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In the Season of Easter (that was way back last spring) we offered a number of events and activities for people that would help express spirituality in new and different ways. One of those activities was Sacred Circle Dance. It proved to be so meaningful that we have kept the dance going ever since.
Each Thursday night our Faith Trek hall is filled with spiritual music and usually about a dozen or so women who enter into a time of fun, movement and creating sacred space. It is a wonderful special hour and a half every week that fills the room with spirit and touches the spirit of each dancer. The best part is (especially for someone like me!) there is no previous experience or even any particular skill required. The dances are each taught every time and the steps are simple and repetitive.
Spirituality is a very popular word these days. Many people say they are ‘spiritual but not religious’. The mystic Rumi said, “We rarely hear the inward music, but we’re all dancing to it nevertheless.” Sacred, circle dance is one of those activities that provide a bridge between the religious and the spiritual. It is a way to praise God that is inclusive, prayerful, renewing and it even provides some gentle exercise – a good thing after a day of sitting at a desk. Every Thursday night when the dancing ends we find it hard to leave the circle - the energy in the room claims us as members of a circle and we don’t want to walk away from that. For our Friday poem I offer the lyrics of Leonard Cohen. Have a great weekend!
Dance Me To The End Of Love
- by Leonard Cohen
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
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Happy Ground Hog Day! What a great day. It is February, the best month of the year – it is short – it is dramatic and it is the month of my birth! How’s that for a plug? Those of you that know me know that I advertise long and hard for my birthday, this is the first salvo! (Yep, I already have two birthday cards.)
Now, to the point of my blog, God -incidences. Last night I was in conversation with some very cool and interesting women that I have been meeting with for a few months to discuss spirituality. The term God -incidence came up a few times. It was not the first time I had heard the term but for some reason it has stuck with me all day. So, I googled it and sure enough there it was, in fact, there were 3,860,000 results.
We all know what a coincidence is: “A striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance”. So what is a god-incidence? One person’s description, “a coincidence that appear to be bad at the outset, but later turns out to be a silver lining and a path changing incident. These things are god-incidences”. Or as another person described it, “the cumulative impact of special incidents that put people in a position where it would require more faith to disbelieve that these convergences are rooted in Ultimate Reality or God.”
I would have to say that there have been events in my life that feel bigger than coincidence. Moments, experiences and the coming together of certain people that have lifted me from the human realm into a space that seems bigger and more sacred than the day to day. In fact I think if we start to look at experiences and moments we can see all kinds of grace and insight that would seem beyond our own imaging. That would be a God-incidence something beyond human working. To call it a coincidence is to surrender it to happenstance and disorder. To call it a God-incidence means that there is something – The Holy Spirit, the Universe, God, goodness, love, a Higher Power, grace, call it what you will - something that makes a difference in the course of life.
I have been watching for God-incidences today. I think it is like most things it is only when we become intentional that we start to see them.
Have you experienced a God-incidence lately? Want to share it?
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This week Canadian heart throb Justin Bieber made headlines again. But not for the kind of notoriety that often accompanies celebrity. It is well known that Bieber is a charitable guy but he outdid himself when one of his fans, Helene Campbell, tweeted about her struggles including her need for a lung transplant. Bieber responded and in doing so encouraged people to commit to organ transplants. As a result the Ontario-based Trillium Gift of Life Network has seen donations skyrocket to more than 1,200 people, four times the amount the network usually receives.
There are over 1,500 people in Ontario waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. I personally know two people whose lives were saved by transplants for one it was a liver for the other lungs. Their recovery and return to life has been nothing short of miraculous.
Good for the Biebs for doing his part and turning his celebrity to good. Shortly after his initial tweet Helene Campbell tweeted back to him, “you have made a huge impact, not only on my life, but for many others in need of the gift of life now and in the future!” His response? “glad to be of help. best part of what I do”
Way to go Justin!
His is an example of the power that one person has to turn to good works. The power of Jesus shows the effect that one can have on community. The scattered and gathered body of Christ in the world is a community of individuals who alone are nothing, but together can accomplish great things.
I know it is time for our Friday poem and I know that last week I reverted to prose instead. Don’t think this is a trend but I love this little story and it fits with the Justin - Helene story so it is prose instead of poetry again this week. Like most good stories the source is Unknown.
