis, Graham and Tom thanked the congregation for their generous hearts.
And finally we gave thanks for God's presence as we shared a meal together following the worship. This table, laden with soup, sandwiches and cake served as an extension to the table at the front of the sanctuary. How good it is to meet and eat together. This is one of those places where important conversations take place.
How could you not feel thankful after all of that!
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ultimate Forgiveness
The Ottawa Citizen this morning contained some strong opinions on a recent car crash into a home in our community. The home owner was accused of being too forgiving in her comments about the young man. It reminded me of another controversy over how merciful we should be.
It was close to 21 years ago that Jim Swire's daughter Flora died on Pam Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. How painful for the families involved when the tragedy was once again debated in the press. The occasion was the release from prison of Abdelbaset Ali al megrah Megrahi, the Libyan man known as the Lockerbie bomber.
Jim Swire praised the Scottish government for the release. He said, " am a Christian. So I would hope that, even if I was convinced that Megrahi was guilty, my Christian compassion and forgiveness would extend to wanting to see him die with his family around him in Libya."
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
It was close to 21 years ago that Jim Swire's daughter Flora died on Pam Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. How painful for the families involved when the tragedy was once again debated in the press. The occasion was the release from prison of Abdelbaset Ali al megrah Megrahi, the Libyan man known as the Lockerbie bomber.
Jim Swire praised the Scottish government for the release. He said, " am a Christian. So I would hope that, even if I was convinced that Megrahi was guilty, my Christian compassion and forgiveness would extend to wanting to see him die with his family around him in Libya."
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Monday, October 12, 2009
An Open Invitation To The Table
This is the weekend for family and feasting. Following the service, the common question over coffee was “Who is cooking the turkey at your place?”
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This year it’s not us. With a couple of exceptions, we have cooked a turkey for over 30 years. But this year part of our steadily expanding family is doing the job. And we will be the invited guests for a change.
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It’s a good thing to invite others to our table. I spoke to a number of people in our church community who are opening their tables to others for this feast.
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Some of us know what it is like to be a stranger in the community and how much it means when you get invited over for dinner. As a single summer student working in a northern mining community, it was church folks who invited me over on Sunday after church. It was what you did in those places. You invited in the stranger.
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And it’s also part of the faith story. Remember the stranger in the land. Share with them the abundance of your fields. So whether there is plenty or where there is little, may we continue to put our faith into practice and invite one another to the table.
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Burp. Excuse me. Amen.
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Peter
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
What To Do ...... Nothing
The summer edition of the American Scholar trumpets the value of doing nothing.
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The Dalai Lama has claimed that when someone harms you, the best thing to do is nothing.
Don’t call attention to it in order to shame the offender. Mark Edmundson says that much of the pain in the world comes when we pass on our own injuries, compensating for our belittlement by sticking it to somebody else.
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When I read that, I can feel a protest coming on. But surely the prophetic tradition demands that we protest when harm is done to any of God’s creatures.
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The rebuttal I suppose would be, yes but when we fall into a pattern of reacting to everyone who cuts us off in traffic or says something unpleasant to us, then we can become negative rather than positive forces in our relationships. So here’s to doing nothing for the sake of the gospel.
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Peter
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Monday, September 21, 2009
Tiananmen Square - 20 Years After
This summer there were a number of commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square tragedy. There may have been 100,000 peacefully protesting when the military crackdown occurred. Who knows how many died. Official reports say it was 200-300. Chinese Student Associations put the number at 2,000 to 3,000. Dozens remain in prison.
I only recently read about a group of Chinese Christians that gathered on June 4 to remember the event. Many of these had been student leaders in the pro-democracy movement. The group released a statement calling for repentance, truth and reconciliation. These eighty Christians said the events had not only rocked our souls, they had also awakened our sense of social justice. A search for meaning led these leaders to Christian faith.
As the Chinese economic miracle thunders ahead, let us remember those who struggle for basic human rights. They have seen no such leap ahead. But after what they have been through, it is unlikely they will be dissuaded.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
I only recently read about a group of Chinese Christians that gathered on June 4 to remember the event. Many of these had been student leaders in the pro-democracy movement. The group released a statement calling for repentance, truth and reconciliation. These eighty Christians said the events had not only rocked our souls, they had also awakened our sense of social justice. A search for meaning led these leaders to Christian faith.
As the Chinese economic miracle thunders ahead, let us remember those who struggle for basic human rights. They have seen no such leap ahead. But after what they have been through, it is unlikely they will be dissuaded.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Rachel - A Mother In Need
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival owns the title of the world’s largest Jewish film festival. This year it stirred up some folks by including in its list of films, Rachel. Rachel Corrie was a young American who was run over and killed by a bulldozer as she tried to block the path of the machine intent on tearing down a Palestinian home in Gaza.
The Israeli consul-general objected to the film and said that the Festival’s invitation to Rachel’s mother to speak, “becomes a kind of emotional grandstanding rather than the pursuit of a deeper insight.”
This morning’s scripture tells the story of a gentile woman crying out to Jesus on behalf of her daughter. How could a mother not bring emotion to the story of her daughter’s illness or in the case of Rachel, her death? And is emotion not a legitimate means of uncovering the truth?
