Cross Training for Preachers ...

A member of the faith community was in the office this week, and in the course of the conversation with Dana and I, she stopped and looked at me and asked me how I was. “I looked at you on Sunday and I could see your tired eyes.”

Yikes. Even from that distance?

While it was lovely to felt cared for and held … it alarmed me slightly. It is so easy for me to be overtaken by work and busyness. But I wasn’t aware that it would be so obvious that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. Self care doesn’t come easily to me. It’s a bad habit I learned years ago while managing 2 half time jobs, 3 kids, and part-time university and then theology school. It might have worked (which is highly questionable) in my 40s … but I don’t think it’s working in my early 70s.

As I looked at the picture of my colleague, Rev. Catherine MacDonald, and I at the conference … yes … it does look like those are tired eyes.

So, I am committing to do better … in front of you all.

This week I promised to share a bit about the other workshops that I attended at the peaching conference I went to in Toronto at the end of October. The truly inspirational one was led by Rev. Susan Sparks of NYC, who I have also heard speak before. Her workshop that I attended many years ago, about using humour in sermons, also altered my approach to preaching.

This is how Susan describes herself on her youtube channel:

“I’m Susan Sparks—a preacher, comedian, author and Harley-riding cowboy boot addict. I help people live life full power. Hey, we all know that life has curves. Things we never expect. Things that throw us into the wind or down to the ground. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve lived through a divorce, survived cancer, lost both parents, traveled solo around the world for two years and left a ten-year law practice to create a career as an ordained minister and a standup comedian. Here’s what I learned: Bends in the road are inevitable. But they are also where life takes flight. They are the places where we have the opportunity to face down our fears, accelerate through and become something more. Every Wednesday I’ll post a new meditation with a biker twist about about how we, together, can take risk, face change and welcome possibility. We’re all on the same road. Subscribe to my site and let's face the curves together! - Susan”

You can find out more about Susan at Susan Sparks | Preacher, Comedian, Author, Speaker

If you click on the video on the home page you can watch an engaging 3 minute video about Susan.

Susan’s workshop was called “Cross Training for Preachers: Leveraging lessons from Unexpected Disciplines.” It was excellent – and most affirming for many of us who are only just now realizing how much living through 2 years of total upheaval during the pandemic took a toll on us personally and professionally, and also on our faith communities. Susan’s humour and candidness about her own doubts, struggles and challenges in the past few years post-pandemic gave us all permission to “feel all the feels”.

She had some great ideas about the lessons we can learn from songwriters (“three chords and the truth”), singers (“sell it with your voice”) … storytellers (“people will remember 10% of what you tell them”) … novelists … poets … chefs … pilgrimage, and science. I will be referring to her speaking notes to keep me inspired in the coming months. And hoping to take them to heart.

To that end, we saw two movies this week, which I think fall into the “storyteller” category. And also the humour category, a common theme that runs through all of Susan’s work. I recommend both. I suspect that One Battle After Another, in theatres now, will garner a number of Academy Award nominations, and it deserves it. We thoroughly enjoyed it. I will put it in the idea bank for the “Let’s Go to the Movies” sermon series in the new year.

The other was John Candy: I Like Me, a new documentary that premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, and is now available on Prime video. It was a wonderful stroll down memory lane, with lots of laughs (a great stress reliever) … but you also need to have a box of tissues handy.

And I am really looking forward to the Silent Movie Night with Shawn tonight. I had to miss it last year as we were away. Tonight I will be there … maybe with sunglasses on.

Sunday is remembrance Sunday when we honour our veterans, and also commit to working for peace in our lives, our communities and in the world.

Blessings folks. Here’s Catherine and Susan.

Traveling mercies

I have been moving rather slowly this week as I have been recovering from a cold. I haven’t had a cold in about 3 years, and part of me thinks that I am just out of practice, as I was feeling pretty miserable … especially the flying to and from Toronto piece. It took a good day and a half for my ears to clear from the flight coming home, so it felt like I was in a tin can for most of those days. However, I seem to be slowly emerging from the fog.

Despite all that, I managed to mostly enjoy my 5 days in the big city … visiting with my BFF of many years, having a quick visit with Alana, watching baseball, and then on Sunday evening on to the “Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship” … an ecumenical annual conference for preachers that takes place at Yorkminster Baptist Church in Toronto. The event has been going for about 30 years and attracts big name preachers and teachers from Canada and the US. I attended once before in 2018.