…tell me the weight of a snowflake”, said the mouse to the dove. “Nothing more than nothing,” was the answer. In that case I must tell you a marvelous story”, the coal mouse said. “I sat on the branch of a fir, near the trunk, when it began to snow – not raging – but just like in a dream – steadily and heavily. I decided to count the snowflakes on the next branch. Their number was exactly 3,741,952. When the next flake fell, nothing more than nothing, as you say, the branch broke.” Having said that the mouse scampered away … “
Perhaps only one persons’ voice is lacking to make a difference.
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I settled down last night to watch President Obama deliver his State of the Union address. I didn’t last through the whole thing but I did watch his coming in and going out and heard enough to get the gist of his theme. Nobody does self-congratulations like the Americans. I love how they applaud and stand throughout the speech – urging on their leader and pretending excitement over the smallest of things. I say this not to diminish or poke fun. I really do admire that American way of doing things. It is just so unlike the way Canadians behave!
And while south of the border the talk was all about the State of the Union here in Canada we were having a kind of State of the Union talk ourselves. Ours was a different kind of union and maybe an acknowledgment that we aren’t really all the united. Ours was a meeting of the Prime Minister and federal officials with leaders from 400 native communities from across Canada. The discussion focused on the need to negotiate treaty settlements and the problems experienced from every side with the antiquated Indian Act.
While these two events were dominating news in North America around the globe there was the celebration of the first anniversary of the beginnings of the Arab Spring the wave of protests and demonstrations. It was a year ago that 18 days of massive protests began in Cairo which resulted in the end of President Hosni Mubarak 30 year presidency.
Sometimes I feel like the political agenda has a direct impact on my life but most of the time it feels like something that goes on far away and that it has little impact on me and what I do day- by-day. I think this is because I live in that blissful state of being amongst the minority in our world who lives with my needs met and many luxuries on top of that. I don’t have to claw my way to the top of the heap for attention. A look into many of our First Nations Reserves reveals a standard of living that most would find deplorable. But we can’t seem to conquer even that divide of rich and poor and the sharing of resources in an equitable fashion.
What about you? How does the political action in our own country and around the world impact your faith story and your day to day life? Or does it? Does the Christian story have anything to offer us as we sort through political conundrums?
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These days after Christmas the scripture readings prescribed in the lectionary are mostly about being called. We have, or will, hear about the call of the disciples, the call of Samuel, the call of Jonah; we hear again and again the old stories of people being called by to God to enter into relationship and from that to offer service. It’s good to hear those stories again. It reminds of that God seeks out anyone and everyone for the higher purposes. I think being a disciple is the greatest thrill and the greatest challenge life offers.
This week our neighbours to the south celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day. In recognition of that our Friday poem becomes Friday prose as we read this quote from Martin Luther King Jr. He simultaneously admonished and inspired people with the phrase, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” No matter whom we are, no matter our gifts or skills, no matter our background or our circumstance we can respond to the call to serve.
From “The Drum Major Instinct” a sermon by Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want to be important – wonderful. If you want to be recognized – wonderful. If you want to be great – wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s your new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it … by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve; you don’t have to know the second theory or thermodynamics to serve. You need only a heart full of grace; a soul generated by love; and you can be that servant.”
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Eastman Kodak Co, the photography icon that invented the hand-held camera and helped bring the world the first pictures from the moon, has filed for bankruptcy protection. One of America's best-known companies has filed papers with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Manhattan. Kodak had about $5.1 billion of assets and $6.75 billion of liabilities at the end of September.
Kodak once dominated its industry and its film ‘Kodachrome’ was the subject of a popular Paul Simon song, but the company failed to embrace more modern technologies quickly enough, such as the digital camera -- ironically, a product it even invented. It seems that Kodak just couldn’t keep up with change and lost ground as the nature of photography progressed in new and different ways.
Kodak is not unique…ask RIM! Their stories raise issues and challenges that we need to address in every aspect of life. Changing and adapting is hard. Talk to me about figuring out my Ipod or learning how to work my recently acquired TV remote with so many features I never know which button to push, not to mention the new keyboard I (am trying to) type this on.
Our Executive Council is considering the way we do things here at BUC. There will be some changes proposed at our Annual Meeting next month. Some of the proposed changes to our Constitution are because we think there is a better way of doing things. But most of the changes reflect the practice we have adopted over the past years that vary from what our constitution says. We need to bring what it says on paper in line with how we actually do things. Just the same some folks are feeling a little uneasy. The old “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” attitude comes into play. But sometimes we have to recognize that while it may not be totally broke it is not in the best condition.