Rachel will be on my list of films to watch for this year. Then I can judge for myself whose voice offers the deepest insight.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Rules For Shameless Sex
I saw a Christian magazine cover this week (Sojourners) called, Rules for Shameless Sex. It sounded like a good sermon title. But it wasn’t my idea so I resisted. But shameless sex is a helpful in trying to understand an area of life that has such potential for good and evil.
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In the article by Keith Graber Miller, the author gives us an example of the church’s shame-filled history of dealing with human sexuality. Miller says that in our distant past the church prescribed 10 years of penance for coitus interuptus, lifelong penance for oral sex and only seven years of penance for premeditated murder.
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That shows the twisted understandings that lie in our institutional past. here a few of Miller’s rules or guidelines:
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1. We need to talk openly and directly about sexuality in our homes and churches
2. We need to recognize how embodied our lives are, and we need to embrace the fundamental goodness of that embodiment.
3. We need to become thoughtful critics of exploitative images in our culture.
4. We need to recognize that what we really yearn for in life is intimacy rather than the stimulation of genital nerve endings.
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It seems to me that this is a valuable contribution to a necessary and ongoing dialogue for us all.
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Peter
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Sunday, August 23, 2009
A Mini Sabbatical
Are you actually relaxing on your holidays? What does that even mean?
Roman Catholic peace activist and poet, Rose Marie Berger, says work is getting in the way of our play time. While the recession is claiming jobs, for many others work hours are increasing which causes many people to check in on work during off hours and days off. One solution to growing debt is to add another part time job. Exhaustion levels are going up for children, teens, young families and we older ones.
Berger tells us that according to the latest neuroscience, play is hardwired into us. Neurons don’t function without it. We have a duty, a typically protestant choice of words, to give ourselves a break. On the seventh day, God rested, took a mini sabbatical, relaxed.
it’s not too late for us. Summer is not yet over.
And as soon as I get my basement cleaned up, I am going to slooowww dowwwnnwn...
Peter
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Monday, August 17, 2009
United Church and Israel
I have heard from folks outside our church, asking what the heck is going on in the United Church of Canada. Colleagues in this presbytery have received angry, harassing phone messages on their voice mail. These people have heard via the media that the United Church is turning its back on “the only democracy in the Middle East.”
From what I can gather, some of the criticism comes from those who defend Israel’s decisions regardless of the consequences for the Palestinian people. But some of the criticism comes from a misunderstanding of the United Church’s position over the years. For the sake of the average citizen who reads the newspaper editorials or listens to angry talk-radio, we need to do a better job of getting our views out there.
This year’s General Council is certainly doing its best to communicate the latest information from Kelowna. I have signed up for the daily updates and you can do that in less than a minute by going to the United Church website and clicking on “General Council.” If you prefer video, you can watch the daily video feed featuring Royal Orr. And if you have the time, you can watch livestreaming.
This means that any United church member with access to a computer can stay on top of the daily Council agenda. With the latest direct information, we all can participate in an informed discussion of the important issues that are being discussed this week. What an opportunity to let those around us know about the important issues that we care about as a faith community!
Peter
You may also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
From what I can gather, some of the criticism comes from those who defend Israel’s decisions regardless of the consequences for the Palestinian people. But some of the criticism comes from a misunderstanding of the United Church’s position over the years. For the sake of the average citizen who reads the newspaper editorials or listens to angry talk-radio, we need to do a better job of getting our views out there.
This year’s General Council is certainly doing its best to communicate the latest information from Kelowna. I have signed up for the daily updates and you can do that in less than a minute by going to the United Church website and clicking on “General Council.” If you prefer video, you can watch the daily video feed featuring Royal Orr. And if you have the time, you can watch livestreaming.
This means that any United church member with access to a computer can stay on top of the daily Council agenda. With the latest direct information, we all can participate in an informed discussion of the important issues that are being discussed this week. What an opportunity to let those around us know about the important issues that we care about as a faith community!
Peter
You may also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Michael Jackson and God
Some years ago Beliefnet reported that when Michael Jackson was a child garnering attention in the Jackson Five, he longed for time to play. The Sabbath Day offered a respite from the pressures of the stage. Fellow members of the Jehovah Witness church treated him like the rest of the congregation despite his stardom.
Jackson wistfully mused, “I miss the sense of community that I felt there. I miss the friends and the people who treated me like I was simply one of them. Simply human. Sharing a day with God.”
When I think of Michael Jackson, I think of the odd character who was depicted as a freak by the media. It’s easy to forget that before all the attention and money allowed him to fulfill all his fantasies, he was a little boy running around with the other children after services, wanting to be like everyone else, sharing a day with God.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Making Hospitality A Deeper Part Of Our Own Faith
Two months ago, over 100 Mennonite ordained and lay ministers sent a letter to the Mennonite Church USA, calling on their church to offer a full welcome to gay and lesbian people.
That may come as a surprise. For the average citizen these days, the word Mennonite conjures up straw hats and horse-drawn buggies. Mennonites are perceived as very traditional and conservative. But in fact their communities contain a fascinating mix of conservative and prophetic Christians.
On Palm/Passion Sunday of this year, this letter went out, expressing distress at the exclusion of sisters and brothers who are are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT). Their hope is for a Church guided by the radical hospitality and extravagant love of Jesus.
Our United Church congregations also have considerable variety in their belief systems. There are Christians who fall all along the theological spectrum. But when we gather as a General Council to set our direction, as we will again this summer, we seem to choose to be inclusive, welcoming and hospitable. Over the years we have said yes to gay and lesbian Christians seeking to be ministers and to congregations having the right to perform same-sex marriages.