I shared accommodation with Rev. Catherine MacDonald from St. James United Church in Dartmouth. One of the keynote speaders was Rev. Dr. Anna Carter Florence, who I have heard many times when I used to attend the annual Festival of Homiletics in the US. She is (from Wikipedia) “the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA)”. She is known for her work on the historical, theological, aesthetic, and performative dimensions of preaching.”

I have been known to say that I would walk across Canada to see Anna Carter Florence. Also, I credit her for any preaching skills that I may have acquired over the years. She has an amazing ability to see the sacred in everyday events, to connect our own stories to the biblical story, and to insert a lot of humour into her sermons and workshops.

Anna Carter Florence did not disappoint. She offered a lecture and a workshop. Her workshop told stories of how she teaches her students to see “parables in everyday life” … and also introduced me to the work of Christi Belcourt’s Multisensory Moments: Wisdom of the Universe exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario. She uses images to get her students thinking … what do you see? Even that question elicited a multitude of responses from workshop participants.

You can see more of Christi’s work at Multisensory Moments: Christi Belcourt's Wisdom of the Universe | Art Gallery of Ontario

Her lecture on Tuesday morning was titled “Canaan, Jericho, Moab and Jerusalem: Preaching from the worst possible time and place.” She explored the stories of the women in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba – and how we might read these stories today as examples of how to heal the wounds of the world todřay … indeed, again and again over time.

If you have the time … check out this 12 minute youtube sermon from Anna Carter Florence, which, although it is 3 years old, offers much hope for communities of faith, and individuals today. I find her one of the most engaging preachers I have ever experienced. This is from the introduction to the youtube video:

“At a youth conference that Anna Carter Florence attended a few years ago, the musician David Bailey played for one of the worship services. Florence, the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, says, "He was a singer-songwriter who spent fourteen years in a fierce battle with cancer and wrote about it: what it was like to be a twentysomething person of faith, married with two children, and quite possibly dying...David told us...that when he was first diagnosed, he used to wake up in the morning thinking, 'Why me?' But then one day he woke up and said, 'Okay, God: what now?' And it changed his life." In today's passage from Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, we are reminded that Abraham was a "What now?" kind of guy. Florence says of Abraham, "That’s real faith...Seeing God’s promises from a distance, and not breaking camp. Living like a stranger on this earth and dreaming from inside your tent." Listen as Florence explains how we can become "What now?" people too.” 

(1261) "Tent Dreams," a Sermon by Anna Carter Florence from Hebrews 11:1-3 and 8-16 - YouTube

I also attended a workshop led by Rev. Susan Sparks, who I have also seen before, and who I found extremely engaging so wanted to see her again. Her workshop was called “Cross Training for Preachers: Leveraging Lessons from Unexpected Places”. I found that one pretty engaging as well. And, I attended a surprisingly (for me) informational and interesting panel discussion called “Facing the Future: Preaching in an AI World.” More on both of those next week.

This week … we hear the story of where the prophet Elijah finally heard the voice of God – in the “still small silence” … and perhaps I will also talk about some of the things that our Faith Study group has been learning about mystery, awe and the wonder that is all around us.

Have a great weekend … and Happy Hallowe’en (not my favourite time of year … but that’s a blog for another time …) but below are some pictures of my environment for the first two days. I remembered that when I lived there for 7 months from 2018/19, there was a box (or many) of decorations for every special day. It was lovely and festive.

And of course … here we go again … Let’s Go Blue Jays!

Let's Go Blue Jays ... part 2

had to dig it out from the back of my closet …

Pat’s is a little more personalized … seemed like a good bet!

well … I am off to Toronto tomorrow. Certainly not to see the Jays … other than to watch it on TV with my die hard Blue Jays fans friends in the west end … but to the “Lester Randall Preaching Conference” which starts on Sunday. Going up a couple of days early for visits. Booked long before the city was taken over with Blue Jays fever.

No doubt I will have lots to talk about next Friday … tonight I am battling a cold and must get to bed as it’s an early flight. Perhaps I will share some pictures and stories over the next couple of days …

Happy Anniversary on Sunday. You will be well taken care of with Ann and guest preacher Rev. Charles Bull … and I have heard it on good authority that the Sunday School is making gluten free apple crisp and there will also be cake for the celebration after the service.

Blessings

Brunswick Street Mission Breakfast

On Thursday morning, along with a table full of Bethany members and several hundred other dignitaries, politicians, members of faith communities and other non-government organizations, I attended the annual Brunswick Street Breakfast Fundraiser. I have attended a number of these events in the past, but I think it’s safe to say this one was the most inspiring.