The Exodus story tells of Moses bringing the people of Israel from captivity in Egypt to the Promised Land. The story says that they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. When one looks at the geography of the Middle East it is clear that the journey should not have taken that long! 40 years represents the passing of a generation. Among other things the story points to the fact that to move from the old ways to the new ways often takes the passing of a generation. It’s true – how many grandparents ask their grandkids how to work their computer?
There are many references in scripture that call us to embrace new ways, to see God doing new things, to walk with open minds and hearts into the future God gives us. The trick is to move from reading the scripture to living the life!
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Today many of the big web sites like Wikipedia and Google are blacked out. They are denying their service in protest of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. They fear that it could dramatically change free and open internet.
Today’s blackout hasn’t had a huge impact on me other than it did cause me to stop and think a bit about the role that the internet has come to play in my life. You see the blackout coincided with me sending out some e-mails today concerning our upcoming trip to Jordan and Israel. All but two of my travelling companions are on-line. It is so easy to send out a quick e-mail with information. My challenge is to remember the two that are not on line and to then print off the e-mail and phone them to tell them to pick up the note the next time they are at the church. It is not a big deal but it makes me realize how we have shifted our means of communication from paper and stamp to type and click!
I have been thinking about how much time I spend at the computer and particularly on the web – reading information, following trails of interest. I can sit down to have a quick check on my e-mail, get drawn to a web site because of a message someone sent, go from there to another web site that will interest me and before I know it an hour has passed! Now, I know that I am not alone when I complain that I do not have enough time in my day to pray, to exercise, the read … all those noble pursuits. Sometimes I need to remind myself of all the time I spend “being connected” and admit that if I spent as much time “connected” to my soul-work I would be down-right pious!
How about you – do you spend more and more time reading blogs like mine and therefore less and less time doing other things? Do you think that is a bad thing or just the ways things are now?
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It’s Friday the 13th – an ominous day for anyone who is superstitious. For people of faith we are more apt to just say “Thanks God - it’s Friday”!
I have been thinking a lot lately about how to improve my life. Maybe it is still the hangover from the whole New Year’s resolution thing. It could be that at our staff planning this week we shared around the questions, “What do I need from you to do my work? - What do you need from me to do your work?” -always a good process to clarify communication and working styles. And it might be because at a recent gathering of some spirit-filled women I shared this quote, “At some point we all feel the longing for something more. We might meditate, read, take another course, change jobs or more in hopes of finding an antidote to this dis-ease. The more we long for has been explained as a greater union with the Absolute/God, or a better understanding of Reality, or a heightened Enlightenment.” And then we talked about what the “more” is that each of us long for? In my answering the question I realized I am longing for more down-time, I want to read more and watch TV less. I have to face the laziness I feel when I come home and just flop in front of the TV rather than doing something more edifying.
I know that most often when I ask a question of a group I am leading it is because it is a question I need to answer for myself. So if you see me lost in thought these days I am pondering the “more” I am longing for. Along that line here is our Friday poem. I shared writing from Ann Weems before. She does a marvelous job of capturing emotion in her words. I read this poem last Sunday in our worship services and several people asked for copies.
Star-Giving by Ann Weems, taken from Kneeling in Bethlehem
What I’d really like to give you for Christmas
is a star…
Brilliance in a package,
something you could keep in the pocket of your jeans
or the pocket of your being.
Something to take out in times of darkness,
something that would never snuff out or tarnish,
something you could hold in your hand,
something for wonderment,
something for pondering,
something that would remind you of
shat Christmas has always meant:
God’s Advent Light into the darkness of this world.
But stars are only God’s for giving,
and I must be content to give you words and wishes and
packages without stars.
But I can wish you life
as radiant as the Star
that announced the Christ Child’s coming,
and as filled with awe as the shepherds who stood
beneath its light.
And I can pass on to you the love
that has been given to me,
ignited countless times by others
who have knelt in Bethlehem’s light.
Perhaps, if you ask, God will give you a star.
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It was two years ago today that a powerful earthquake struck the island country of Haiti and changed the life of its population. The devastating quake of 2010 displaced 1.5 million people and two years later more than 500,000 people still live in temporary camps. This means that more than two-thirds have found some sort of housing but 500,000 people is a lot of people living in make-shift conditions.