This letter from our denominational cousins challenges us to make this hospitality a deeper part of our own faith. “We believe that all people are invited to faithful fellowship in this Body, blessing for our deepest relationships of love and care, a spiritual home for ourselves and our children, and an opportunity to fully express the gifts for ministry that God has given to us.”
Amen and amen.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted.
That may come as a surprise. For the average citizen these days, the word Mennonite conjures up straw hats and horse-drawn buggies. Mennonites are perceived as very traditional and conservative. But in fact their communities contain a fascinating mix of conservative and prophetic Christians.
On Palm/Passion Sunday of this year, this letter went out, expressing distress at the exclusion of sisters and brothers who are are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT). Their hope is for a Church guided by the radical hospitality and extravagant love of Jesus.
Our United Church congregations also have considerable variety in their belief systems. There are Christians who fall all along the theological spectrum. But when we gather as a General Council to set our direction, as we will again this summer, we seem to choose to be inclusive, welcoming and hospitable. Over the years we have said yes to gay and lesbian Christians seeking to be ministers and to congregations having the right to perform same-sex marriages.
This letter from our denominational cousins challenges us to make this hospitality a deeper part of our own faith. “We believe that all people are invited to faithful fellowship in this Body, blessing for our deepest relationships of love and care, a spiritual home for ourselves and our children, and an opportunity to fully express the gifts for ministry that God has given to us.”
Amen and amen.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Father's Day
What a Father’s Day gift, to be able to listen to my father offering his reflections on fathers, family and faith with the Emmanuel community on Sunday. There was plenty of laughter and nodding of heads as he shared his memories and testimony.
He had asked me how long to speak. i suggested 15 minutes. He countered with 20. At 23 minuts he looked down at his watch and realized he had only convered one of his three points. My mother had warned him not to ramble. So he decided to wrap up it up on the spot. Mother knows best. At the door there were requests that he come back next week and continue on.
I caught a fragment of a radio show this week, asking, “If you could ask your father one question , what would it be?” Intriguing. After church we had a father’s day lunch and my sister asked my father, “Who taught you to dance?” And I learned another little piece of his life’s story.
We all have family members who are no longer with us to ask those questions. But there are members of your family or your church family or friends who are here and who have stories worth listening to and honouring.
Carpe Deum. Seize the day. Ask. Listen. Treasure.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
He had asked me how long to speak. i suggested 15 minutes. He countered with 20. At 23 minuts he looked down at his watch and realized he had only convered one of his three points. My mother had warned him not to ramble. So he decided to wrap up it up on the spot. Mother knows best. At the door there were requests that he come back next week and continue on.
I caught a fragment of a radio show this week, asking, “If you could ask your father one question , what would it be?” Intriguing. After church we had a father’s day lunch and my sister asked my father, “Who taught you to dance?” And I learned another little piece of his life’s story.
We all have family members who are no longer with us to ask those questions. But there are members of your family or your church family or friends who are here and who have stories worth listening to and honouring.
Carpe Deum. Seize the day. Ask. Listen. Treasure.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Monday, June 15, 2009
People, Planet and Profits
It didn’t get a lot of attention in the present economic climate but a couple of months ago, eleven banks joined to form an alliance called The Global Alliance for banking on Values.
Their hope is to provide an alternative to the current crisis in the global financial system. They are promoting the long term sustainable thinking and new forms of ownership and cooperation. The member banks hold assets of over 11 billion dollars Canadian and serve seven million customers in 20 countries.
At the launch Mr Peter Blum, CEO of Tridos Bank said the banks saw themselves as forces of change who stuck to simple core banking services that balance ‘people, planet and profits.’
One of the banks, ShoreBank Corporation, recently arranged for a $68 million loan fund that will help Bangladesh’s BRAC Bank, the world’s largest microfinance institution, making thousands of loans to the poor in Tanzania, Uganda and southern Sudan.
Here’s a group that is willing to risk investing in the poor. Good News in tough economic times.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Their hope is to provide an alternative to the current crisis in the global financial system. They are promoting the long term sustainable thinking and new forms of ownership and cooperation. The member banks hold assets of over 11 billion dollars Canadian and serve seven million customers in 20 countries.
At the launch Mr Peter Blum, CEO of Tridos Bank said the banks saw themselves as forces of change who stuck to simple core banking services that balance ‘people, planet and profits.’
One of the banks, ShoreBank Corporation, recently arranged for a $68 million loan fund that will help Bangladesh’s BRAC Bank, the world’s largest microfinance institution, making thousands of loans to the poor in Tanzania, Uganda and southern Sudan.
Here’s a group that is willing to risk investing in the poor. Good News in tough economic times.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Community - People Helping People
This morning, after the worship service in the church hall, there was a crowd of people circled around a couple of large posters. The invitation was to put a sticky next to the fund-raising idea that you would be willing to support. I wondered how this very busy and active group would respond when faced with a host of new volunteer activities, either offering a service or purchasing one.
Last month a cover story in Newsweek announced “The End of Christian America.” A Lutheran minister responded, acknowledging the decline in attendance at Sunday services but also commending those who do manage to make time to participate in faith communities.