For many decades Bethany has been a huge supporter of the Brunswick Street Mission (you can find out more from our website, or from our Annual Reports), and you can learn more about Brunswick Street Mission at:

Brunswick Street Mission, Halifax, Nova Scotia

This year’s speaker was Guy Felicella, International Public Speaker, who shared his incredible story about overcoming life on the streets of the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver. His first-hand account of the struggles that many people face when confronted with trauma and homelessness was engaging and heartbreaking, very hard to hear, but also full of hope, and a challenge to all who hear it and want the system to change. And, want to be part of the change.

You can read Guy’s story on this website, where there are also many testimonials and links to media.

Guy Felicella

And, here is a Ted Talk … Guy Felicella: I died six times... let's stop the stigma of harm reduction | TED Talk

Here is an excerpt from his website:

“Guy Felicella grew up in a middle-class home in British Columbia but due to trauma, undiagnosed ADHD and difficulty at home and school, he fell into addiction at a young age. Guy spent 30 years in the repeated cycle of gangs, addiction, treatment, and jail.

He spent nearly twenty years residing in a two-block radius in Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside. Miraculously, with sheer determination and the help of others through harm reduction and recovery, Guy managed to survive the HIV/AIDS crisis in the DTES, two decades of being homeless, multiple life-threatening bone infections, and six drug overdoses.

Today, Guy has escaped the grips of the turmoil that kept him suffering and currently resides with his wife and three young children with over a decade of recovery and sobriety under his belt.

Guy is passionate about advocating for the vulnerable people who still suffer with addiction/mental health and is adamant about educating communities on the importance of a full spectrum of care from harm reduction to recovery and to eliminate the stigma that exists around drug addiction.”

His story was both heartbreaking and inspirational. There were many tears amongst the listeners as he told personal anecdotes … particularly about how his grandmother never lost hope in him, or never stopped supporting him at any stage along his journey. And he also talked about how he was able, in his recovery, to support his grandmother at the end of her life. He told us how just before she died she was able to hold Guy’s newborn baby. Truly, I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. 

He also told a powerful story about a woman who, as he was sleeping in an alley, woke him up to give him a $50 bill and a hug. And, he told us how that changed his life.

This Sunday, we wrap up our Stewardship Education worship series with a focus on our own gifts. We will hear the commandment that Jesus left his disciples … that you “love one another” as he washed their feet at the Last Supper, showing them an example of servant leadership. Louisa and I will have a conversation with the children about how they might serve the faith community, and we will have a testimony from a young adult who has returned to the community after being away at university. We hope you can join us!

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image from Art in the Christian Tradition, http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact)

As promised, here’s the video I referred to about the long handled spoons …

(1198) The ''allegory of the long spoons'' - YouTube

And … here’s another video recommended in the resources … a quick history of how consumerism evolved over the past few decades … it is fascinating stuff!

(1198) Frontline Persuaders I - YouTube

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Inspiration ...

If you visit this space regularly, you will know that I am constantly on the lookout for stories and voices that raise hope in these troubled times. Stories of folks that are offering a different view, a different perspective, a different way of doing things.

I think I floated into the office from the car on Wednesday morning. I actually sat in the parking lot listening to the end of the interview that Matt Galloway had with Zita Cobb on The Current. Zita is a Canadian businesswoman and social entrepreneur, who grew up on Fogo Island, a small outport fishing community off the North East coast of Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Cobb is the co-founder and CEO of the registered Canadian charity, Shorefast, which she launched with her brothers Anthony and Alan Cobb, on Fogo Island in 2004. She is also the innkeeper of the luxury Fogo Island Inn (pictured above.)

I think I first heard about the Fogo Island Inn years ago when I watched a Still Standing (you can tell we are a CBC family …) episode about Fogo Island, and the Inn. And I remember thinking that it was a fascinating story. But I also thought … why would someone go there? To a luxury hotel? To Fogo Island? 

Fogo Island Inn | All-Inclusive Hospitality & Regenerative Travel

Now, after listening to the interview with Zita, I get it. I want to go there. More than I want to go anywhere else in the world. And I want to learn everything I can from the Shorefast Institue. This is from their website:

“The Institute brings together economic actors from communities, governments, and markets to develop, refine, and expand place-based approaches. Through structured learning exchanges, virtual resource sharing, and in-person convenings, places across Canada will gain the knowledge they need to shape their own economic futures.”

Shorefast is the line that connects a traditional cod trap to the shore. Cobb says that it is a metaphor … “may we always be shorefast here, in our place.”