The challenges are huge. Haiti was already facing major issues like grinding poverty and low employment opportunity. But after the quake the country had to face dealing with the mess of mangled buildings as well as illness and despair. Cholera is just one health threat lurking in the crowded and unsanitary camps. Since the earthquake one issue hindering the rebuilding has been property ownership which has proven to be a tangled mess and often difficult to unravel.
There is a flurry of reporting on Haiti these days due to the anniversary but for much of the time now it is back page news.
Meanwhile the current front-page news takes us to Syria where anti-government protesters come to the streets at night to protest against the Assad government. President Bahsar al-Assad has a firm grip on the military and thousands of protestors have been beaten, imprisoned or killed. As the uprising reaches its tenth month no one feels safe even media that are there to report to the world were shot at and injured yesterday. But the protestors are getting to the point of having nothing to lose.
All this leads me to ask what is the responsibility of the global community to countries in distress? Sure these two situations are quite different in scope and need but just the same, what is our role as a wealthy country to these distant neighbours? Do these situations raise faith questions for you? I would be interested to hear your responses – click on comments below - and let me know what you think.
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Did the 12 drumming drummers arrive at your door this morning? That’s right, today is the 12th day of Christmas and therefore today will be the end of the daily gifts promised in the song. Today, January 6th is Epiphany. This is the day that celebrates the arrival of the Wise Ones who, after following stars for days and days, finally found what they were looking for. The season of Christmas is over, yes, it lasts until today even though you have already returned and exchanged the gifts you did not want and the stripped Christmas tree slumps behind the garage waiting for pick-up.
The story that is the basis for this Epiphany Day found in the Gospel of Matthew. It is a story of political intrigue, mystery, discovery and dangerously close calls. It is also the source that inspires young and old to dress in bathrobes and traipse down the church aisle to the song “We Three Kings”. But more importantly the wise one show us that plans can be changed, that it often takes a lot of searching and wandering until we finally discover the holy in the humblest of places, and that the promise of God’s love can be threatening to people who want to be in control.
The Greek word Epiphaneia: means appearance, manifestation, coming. Epiphanino: means to give light. Epephanen: to be revealed. These are good ways to describe the arrival of the holy into our midst. Happy Epiphany!
Here’s our Friday poem…
God Beyond Borders by Jan L. Richardson
God beyond borders,
May I wander
With wanting enough
To unlearn my path,
With wonder enough
To receive the secrets of each place,
With wisdom enough
To allow them to whisper me
Home a different way.
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You must have seen it coming - it was inevitable really – our last blog of the year will be about resolutions! How else could we end the year than making a pledge to do things differently in the New Year? I know many dismiss the notion of making New Year’s resolutions and even though I have never been very good at keeping them I do find it a healthy process. It is kind of clearing space to assess what I am doing and what I would like to change.
We keep a poster in the Faith Trek Hall (that is the room the kids gather in each Sunday morning before heading off to their activity). It says, “You can always be a better person today than the one you were yesterday.” I think that is a noble goal. Our past informs who we are but it doesn’t make us who we are. God is constantly calling us into becoming a new creation.
Here’s our Friday poem. I think it’s a good one to carry us into the New Year.
The Guest House
by Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks)
This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
Who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
For some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes
Because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.
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Now that we have recycled all those papers with our grocery lists, our gift lists and our ‘To Do’ lists we turn our attention to all the ‘Highlights of 2011’ lists. Every news broadcast, newspaper and web site is offering lists of the news-making events, the fashion faux pas, the marriages that ended, the babies born, etc. etc. for the year 2011. What are you making lists of these days? Of course the obvious at this time of year is a list of New Year’s Resolutions. But before moving too quickly into the New Year of 2012 why not linger a bit in the year that has just passed? What were the highlights and, yes, let’s face them - the low lights of 2011 for you?
One of my favourite verses of scripture is Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” You will often hear me complain about our popular culture that rapidly pushes us from one season to the next. We are still only on Day Four of the Twelve Days of Christmas. (Has the mail carrier delivered your Four Calling Birds yet?) So, let’s just sit a little longer in the Christmas sentimentality and reflect on the year that is soon to be swept out the door. Let’s number our days in a way that we might gain some wisdom.