He writes, “ There are still many families and individuals who are committed; they still manage to make it to worship on most Sunday mornings, they juggle their schedules so their kids can attend Sunday school and youth-group meetings while still playing sports or taking violin lessons, they make quilts for Africa, build homes for habitat for Humanity, service in local soup kitchens or food banks and spend their own money to go on mission trips.”
That sounds a lot like our community. Pretty hopeful stuff.
Peter
with thanks to Newsweek and Rev. John W. Futterer
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Last month a cover story in Newsweek announced “The End of Christian America.” A Lutheran minister responded, acknowledging the decline in attendance at Sunday services but also commending those who do manage to make time to participate in faith communities.
He writes, “ There are still many families and individuals who are committed; they still manage to make it to worship on most Sunday mornings, they juggle their schedules so their kids can attend Sunday school and youth-group meetings while still playing sports or taking violin lessons, they make quilts for Africa, build homes for habitat for Humanity, service in local soup kitchens or food banks and spend their own money to go on mission trips.”
That sounds a lot like our community. Pretty hopeful stuff.
Peter
with thanks to Newsweek and Rev. John W. Futterer
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
United For Peace
This morning our worship service celebrated the United for Peace Campaign of the United Church of Canada. I always feel more engaged in these international programs when there is an opportunity for a face to face encounter with key players.
That happened already not long ago when we heard about Susan’s time of accompaniment in Palestine and Israel at an Emmanuel Cafe evening. The ecumenical accompaniers had some fascinating insight into life on the other side of the Wall in the West Bank.
This morning we were able to hear from Lilia Solano and her perspectives on Canada’s relationship with Columbia. Lilia has serious misgivings about our government’s mantra that Canada’s free trade agreement will be beneficial to her people. she challenged us over these last couple fo weeks to consider the consequences of the business choices we make in our country. Lilia encouraged us to embrace and express the voice of the Church. A letter from a church in Canada can make a huge difference to a Colombian village facing exploitation or violence.
Our connection to United for Peace has one further dimension. We remembered in prayer two young people form our congregation who are travelling to Palestine. Meghan and Jesse are being commissioned in a Toronto church today and will soon be immersed in communities a world away from our experience. Our prayers accompany them and we eagerly await their return and their learnings and challenge to us.
Our engagement with the church around the world deeply enriches our community’s journey of faith. Being involved with such genuinely caring people, how can we be other than grateful.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
That happened already not long ago when we heard about Susan’s time of accompaniment in Palestine and Israel at an Emmanuel Cafe evening. The ecumenical accompaniers had some fascinating insight into life on the other side of the Wall in the West Bank.
This morning we were able to hear from Lilia Solano and her perspectives on Canada’s relationship with Columbia. Lilia has serious misgivings about our government’s mantra that Canada’s free trade agreement will be beneficial to her people. she challenged us over these last couple fo weeks to consider the consequences of the business choices we make in our country. Lilia encouraged us to embrace and express the voice of the Church. A letter from a church in Canada can make a huge difference to a Colombian village facing exploitation or violence.
Our connection to United for Peace has one further dimension. We remembered in prayer two young people form our congregation who are travelling to Palestine. Meghan and Jesse are being commissioned in a Toronto church today and will soon be immersed in communities a world away from our experience. Our prayers accompany them and we eagerly await their return and their learnings and challenge to us.
Our engagement with the church around the world deeply enriches our community’s journey of faith. Being involved with such genuinely caring people, how can we be other than grateful.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Ministry In The World - The Reason For Being
High profile musicians often get labelled as superficial, self promoters. Bob Smietana puts a dent in that stereotype in his interview with Derek Webb, a Nashville singer songwriter who also happens to be a Christian. Webb is drawing attention with his provocative new Web site.
That sounds less offensive when you realize that Webb had dedicated himself to building latrines in Africa. With 7,000 or 8,000 people a day dying in Africa from a lack of clean drinking water, Webb feels it is a sin that churches are not more involved. He says, “If you don’t follow Jesus to places like Africa, India and Asia, you might want to check whether or not, it is Jesus that you are following.”
With all the challenges facing mainline churches these days, it is tempting to see our social justice ministry here and abroad, as “extras” rather than “essentials”, as “wants” rather than “needs.”
I think the musician has got it right. A compassionate ministry in the world is the church’s reason for being. Let’s see where Jesus leads us.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
That sounds less offensive when you realize that Webb had dedicated himself to building latrines in Africa. With 7,000 or 8,000 people a day dying in Africa from a lack of clean drinking water, Webb feels it is a sin that churches are not more involved. He says, “If you don’t follow Jesus to places like Africa, India and Asia, you might want to check whether or not, it is Jesus that you are following.”
With all the challenges facing mainline churches these days, it is tempting to see our social justice ministry here and abroad, as “extras” rather than “essentials”, as “wants” rather than “needs.”
I think the musician has got it right. A compassionate ministry in the world is the church’s reason for being. Let’s see where Jesus leads us.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Monday, April 6, 2009
Coffee + Conversation + Faith = Action
Following the typical worship service, there is this rush up the stairs to coffee and conversation. This morning I saw newcomers being welcomed, committee work being updated, friends reconnecting, intergenerational conversations, personal health news being shared, actors from this morning’s drama being congratulated.
This is one of the most significant gathering places in our life as a community of faith and it meets a wide variety of needs.
It also is a time for theological reflection. This happens quite informally. We may not give it that designation, but that’s what it is - a reflection on the deeper parts of our lives.