You can check it out at:

The Shorefast Institute for Place Based Economies – Uncovering & Harnessing the Power of Place

In the Matt Galloway interview this week, Cobb talks about the questions that communities need to ask in times of change and transition. I think the questions work for faith communities as well … what do we have? What do we love? What do we know? What do we miss? What can we do about it?

It was an inspiring interview. If you can spare 24 minutes, have a listen.

What the Fogo Island Inn can teach us about ‘Made in Canada’ | The Current | On Demand | CBC Listen

This week in our worship service, we celebrate Thanksgiving. We talk about abundance, and seeing the world with the eyes of abundance rather than scarcity. We will have another testimony from a community member who answers the questions … what brought you to Bethany? Why do you stay and offer your gifts?

And speaking of abundance and inspiration … I am always grateful to the folks who accompany me every second month to Saint Vincents Guesthouse to do a worship service. The residents, and Debbie MacDonald, the Spiritual Care Coordinator, and the volunteers are always so appreciative and grateful. And this week, a special thanks to Mavis who stepped in to accompany the hymns at the last minute when Linda wasn’t able to join us.

That’s the gang with Debbie below. It is a very humbling and holy ministry that we provide.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

Wild and Crazy Kids

Well … after a bit of soul searching I am posting 2 pictures … from 47 years ago. Pat and I celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. I posted the picture on Facebook (which I have posted before) and I was astounded by the response … I got nearly 100 “likes” … which is a lot for me. And many comments. But I know many of you aren’t on Facebook. I felt compelled to share it today … wondering if it might lead to a reflection. And, it did.

My own comment when I posted the picture was “how did that happen?” Seems like a minute ago … and yet also an eternity since it happened. My brother-in-law, our best man, posted “Happy Anniversary, you wild and crazy kids.”

The picture below is when I sang what was then “my signature song” with a couple of the folks that made up the band at the reception. That’s my dad in the back playing his gut bucket. Oh my …

The song, as I remember was “Some Day Soon” … by Ian Tyson, made popular by Judy Collins. (“there’s a young man that I know, his age is 21 …”) It was especially meaningful that day …

I have been thinking a lot about that day this past month – the folks that are no longer with us, the joys, the challenges, the changes, the life that we created. Who knew what awaited us over the course of the next many decades.

Donnie Moore from McGinty sang Stan Rogers’ “45 Years From Now” at our wedding ceremony at my home church, Islington United Church, where I would return 7 years later for the funeral of my dad, and 39 years later when I saw my daughter, who was working at Islington with the GO Project, preach a sermon one summer. That was definitely high on the “feelings” chart!

(1131) Stan Rogers - 45 Years - YouTube

Over the past couple of weeks I have been reflecting a lot about those two young adults in the wedding picture. Pat was only 21. And I was 25. Yup, we were wild and crazy kids. And yes, I am an “older woman.”

We had no business getting married. Neither one of us had a permanent job … we barely knew each other – we hadn’t even been together for a year yet. And within another 14 months we would be parents. It boggles my mind. But we had a lot of love around us, and a lot of people as part of our community.

Yes … wild and crazy kids indeed. It was several more years after Christopher was born before I would step foot in a church as (what was called then I think) “a seeker” … looking for a spiritual home. I started “church shopping” with what I knew … the United Church of Canada. Other than my wedding and my dad’s funeral, I hadn’t darkened the doors of a church (other than weddings and funerals in my husband’s Roman Catholic family) in almost 16 years. I found a church home at Fairview United Church, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What brought me back? Well … I think it was a hunger for meaning. The feeling that there was something bigger than myself in the world that I couldn’t quite explain or understand that I wanted to explore. I was a new parent trying to find a way. And I found a church home that welcomed me and eventually – certainly not right away, but it didn’t take long – I found places, and a strong leader who encouraged me, to offer my gifts to the community.

I was interested to see this news item last Friday which I found fascinating.

Why Gen Z is Leading a Religious Resurgence | Your Morning

One of my named priorities during my time here is to “reach out to younger generations”, and Louisa, Ann, Dana and I have been talking and brainstorming about ways to do this. It appears there may be a ready made crowd out there if we can find ways to reach out, be relevant, and offer a listening ear to what younger generations might really be looking for. I live in hope. Goodness knows we need to provide an alternative voice to some of the other more divisive, judgemental and even hateful voices in the world today.

This Sunday we will celebrate World Wide Communion Sunday … always celebrated on the first Sunday of October. Christians all over the world will be celebrating this special moment when we remember the teachings of Jesus and how he lived his life. Despite what some voices might claim, Jesus taught that there is enough for all, that diversity is a blessing, and that no one is excluded from the love of God. Nobody.

Not even two wild and crazy kids who don’t go to church anymore.