Wisdom often comes because of reflection and recognizing the influence of the Spirit even in retrospect. As you look back consider a few questions …
Who are the people that have had influence on you this year? There will, no doubt, be family members, friends, neighbours, members of the congregation, and newsmakers on your list.
Who are the people who have helped you to grow and change?
Who are those who confronted you with love and kindness to help you alter behaviour? Put them on your list!
Who are the ones who supported you when you were troubled, cried with you when life seemed unfair, danced with you when joy overtook you? Name them on your list of people you thank God for.
What were the surprises of the year that is passing?
What happened that caused grief and sadness to overtake you? How were you helped through those times?
How did the Spirit nudge you, challenge you and change you?
As you look back, were there events that at the time seemed nothing but challenge but now look to you like moments of grace? Thank God for those too.
Wisdom comes to us not by rushing from one season to the next but by living in the moment, learning from it and thanking God for it. Making this kind of list is so much more heartening than a ‘To Do’ list! So grab your pen and paper and get listing!
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Tonight Bracebridge United Church will host over 700 people coming to worship over the course of our three services. It will take approximately 50 volunteers generously offering their time to fold bulletins, usher, greet, make music, and provide a dinner for those of us who will be here from 4 o’clock until close to midnight. It is a tremendous effort of devotion and discipleship.
Christmas Eve comes and with it a hush sweeps over the church as people silently pass from one to another the candlelight from the Christ candle and then as one voice we sing “Silent Night Holy Night”.
Christmas can bring out the worst in people but more often it brings out the best in people. I have saved our ‘Friday poem’ for this Christmas Eve. I have taken this poem from the blog of a friend of mine (Yes, the blogger I have used as a model for my feeble effort.) He tells that his father a United Church minister used this poem on Christmas Eve. He, a United Church minister has also used it in his ministry and now his son, a United Church minister has requested it for his first Christmas Eve service, a nice family Christmas tradition.
The poem reminds us that Christmas can be a time for a most important Christian act – forgiveness.
With this I send the wish that many blessings may come to you and yours for a wonderful Christmas.
TOUCH HANDS -- anonymous
Ah friends, dear friends
as years grow on
and heads get grey
how fast the guests do go.
Touch hands.
Touch hands with those that stay.
strong hands to weak
old hands to young
around the Christmas board.
Touch hands.
The false forget
the foe forgive.
for every guest will go
and every fire burn low
and empty cabin stand.
Forget!...Forgive!
for who may say that Christmas Day
may never come
to host or guest again.
Touch hands.
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As I write this there is a man talking on the radio about desserts. He says we come into the world craving sweetness. Finally someone is singing from my page of the hymn book!!!!! In fact, he has written a whole book on the dessert culture.
This radio broadcast comes hard on the heels of a news item I heard this morning that there is a 70 year old fruit cake for sale! It seems that Larry Chaney, who has a business liquidating estates, has made some interesting finds in his years of liquidating estates but none quite like this. The fruitcake has a note attached that is dated 1971. It says, “This fruitcake is one of six purchased by the undersigned in 1941. During its 30 years of life, the cake has traveled thousands of miles and has been subjected to all types of climate conditions and shocks. We are moving again and wish to return the cake to its original maker, the Kroger Company.”
The note is signed by E.F. Helbing of Cincinnati. It turns out, his Kroger store didn’t want the old fruitcake back, but store manager Frank Bates just couldn’t throw it away and decided to take it home. Frank’s son, Wally, is now helping his 86-year-old dad get rid of some things – the fruitcake among them. The successful bidder will win the fruitcake and the money will go to charity.
There are lots of jokes at Christmas about fruitcake. The population is divided, some of us
(yes, me included) love fruitcake while many cannot stand the sight of it. Christmas cake is an English tradition that began as plum porridge. People ate the porridge on Christmas Eve using it to line their stomachs after a day of fasting. Soon dried fruit, spices and honey were added to the porridge mixture, and eventually it turned into Christmas pudding.
In the 16th century, Oatmeal was removed from the original recipe, and butter, and wheat flour and eggs were added. These ingredients helped hold the mixture together in what resulted in a boiled plum cake. Richer families that had ovens began making fruit cakes using seasonal dried fruit and spices; the spices representing the exotic eastern spices brought by the Wise Men.