She says, “That service reminded me of the time my children acted in a Palm Sunday play years ago..” and you get to hear a meaningful memory in her life.
Or he says, “Thank you for praying for that situation this morning. I have been involved in that issue for years...” and you get to hear about a what led to his involvement in a group working for change in the world.
This morning, coffee time was once again, priceless. Somebody told me, and I loosely quote, “While that service was going on, all I could think of was the situation in Afghanistan where husbands and the law that will allow husbands to legally rape their wives.... and the scene I saw of Taliban kicking women on the streets with impunity...”
A distressing but relevant reflection on the this morning’s faith story. This conversation moved from insight to action. “Can we do something about this?” And off she went with an idea on how we might respond as a church. This is one reason I often get inspired over Sunday morning coffee.
Peter
You may also send your comments to the assistant webmaster and I will make sure they are posted.
assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca
This is one of the most significant gathering places in our life as a community of faith and it meets a wide variety of needs.
It also is a time for theological reflection. This happens quite informally. We may not give it that designation, but that’s what it is - a reflection on the deeper parts of our lives.
She says, “That service reminded me of the time my children acted in a Palm Sunday play years ago..” and you get to hear a meaningful memory in her life.
Or he says, “Thank you for praying for that situation this morning. I have been involved in that issue for years...” and you get to hear about a what led to his involvement in a group working for change in the world.
This morning, coffee time was once again, priceless. Somebody told me, and I loosely quote, “While that service was going on, all I could think of was the situation in Afghanistan where husbands and the law that will allow husbands to legally rape their wives.... and the scene I saw of Taliban kicking women on the streets with impunity...”
A distressing but relevant reflection on the this morning’s faith story. This conversation moved from insight to action. “Can we do something about this?” And off she went with an idea on how we might respond as a church. This is one reason I often get inspired over Sunday morning coffee.
Peter
You may also send your comments to the assistant webmaster and I will make sure they are posted.
assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca
Monday, March 30, 2009
Assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero
Yesterday afternoon we gathered in the Emmanuel sanctuary to mark the 29th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Over the years I have shared in prayers for Romero and El Salvador in many different congregations, but to share in communion with Salvadoran Canadians, with people who knew Romero, with a congregation of people who have for the most part lived or travelled to El Salvador is a very different experience.
In his last sermon, delivered on the day before his murder on March 23, 1980, Romero challenged soldiers of the National Guard to choose between God and their government: God’s law says “Thou shalt not kill” so do not obey any orders to kill another human being.
“In the name of God, and in the name of this suffering people whose laments rise to heaven each day more tumultuous, I beg you, I beseech you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression. “
The sermon ended with those words, words that still ring with power all these years later. They underline one of the major themes of this season of lent, the cost of discipleship.
Peter
You may also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
In his last sermon, delivered on the day before his murder on March 23, 1980, Romero challenged soldiers of the National Guard to choose between God and their government: God’s law says “Thou shalt not kill” so do not obey any orders to kill another human being.
“In the name of God, and in the name of this suffering people whose laments rise to heaven each day more tumultuous, I beg you, I beseech you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression. “
The sermon ended with those words, words that still ring with power all these years later. They underline one of the major themes of this season of lent, the cost of discipleship.
Peter
You may also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thoughts on the Presidential Election in El Salvador.
It was the day before the presidential election in El Salvador. We, were having breakfast with one of the country’s national heroes, Salvador Sanchez.
He began his career as a primary school teacher but when many of his fellow teachers were assassinated by death squads, Sanchez took up arms. He rose to a senior position among the guerillas. Now Sanchez was the vice presidential candidate for the FMLN. The next day he would become the second most important person in the country.
The surprising thing to our group is that this leader would take the time on the day before the election, to meet with a roomful of national and international election observers from churches. Following his talk and a question and answer period, people lined up for autographs and pictures. Sanchez was not familiar to most of us but from the adoring looks of Salvadorans, we had a sense of what a significant figure he was to them.
After he had been whisked away to another event, I sat down in a shady chair. I fell into a conversation with a man sitting next to me. Luis was his name. Luis told me he was a Lutheran deacon, working in a town in the west of the country.
It had been a difficult couple of years for him. A group of other ministers had confronted him about his ministry. They were not in favour of his work. He was not taking the bible as the literal word of God. His theology was too concerned with this world rather than with saving souls for the next. And yet he felt that he was being faithful to his call, putting programs in place that were dealing with the whole person and the very practical needs of the community.
Nobody was lining up for pictures with Luis, but I felt the goodness of the man and of his work. I will remember him in prayer.
Peter
You may also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
He began his career as a primary school teacher but when many of his fellow teachers were assassinated by death squads, Sanchez took up arms. He rose to a senior position among the guerillas. Now Sanchez was the vice presidential candidate for the FMLN. The next day he would become the second most important person in the country.
The surprising thing to our group is that this leader would take the time on the day before the election, to meet with a roomful of national and international election observers from churches. Following his talk and a question and answer period, people lined up for autographs and pictures. Sanchez was not familiar to most of us but from the adoring looks of Salvadorans, we had a sense of what a significant figure he was to them.
After he had been whisked away to another event, I sat down in a shady chair. I fell into a conversation with a man sitting next to me. Luis was his name. Luis told me he was a Lutheran deacon, working in a town in the west of the country.