And that’s what we celebrate on World Wide Communion Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Painting the Stars, 52 Ways, and Building a Mystery

Today … some random thoughts and ideas that have been rattling around my brain this week …

The image today is from a Bethany United Church member, Kathy Brown. During these weeks when we are exploring the idea of stewardship as being about something bigger than money … or, as Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell put it in last week’s video “my life as a steward”, we are also highlighting some of the gifts, talents and stories of people and groups at Bethany United Church.

Kathy has many talents, and one of them is that she paints watercolours. You can check out her website at Kathy Brown Fine Art. When Kathy heard about the title of our Faith Study Painting the Stars, she emailed me and said “Painting the Stars is what I do.” … and sent me a selection of her paintings, which I find quite stunning. She has generously offered her paintings to be used during this time, and there will be another one as the image on our bulletin this week. Thank you Kathy!

And, speaking of Painting the Stars, we started our faith study this week, which is all about exploring the relationship between science and religion. It’s pretty fascinating, and I think it’s safe to say it is unlike any “bible study” you may have taken before.

I was approached this week by someone in the community who would prefer to meet in person during the daytime. I would be happy to offer an additional session during the daytime if there were several of you that are interested in that. Send me an email at marthamartin2687@gmail.com and let me know if there is a day that you would prefer, and whether you would prefer morning or early afternoon and we’ll find a time that works.

Next week we also begin a monthly book study on Thursdays at noon called “Talking about God.” Don’t be mistaken … these will not be heavy theological volumes … but accessible books by current authors and speakers - Anne Lamott, Nadia Bolz Weber, Brian McLaren, Rachel Held Evans, Diana Butler Bass - there are many to choose from. Many of them I will have used in groups before, and I have found them to open up conversations of meaning and understanding. They also, in my opinion, break the stereotype of what (some think) it means to “think theologically”.

Our first book, which I chose specifically because next week is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we will take a look at David A. Robertson’s 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk With Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing. I spoke a bit about this book in one of my sermons back in June, and you can find a recent Broadview interview with Robertson at Your beginner’s guide to living out reconciliation — one week at a time | Broadview Magazine

Also, remember that we have a copy of the book in the office if you want to borrow it. I think it’s a pretty quick read, and even if you haven’t finished the book (that’s always one of my rules for the book club … that you don’t need to have finished the book to come to the discussion … but you also have to be prepared for spoilers …) please feel free to come along. There are lots of great ideas about how individuals and groups can really begin to live out what we say we believe.

Finally, last week Pat and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the new documentary “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery”, which you can watch on CBC Gem. Lots of great tidbits about the music industry, the role of women, and Halifax’s own Sarah MacLaughlin. And how this particular event (Lilith Fair) changed the music industry. Here are a couple of articles about it.

5 things we learned from the documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery | CBC Music

The Lilith Fair doc isn't just a very good movie — it's also very good for the soul | CBC Arts

See you Sunday!

 

 

 

 

Lost and Found

A funny thing happened at a United Church gathering of clergy and lay people on Wednesday night.

Myself and five others from Bethany were at a meeting at St. John’s United Church on Stanley St. We had gathered, with representatives from 4 other UCC churches, under the leadership of Rev. Robyn Brown-Hewitt from Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council, to share stories about our communities and explore possible ways of collaboration and partnerships around programming, activities and ministries.

There were about 16 of us around the circle, sharing things to celebrate in our communities, and hopes, challenges, and dreams for the future. As I sat in the circle, my gaze fell on a picture on the wall. “That’s my picture”, I thought. I looked at it, a bit stunned. I thought I had lost that picture.

Let me explain.

Some of you will be aware that St. John’s and I have a long history. I began working for St. John’s in 1996 as their Youth and Family Minister, at 12 hours a week. At the time, I was also the Ecumenical Chaplain (part-time) at Mount Saint Vincent University. I held that position at St. John’s until 2003, when I left to become the UCC Chaplain at Dalhousie University. I did both chaplaincy jobs until 2006, when I left both chaplaincy positions to take up a new position – a shared ministry position between St. Andrew’s United Church and St. John’s United Church with the title “Minister of Education and Pastoral Care” (or something like that!) That lasted until 2009, when, for a number of reasons relating to the nature of the position, I left the St. John’s piece of the position. Then, in 2010, I went back to Dalhousie as the UCC Chaplain, where I stayed until 2015. I continued at St. Andrew’s until 2013, when I left St. Andrew’s.

In 2015, I was officially back at St. John’s (where I had been offering supply ministry since the fall of 2014) as their Intentional Interim Minister until the summer of 2018.