Sweets and treats abound at this time of year. They are used to show both abundance and the desire to find the sweetness that life can offer. So, go on, it’s Christmas, give in to your craving and have a piece of fruitcake!
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Did you notice the difference? As of today the days are starting to lengthen. Last night was the longest night. For people who suffer with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) this is good news. That said the daylight shift happens in such small increments it will still be a long dark winter for many. I have never minded the dark; in fact sometimes I can find it to be comforting and warm as it closes in.
One of the important features of the Christmas narrative is the star. The shepherds watched stars, the wise ones watched stars, and no doubt anyone navigating a journey in those days did so by following the stars. It needs to be dark to see stars. There is nothing I like better when I get home late at night than being able to look up and see stars, the darker the night the better we are able to see those brilliant spots of light punching holes in the darkness.
Life is filled with contrast. It is often observed that light and dark are fully appreciated when mingled together – be it colours in a quilt, cookies on a dessert plate or experiences in life. This season is one of light and darkness. The Nativity story is set in a grim political reality and yet within that period of darkness Luke records that angels sang and stars shone and people rejoiced.
It is inevitable that you will face moments of darkness this Christmas season may there also be points of light shining as well to remind you of the love of God.
Here you can type the beginning of your post. It will be displayed on the main page of the blog.
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But not everyone is – jolly, I mean. There is an expectation that Christmas will be a time filled with joy and delight. But for many people this is a time of danger and trepidation. For anyone who struggles with addictions the holiday season is ripe with temptation and opportunity. Try going to a social event in our culture where alcohol is not an integral element. For the alcoholic it is often easier to stay home than face the quizzical looks or very real temptation. The season can be equally difficult for persons who live with mental health struggles particularly depression.
While there is a premise that the Festive Season is, well, festive, in fact it can be a difficult and challenging time even for happy and stable families as emotions run high and people are sleep deprived. I saw some Christmas napkins in the store which were funny because they border so closely to truth. They read, “Christmas – ten year old grudges served with cream cheese.”
Tonight will be our Service of Light and Hope. It is a service offered by the area ministers and sponsored by Reynolds Funeral Home for those in our community for whom Christmas is a challenging time. New grief and unexpected hardship can make this time of year a minefield of emotions and the service tonight will offer people a quiet space to reflect on the support that comes to us through our faith and through others.
There is another Christmas song I often find myself humming at this time of year. It begins, “Christmas makes me feel emotional. It can bring feelings and thoughts devotional”. Yes, the challenge is sometimes to reign in our emotions and keep focused on what the season is about, the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. After all, Christmas is about God coming among us in the helpless innocence of a baby. The Incarnation story has such power because it tells us that God loves us so much that the Spirit of love can over-power us in the lowliest of places and among the lowliest of people. Perhaps we should be singing, “ ‘Tis the season to be grateful”.
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The church is bustling with excitement. Tonight is our “first annual” Yuletide Supper. It is being put on by our M&S / Social Concerns Committee as a fundraiser for the Mission and Service Fund. They are serving up tortierre, that traditional French meat pie and salad with peppermint ice cream for dessert. At first we weren’t sure how many would come for such a dinner but the phone has been ringing off the hook all morning as people call in to make a last minute reservation. The committee has gone out for more food and are thrilled with the enthusiasm.
The only thing that makes a dinner out better is if it is followed by entertainment. Years ago the CBC started a Christmas tradition of having a reading of The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Dickens’ novella was published in December of 1843 and was viewed as an indictment of nineteenth century industrial capitalism. The story tells of the stingy and crotchety character Ebenezer Scrooge. He undergoes a complete transformation after the supernatural visits of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Dickens' Carol was one of the greatest influences in rejuvenating the old Christmas traditions of England, but, while it brings to the reader images of light, joy, warmth and life, it also brings strong and unforgettable images of darkness, despair, coldness, sadness and death. Even though years have passed since it was first written these stark contrasts remain a reality in today’s world.
Tonight we will be charging an admission for the dinner but the reading is free, save for a donation to the Manna Food Bank, a worthy recipient for such a piece of Christmas entertainment. I just know it is going be a very enjoyable evening.
Here’s our Friday poetry … okay, it is really prose … a piece from the last stave of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol …
He [Scrooge] went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk -- that anything -- could give him so much happiness.