It had been a difficult couple of years for him. A group of other ministers had confronted him about his ministry. They were not in favour of his work. He was not taking the bible as the literal word of God. His theology was too concerned with this world rather than with saving souls for the next. And yet he felt that he was being faithful to his call, putting programs in place that were dealing with the whole person and the very practical needs of the community.
Nobody was lining up for pictures with Luis, but I felt the goodness of the man and of his work. I will remember him in prayer.
Peter
You may also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
God's Call
Sometimes God’ call is unavoidable. It just comes knocking on the door. That was the case for Sister Eugenia Bonetti. He first call took her from Rome to Africa where she worked for 24 years. When she returned to Rome, she responded to another call.
A young woman came to the door begging for help. She had escaped from her captors who had made her a sex slave. She was a Christian and asked the sisters to pray. This encounter opened Sister Bonetti’s eyes to the extent of the evil of human trafficking. She has been helping to open others’ eyes ever since.
Her own congregation now has 250 sisters working to provide safe havens and rehabilitation for these victims of modern slavery. She has connected with sisters around the world and organized them into a network of support and service. She has pushed governments to catch up with the church.
Eleanor Gaeten, senior coordinator for public policy in at the US State Department said it was faith-based groups and women such as Sister Bonetti who first brought the issue to the attention of lawmakers and government officials. These sisters were the ones visiting the slaves in detention and following up with them when they were released.
The sisters have the background of working with the poor. They are more trusted than the police. They have that welcoming and comforting maternal presence. A great need meets a compassionate heart. What a perfect fit.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca
and I will make sure they are posted
A young woman came to the door begging for help. She had escaped from her captors who had made her a sex slave. She was a Christian and asked the sisters to pray. This encounter opened Sister Bonetti’s eyes to the extent of the evil of human trafficking. She has been helping to open others’ eyes ever since.
Her own congregation now has 250 sisters working to provide safe havens and rehabilitation for these victims of modern slavery. She has connected with sisters around the world and organized them into a network of support and service. She has pushed governments to catch up with the church.
Eleanor Gaeten, senior coordinator for public policy in at the US State Department said it was faith-based groups and women such as Sister Bonetti who first brought the issue to the attention of lawmakers and government officials. These sisters were the ones visiting the slaves in detention and following up with them when they were released.
The sisters have the background of working with the poor. They are more trusted than the police. They have that welcoming and comforting maternal presence. A great need meets a compassionate heart. What a perfect fit.
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca
and I will make sure they are posted
Saturday, February 28, 2009
John Updike - A Great Loss
Ever since the recent death of John Updike on January 27, I have been feeling the loss and wishing I could attend a memorial service in his honour. That of course did not happen but I did get a chance to do some reflection on his passing.
A friend who knows I love John Updike’s writing, put me onto an interview with Adam Gopnik on the Charlie Rose show. Gopnik listed his reasons for admiring this genius. Google Charlie Rose if you are interested.
Gopnik’s final point was that Updike had a great subject for his writing - the loss of faith and its replacement with sex, shallow spirituality, our family and shopping. Updike is sympathetic to this search. He doesn’t scold. But he does observe that these substitutes are inadequate.
Gopnik does not mention that John Updike was a Christian. On Sunday morning he could be found in a Congregational pew in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. More than that, he served on the church’s building committee.
John Buchanan, in the Christian Century, leaves with us an observation by Updike of taking a walk on one of those sunny days in late autumn.
“Why do we love them, these last days of something like summer, of freedom to move in few clothes, though frost has flattened the morning grass? They tell us we shall live forever. Stretched like a rainbow across day’s end, my shadow makes a path for my feet: I am my path.”
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
A friend who knows I love John Updike’s writing, put me onto an interview with Adam Gopnik on the Charlie Rose show. Gopnik listed his reasons for admiring this genius. Google Charlie Rose if you are interested.
Gopnik’s final point was that Updike had a great subject for his writing - the loss of faith and its replacement with sex, shallow spirituality, our family and shopping. Updike is sympathetic to this search. He doesn’t scold. But he does observe that these substitutes are inadequate.
Gopnik does not mention that John Updike was a Christian. On Sunday morning he could be found in a Congregational pew in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. More than that, he served on the church’s building committee.
John Buchanan, in the Christian Century, leaves with us an observation by Updike of taking a walk on one of those sunny days in late autumn.
“Why do we love them, these last days of something like summer, of freedom to move in few clothes, though frost has flattened the morning grass? They tell us we shall live forever. Stretched like a rainbow across day’s end, my shadow makes a path for my feet: I am my path.”
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Eboo Patel and Progressive Islam
Watch out for this name. Eboo Patel. I can’t think of a more hopeful voice for interfaith dialogue. Patel is rallying young people to a kinder gentler Islam than gets most of the press these days. Progressive Christians will find a like-minded thinker in this progressive Islam.
Rose Marie Berger of Sojourners asked Patel what he would like Christians to know about Islam. He answered, “Three things...
1. The core tenet of Islam is mercy. “In the name of God, the all merciful, the ever merciful.... Be merciful on earth if you want the one in heaven to be merciful to you.
2. Diversity and pluralism is revered in Islam. One of Patel’s favourite line in the Quran is from Surah 49 - “God made you different nations and tribes that you may come to know one another.”