Keeping up? I get dizzy just thinking about it all.

In the course of all those positions, I had a number of offices. Including a home office, I had as many as 3 offices at the same time. When I moved to Toronto I took a lot of stuff, books, pictures, etc. but when I moved back in 2023 I tried to do a bit of a purge. I also left a lot of my favourites, like a few treasured books, pictures, etc with Alana, never thinking I would need them again. I also left a lot of stuff in the basement in 2018 when I went to Toronto. When I brought the pared down collection home in 2023 I dumped it with all with the other stuff in the basement.

Last fall, I was looking for a few things to put on the walls at Bethany for the short time I thought I would be there. (!) And I wondered … where is the picture that Sarah and Megan brought me back from Africa that I had framed? These were two students that I had worked with in many different capacities over the years, and they were also in the young adult spiritual direction group that I facilitated. They traveled to Africa and brought me back a rolled up painting on a piece of cloth, knowing how much I loved seeing different representations of the Last Supper, and Jesus from different cultures.

I looked everywhere for it. I texted Alana … “did I give you the picture that Sarah and Megan gave me?” but I was pretty sure I didn’t even take it to Toronto …

I resigned myself to the possibility that I had left it behind somewhere … given the number of offices I had inhabited. I wondered if I had left it at St. John’s, but at the Conservatory I didn’t even have a permanent office so I couldn’t make that fit. Then, I just felt sad …and mad at myself for being careless with the picture.

And there it was on the wall on Wednesday night. I wondered if I should even say anything. Without thinking, I blurted out “that’s my picture” … still a bit stunned to see it again. “Is that yours?” asked Rhonda, the minister at St. John’s. “I think so” … “I’m not sure” …

During the break Rhonda took it off the wall (I’m glad she did that!) and let me examine it. Yes, it was definitely mine. I must have hung it in the general office and then forgot that it was there when I left in 2018.

I sat the rest of the night with the picture beside me, slightly embarrassed and feeling that I had to explain that I normally didn’t walk into other church’s sanctuaries and just take pictures off the wall. I did feel like I had won some kind of a door prize.

So that’s the story of the new picture you will see in my office. I felt badly for St. John’s, but Rhonda assured me that there was a collection of others that they could choose from to replace it on the bare wall. I am over the moon to finally have it back … it holds so many memories.

Speaking of gratitude, this week in worship we begin our 5 week Stewardship Education program. And, as I have said (and will continue to say …) stewardship is not just about money. The program is called “Discipleship is Stewardship” and we begin with a focus this week on the spiritual practice of gratitude. The children will be in each week to help us as we move through these weeks exploring the different themes of what it means to live our lives as disciples of Jesus.

We hope you can join us … either in person or online.

 

Look for the helpers

The news keeps getting worse. I would love to be able to turn away, go back to bed and hide under a large blanket, but I don’t feel that’s very responsible for a preacher who is supposed to offer words of hope every week. Words of encouragement like “you are a beloved child of God.” How do I even do that when there is so much evil and malice in the world?

Well, as I continue to say … it really is a spiritual practice. In the last few years I have been constantly berating myself for letting go of the spiritual practices that have strengthened and carried me over the years … specifically daily meditation (very sporadic now) and journaling (never), and group prayer several times a week. Instead, I find I am one of those who spends an inordinate amount of time scrolling through social media.

And yes, often it is depressing. But more and more I am finding odd and quirky stories of hope, resilience and community that uplift me and remind me that humankind is capable of goodness … and kindness … and even laughter.

So if it’s delusional to think of my semi addiction to social media as a spiritual practice, so be it. “Look for the helpers” as Mr. Rogers said.

A few stories and reflections from this week …

There is lots out there as we once again mark the anniversary of 9/11 … 24 years ago. It’s one of those moments in history when those of us, even young people, who are old enough to remember are able to recall in fine detail exactly where they were that day. I was on my hands and knees in the chapel in Evaristus Hall at Mount Saint Vincent University, crafting a huge labyrinth with a Canadian Tire tarp and duct tape. I took a break and walked down to my office to find the whole Student Affairs Department crowded around a fuzzy black and white TV set just as a plane hit the second tower.

Within several hours we were informed that it was all hands on deck … a planeload of passengers would be arriving at the university, cots and supplies were being delivered to the Multipurpose Room and the Red Cross and volunteers were mobilizing teams of people to provide services to several hundred people for who knows how long. It all seems a bit surreal looking back.