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Yesterday the last American flag was lowered in Iraq as the military effort there came to a close. The Yanks pulled out bringing nine years of US military operations to a formal end. About 4000 soldiers now remain in Iraq but they are due to leave in about two weeks. At the peak of the operation the US forces numbered 170,000.
Since the invasion of 2003 some 1.5 million Americans have served in Iraq and while nearly 30,000 have been wounded there were 4,500 were killed. These numbers represent far too large a cost. Even worse is the horrifying statistic that 100,000 Iraqis were killed, many of them innocent civilians caught in the conflict.
When President Obama talked about the withdrawal in his press conference yesterday no mention was made of the financial cost this war effort placed on the Americans. Probably just as well – few of us can even imagine trillions of dollars. Was it worth it? Is any war ever worth the human and financial toll it takes?
The longing for peace is as ancient as the prophet Isaiah’s writing when he said, “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, now will they train for way anymore.” Isaiah 2:4 Many American families will be having a happier Christmas with their service personnel home but the question lingers purpose was served by the last 8 years and the tremendous personal and financial cost.
Do you have any feelings about this? Is there a difference between the Americans leaving Iraq and the Canadian leaving Afghanistan? Is there ever a justifiable war?
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I have been following the reports of the family murder case now being tried in Kingston, Ontario. When the story first broke telling the death of the three teenagers and one woman found drowned in their car I was riveted. Partly due to the horror of the story even before many of the details started to emerge but also because we used to live in that area before moving to Muskoka. I know that lock as it was on our tour when visitors would come and we would do a day trip showing off local sights. The Rideau system with its various locks was always of great interest.
The evidence as it unfolds shows a very divided and troubled family. It seems to be that the clash of values and culture was so intense that there was no resolution. That said, death (for four people I should add) seems an unnecessary culmination of the dis-ease with in the family. Of course we only hear the media reports and they are not always objective just the same four women are dead and there is no evidence that will ever be found to justify their deaths.
These stories always seem more poignant when they air close to Christmas, which for Christians is the season to herald peace and love. Here is our Friday poem reminding us that through the ages the “battered world” has longed for love to be known.
His Cradle
It rocked and rocked for joy,
This battered world,
When Mary’s little boy
Up in it curled,
Despite its chill.
O may he fill
Today His chosen bed,
Through you and me,
Who love and help to spread
Simplicity.
~Herbert Seymour Hastings
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Last night I met with the group of folks from BUC that will be travelling with me to Israel and Jordan in March. There are 28 of us going all together including folks from Bowmanville and Georgetown. It is a great group and I know we will have an amazing trip. In order to prepare we watched a couple of dvd’s, one on Jordan and a brief one on Israel. Seeing the sites just makes me want to get on the plane tomorrow!
Making our travel plans at this time of year is particularly meaningful as the scripture readings each Sunday are filled with references to places like the river Jordan and of course Bethlehem, the centre for the Nativity. Each week I think of what it will be like to be there and my anticipation builds. Israel and Jordan are so rich in history and spiritual significance.
Israel, in particular is a place of contrasts and our discussion last night did occasionally drift to the political strife and unrest. It is hard to think of the Middle Eastern countries and not face the reality of their trouble and conflict.
I have recommended several books to the travellers’. One is the moving memoir I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey written by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. In it he tells about his life growing up in Gaza and the dreadful fate of his daughters killed in an Israeli attack. Dr. Abuelaish now lives in Toronto and continues to work for justice and understanding in his homeland. The other book that I have just cracked open is You Don’t Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right: Finding Faith without Fanaticism by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield. Drawing from his own experiences as a former activist on the West Bank who saw first-hand what extremism can do, Rabbi Hirschfield examines our fears of the “other” with humour insight, honesty and thoughtfulness. The book cover promises that he appeals to the common wisdom found in all religions, offering hope and a new perspective. I am looking forward to getting into it. Both these books speak to the possibility of peace in a troubled part of our world. Again, this is a timely aspect as last Sunday we lit the Advent Candle of Peace.
One of the reasons I think travel to other countries is so significant is that it helps us grow in our understanding. Last night I handed out the Ten Commandments for Tourists. The first commandment is, “Thou shalt not expect to find things as they are at home, for thou hast left home to find things different.” While as travellers we chuckle over something so obvious we do sometimes need to be reminded that the gift of travelling means we need to be open for the adventure. Oh, I can hardly wait until March!
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