3. Islam is a tradition that has inspired jazz and poetry and love in one fifth of humanity for many centuries. It’s a remarkably diverse group of people so don’t think simple things about them.
Nice to see charismatic leaders that want to give this world a shake. In a good way.
Peter
You can also send your comments to the assistant webmaster assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Rose Marie Berger of Sojourners asked Patel what he would like Christians to know about Islam. He answered, “Three things...
1. The core tenet of Islam is mercy. “In the name of God, the all merciful, the ever merciful.... Be merciful on earth if you want the one in heaven to be merciful to you.
2. Diversity and pluralism is revered in Islam. One of Patel’s favourite line in the Quran is from Surah 49 - “God made you different nations and tribes that you may come to know one another.”
3. Islam is a tradition that has inspired jazz and poetry and love in one fifth of humanity for many centuries. It’s a remarkably diverse group of people so don’t think simple things about them.
Nice to see charismatic leaders that want to give this world a shake. In a good way.
Peter
You can also send your comments to the assistant webmaster assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will make sure they are posted.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
There's Probably No God
So the Freethought Association of Canada is stepping up its campaign to place provocative ads on buses. “There’s Probably No God. Now Stop Worrying and Enjoy Your Life.”
Should Chrstians be upset? Should we write letters? March somewhere? Take a stand and register our vote that there is a God. So far more people are voting against, which means what. That antis are more tech savy than pros? Who knows? And why should United Church folk get upset? We are all for provocative ads that stimulate dilaogue on the big issues.
Let’s hope that the church doesn’t get pushed into a defensive posture once again. Is our faith not big enough to accept critique or disagreement? Maybe not. Recently the Vatican newspaper reported that John Lennon is now officially forgiven for claiming in 1966 that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.” Apparently that led some Christians to burn Beatles albums.
Maybe if we took ourselves a little less seriously, others would take us more seriously.
Peter
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Monday, February 9, 2009
Misbehaving In Church
What do you do when it’s your kid that’s misbehaving in church? Well it may be a stretch to call a 2 year old’s antics, misbehaving, but they certainly can be a distraction to the ones trying to pay attention to a speaker or a prayer.
I have watched many kids over the years, as little ones begin to get louder or make a break for freedom while parents look on, wondering if and when to intervene. This time it would be my granddaughter distracting the flock.
There we were, 70 plus Emmanuelites gathered for worship after a day of snow, rain and hail on the hills at Gray Rocks. Our theme followed the scripture of Jesus reaching out a hand to touch Simon's mother in law and invite her back to health. The question for our discussion was, when have we experienced someone reaching out a hand to us to invite us into the community of God’s care? Can you remember a person who did that for you?
At first it was just quiet twirling about in the middle of the big circle. Not too annoying while we were singing. Just feeling the music. Maybe the parents should grab her but she dances just beyond convenient reach.
Then others begin to join her. A liberation movement is afoot. The timing is not good because now there are speakers trying to communicate a message. Eventually our little angel body-slams another 2 year old into the carpet. Her dad sprints to the scene and carries her back to the seat next to me. Mackenzie begins to cry as she realizes that she has disappointed. Or maybe she is just ticked to have lost her audience.
Then her little victim, noticing the tears, sympathetically approaches. Mackenzie gets down, reaches a hand out, very gently touches the face of the little girl and says, “Sorry.”
Myrna, from across the room, says, “There’s the example you were asking for.” Myrna is one of the grandmothers in the room. She knows about these things.
Peter
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Monday, February 2, 2009
Road To Revitilization
Today our congregation made a decision to take another step down the road toward the revitalization of the CE building. As we were told, this is not a commitment to a precise set of blueprints or to an exact amount of money. Other steps and future decisions still lie ahead. But it was a big step.
What I found striking was not just the Eleison but the careful process that got us here. The biggest rounds of applause at the meeting were reserved for the long list of folks that did the “in the trenches” committee work. Cam Johnston thanked the committees involved for their hundreds of hours of work. Chair Graham Kneen read out the names of the many volunteers. What this said to me is that administration matters. How many great ideas have floundered on poor administration. Not the case here.
Louis Weeks in a recent Christian Century article, stresses the importance of the administrative side of a church operation. “How meetings are run, how new leaders are apprenticed, how the books are kept, how communication is structured, how events and programs are implemented and evaluated - all of this is crucial to congregational life, but rarely understood as ministry.”
So today we worshipped, shared sandwiches and coffee, and then weighed the reports and recommendations before us. All of this, and perhaps especially the professional and sensitive administration was a profound statement about our community and our ministry.
Peter
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Monday, January 26, 2009
A Community of Faith
This morning’s worship service was a celebration of fifty years of worship, learning, growing in community and outreach at Emmanuel United. There were photographs and stories from a variety of folks, telling why this church was important in their lives.
One thing that struck me was how a number of meaningful faith experiences took place outside the walls of the building. There were stories of canoe trips and family camps, vespers services, bible study groups that met in homes and service-learning trips to places far from Ottawa. It was a clear reminder that the story of a church is the story of a community of people whose faith goes with them and engages them wherever they go.
The building is still important. We needed a place this morning that was large enough to gather the whole group together. We needed a kitchen and a hall with space to serve a large partnership dinner yesterday and an anniversary lunch today. The building is important for all kinds of groups in the community we serve. And so it is part of our mission and one of the resources we use and share with others.