Ten years later I was in Corrymeela, planning a 10th anniversary prayer service in the chapel with one of the American long term volunteers. I remember telling that story and also showing pictures of the parked planes in Gander. No one believed me. Now of course, we have Come From Away, the amazing (and hilarious!) story of how a small community came together to welcome approximately 7,000 visitors on that day. If you haven’t seen that play yet, which has traveled the world, I suggest you immediately get a ticket to Neptune for the production next spring. I have seen it twice – including taking my good friend from Northern Ireland when he visited Toronto a few years ago. It is an amazing story.

This week I read about Roselle and Salty … two guide dogs that calmly led dozens of people to safety. You can see videos and read their stories on (guess what) social media … here’s Roselle’s story:

Guide Dog Roselle Helped Her Blind Owner Escape 9/11

Social media also helped me understand more fully a story that Ann told me this week. I got back from lunch with a colleague and she came into my office to consult with me about something, and walked over to the window. “Did you see what happened?” Which I hadn't.

She said “A crow got hit by a car. It was obviously dead. Within a very short time the overhead lines were filled with crows making an awful racket. It was very upsetting.” We both looked out the window. The crow’s body was gone.

The story continued to slosh around in the back of my mind for a couple of days. I was remembering something. As I was looking at the notes I make on my phone for when I get the start of an idea about what to write about in my blog I saw the words “when a crow dies …”

I googled those words. Sure enough, videos, stories … you can spend hours reading about it, or watching videos. Scientists have done PhDs studying it. Try it. I texted Ann.

“I think what you saw was a crow funeral” I said. She got back to me. “Yes” she wrote back after looking it up … “that’s exactly what I saw.”

Look for the helpers. Or for me … sometimes it’s look for the miracles.

Yesterday morning this came across my Facebook from Corrymeela and I immediately shared it. I know many of you aren’t on Facebook so I have reposted here.The community has wonderful poets and theologians that seem to be able to articulate what I am unable to …

“The news today is of violence. An assassination in Utah. Russian military drones in Poland. Missile attacks against peace negotiators in Qatar. The relentless, indescribable hell of conditions in Gaza.

Today is a day to weep with those who weep. And a time to turn to each other not against each other.”

*A prayer in times of violence*

(P ÓTuama)

God of all humanity,

in times of violence

we see how inhuman we can be.

We pray for those who, today, are weighed down by grief.

We pray today for those who, yesterday, were weighed down by grief.

And the day before,

and all the days before the day before.

We pray, too, for those who help us turn towards justice and peace.

Turn us all towards justice and peace

because we need it.

Amen.”

 

 

Random thoughts on aging, hope and escapism

My spiritual director, who knows me well after 14 years, reminded me yesterday of a time several years ago when I was coming to the realization that it was time to “come home.” He reminded me about how lonely and miserable I was in Toronto after living away for 5 years. Might have been in the aftermath of a very cheap makeshift bookcase/home shrine collapse when we were all still mostly working from home during Covid. (pictured above and below, before and after … ) Somehow I rallied and pushed through.

In the fall of 2023, although I had mixed feelings about leaving the congregation that I had grown to love, I knew I had done all that I could, I was tired and burnt out after Covid (as were many faith leaders), and it was time to hand things over … to trust that they would find their strength and that God was still very much working amongst them … and would continue to do so … even after I left!

And, it was also time to turn my full attention (at least for awhile!) to taking care of myself body, mind and spirit.

Since then, it’s been a bit of whirlwind. Sometimes it feels like it’s been the easiest transition I have ever made … and I have made many. Other times … it’s been a slog. Particularly when it comes to aging and facing the truth of what happens physically when we age. I am not sure I was fully prepared for that. Seems almost like a full time job keeping up when you get to a certain age.

There was all the usual stuff that I have been dealing with for years … blood pressure, blood sugars, bad knees, my achilles injury, which all needed attention. Then there was the new stuff … the mild hearing loss that I was absolutely not prepared for … and resisted at first … and then a worsening of one knee and recognizing my propensity to fall. Now I am preparing for cataract surgery sometime in the not too distant future, which I am absolutely terrified of. It is never ending. And yet …

In the midst of my angst and self absorption, I am also acutely aware of my power and privilege, the choices that I have, and the fact that it is all just an accident of birth that I have all that.

I don’t take Ubers often since I came from Toronto, but I do occasionally. In Toronto, it was not uncommon for me to spend up to $300 a month on Ubers during a busy month, traveling from one end of the city to another in the evenings. I justified it by thinking “well, even that is cheaper than a car payment.”