Next week, following worship, we meet to consider the future of our CE Hall. As I listen and consider what is before us, I will be thinking about some of the stories we heard today, of a people that meet in this sacred space and from here go out to encounter and embody sacred space in all the world.
Peter
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Sunday, January 18, 2009
A Celebration Of A New Era
We had a Tuesday workshop cancelled this week. I have reason to believe that some of the dropouts are due to the Inauguration ceremony in Washington. I sympathize. This is a big deal for the US and for citizens around the world. There are Inauguration parties happening in our city. I know people going to these celebrations who would never have dreamed of attending such an event . It will be a celebration of a new era. How exciting and glorious is yet to be seen. There will be lots of people watching the ceremony and there will certainly be no shortage of advice for President Obama.
I read a Sojourners column form Nicholas Kristof, op-ed columnist for the New York Times and a two time Pulitzer Prize winner. Here are some selected lines:
"Your campaign fired up supporters from around the country and galvanized them to ring door bells and make phone calls. Now you need to institutionalize that enthusiasm with a national service program - not just for young people, but also for retirees." ( read here - Samuel and Eli from today's scripture story)
Kristoff reminds us that top down efforts sometimes disappoint. He advocates getting millions involved themselves in education, health and poverty programs around the world. He cites the example of supporting education for girls. The ripple effects of this are astounding.
Doesn't that sound like our service-learning trips here at Emmanuel? We've been doing this very thing in a thoughtful and consistent manner for years here at Emmanuel. Looks like we are on the cutting edge after all.
Peter
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Monday, January 12, 2009
The Church and Communications in the 21st Century
The United Church’s award winning publication, the Observer, continues to adapt to the new world of communication. You can already visit the magazine online, check out the story archive, join the Observer’s news group at Facebook.com.
And now there is YouTube. The United Church’s Spirit Connection ended its twenty year run on Vision TV just over a year ago. So what should we do next?
Catherine Rodd, the United Church’s multimedia producer, said, “You- Tube is a whole new medium for us; it seemed like the perfect evolution .”
It is an effort to keep up with the pace of change in communication. But that is our business, communicating good news. We don’t have the right to ignore the shift that is taking palce nor the luxury of taking another ten years to figure it out. We need to have this conversation now, with all of its diversity of positions and opinions.
How do you think we’re doing? How would the young people we know rate our progress? What does Emmanuel need to do to continue to evolve?
Can we talk?
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.caand I will make sure they are posted
And now there is YouTube. The United Church’s Spirit Connection ended its twenty year run on Vision TV just over a year ago. So what should we do next?
Catherine Rodd, the United Church’s multimedia producer, said, “You- Tube is a whole new medium for us; it seemed like the perfect evolution .”
It is an effort to keep up with the pace of change in communication. But that is our business, communicating good news. We don’t have the right to ignore the shift that is taking palce nor the luxury of taking another ten years to figure it out. We need to have this conversation now, with all of its diversity of positions and opinions.
How do you think we’re doing? How would the young people we know rate our progress? What does Emmanuel need to do to continue to evolve?
Can we talk?
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.caand I will make sure they are posted
Monday, January 5, 2009
Everywhere I look at this time of year, I see comments on the best films, books, and photos of 2008. There are awards for the best athletes, and the best teams. We are reminded of the famous who passed away, the newsworthy events, the moments that horrified and delighted us.
What about the significant religious quotes? The Christian Century magazine collects a number of these each year. Here are a few that caught my attention:
“Try to find another way to help or find your goal. This bomb, this weapons, it’s not good to use it for anybody.”
-Omar bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, speaking against the violence inspired by his father
“I am deeply ashamed, and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future.”
- Pope Benedict XVI, addressing the clergy-sex abuse scandal that has cost the Catholic Church more than $2 billion and distressed the U.S. Catholic community
“I’d like to see the CEOs of these companies march down Wall Street in sackcloth and ashes.”
-ABC News analyst Cokie Roberts, about the Wall street executives who are asking Washington to bail out their companies
“She scares me. She’s Jerry Falwell with a pretty face.”
-Retired American Baptist pastor Howard Bess of Palmer, Alaska, who says his book, Pastor, I am Gay, was on a “hit list” of books that vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin wanted banned when she was mayor of neighbouring Wasilla
What are the religious events or quotes from 2008 that left an impression on you?
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.caand I will make sure they are posted.
What about the significant religious quotes? The Christian Century magazine collects a number of these each year. Here are a few that caught my attention:
“Try to find another way to help or find your goal. This bomb, this weapons, it’s not good to use it for anybody.”
-Omar bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, speaking against the violence inspired by his father
“I am deeply ashamed, and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future.”
- Pope Benedict XVI, addressing the clergy-sex abuse scandal that has cost the Catholic Church more than $2 billion and distressed the U.S. Catholic community
“I’d like to see the CEOs of these companies march down Wall Street in sackcloth and ashes.”
-ABC News analyst Cokie Roberts, about the Wall street executives who are asking Washington to bail out their companies
“She scares me. She’s Jerry Falwell with a pretty face.”
-Retired American Baptist pastor Howard Bess of Palmer, Alaska, who says his book, Pastor, I am Gay, was on a “hit list” of books that vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin wanted banned when she was mayor of neighbouring Wasilla
What are the religious events or quotes from 2008 that left an impression on you?
Peter
You can also send your comments to assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.caand I will make sure they are posted.
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