The other morning Pat had the car (he had to be in by 7:45, and was schlepping a bunch of equipment) … and I called an Uber. In Toronto, I would often have the most interesting conversations with Uber drivers, many of them newcomers to Canada. In Halifax, the ride is hardly long enough (8-10 minutes) to get anything going. However, in that short time, the driver and I struck up a conversation. I found out he was a neurologist from Tehran, married to a dentist … with two children aged 14 and 9. He and his wife are both doing what they need to do, including learning English, which I thought was pretty good for only being here for two years, and taking the required courses and upgrades needed to begin to work in their respective professions. When I asked him if he liked Canada, he said “We love it here!” He also said that his children have adjusted well. “Iran is a dictatorship you know”, he said. Yes, I said, I did know. The conversation raised my spirits for the rest of the day. And put me in a place of deep gratitude for so many things that I often take for granted.

It is hard to keep hope alive in these times. I can’t tell you how many conversations I have had with many of you about how scary these times are … how upsetting the news is … how much the world has changed. It’s all true. Sometimes, I can hardly believe what is happening in the United States.

I continue to look to trusted writers and authors for wisdom and inspiration. In the past few months I have been following Arlene Dickenson, South African and Canadian businesswoman, investor, author, and television personality. She has written some very inspiring pieces in the past few months, and I became aware of her posts as they became more prominent in response to the early days of the Trump administration. Several days ago she wrote this:

“Anaïs Nin said life shrinks or grows in proportion to one’s courage.

I think about this a lot when I see adults, at any age, settling into smaller and smaller worlds. The same coffee order, the same daily routines. The same conversations with the same people about the same safe topics.

When exactly in our lives does predictability start passing for an accomplishment ? What happens to the curiosity and courage of our youth? Somewhere along the way, we start to mistake routine for wisdom and comfortable circumstances for contentment. It’s a complacency that eventually leads to living in a small room, looking out at life through a window.

What if growing older meant growing larger instead of smaller?”

I was inspired … you can read the rest of the column at Make your world bigger not smaller - by Arlene Dickinson

This week, we will be talking about Creation and climate change … again, could be a depressing topic. Another inspirational piece comes from Rebecca Solnit as she reflects on the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans. She ends with “It is a difficult and scary time, but I believe we were made for this.” I will probably refer to this article on Sunday in my reflection. You can read it in its entirety at

We Were Made for This

And, for pure escapism, may I recommend The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix. I have read all the books by Richard Osmon, and have been waiting in great anticipation for the movie, starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. I always imagined that if I was lucky enough to make it to a retirement community, I would be a member of the Thursday Murder Club. The movie did not disappoint. Lots of fun and wonderful to see how much fun the actors are having. Here’s the trailer:

The Thursday Murder Club | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

Have a good weekend. See you Sunday. Below is my beautiful office at Kingston Road United Church. Can’t say I don’t miss that …


 

 

Honeydew and the end of summer ...

The end of summer always brings up mixed feelings for me, even though fall is my favourite time of year. Change, transition, excitement about starting fresh, and yet heightened anxiety about “whether I am ready” for the coming busy-ness … it’s all there.

I remember as a teenager the end of summer was always bittersweet. Saying goodbye to summer friends and the carefree activities that come with summer. For a number of years I worked at the top of the mid-way at the Canadian National Exhibition at a Honeydew booth … a stall that sold hot dogs and a weird orange drink. Aside from the stupidity and harassment of many of the male customers (“and what does honey do?”), it was alternately the greatest and worst of summer jobs. I was right in the midst of much excitement, and it was common practice to bargain a free hotdog for a ride on one of the rides, which I would enjoy when my shift was over. As a raging extrovert, I loved meeting and interacting with so many people. However by the end of the two and half weeks of crowds, food smells, (at least it was better than the ice cream booth where I had worked several years before!), ignorant people, and riding the TTC in the early mornings and late evenings, I was ready for it to be over. Which was always what the Labour Day weekend represented during those years. The end of the chaos.

This year, I am excited about some of the new initiatives we have in place at Bethany this fall. These include a worship series beginning in September about discipleship and stewardship. (Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! Spoiler … it’s not just about money!) And a Faith Study called Painting the Stars, which is all about science and religion. And a monthly book study called “Talking About God.” I also look forward to all the usual activities and events that Bethany is well known for … Joy Lunch, concerts, seeing the Sunday School children and youth, and welcoming folks back.

In the meantime, I will finish the series about families this coming Sunday. I saw this wonderful youtube clip with Pete Buttigieg and Stephen Colbert this week which just about sums up what this series has been about:

Pete Buttigieg Claims the "Love of God" Is In His Gay Household

“The love of God is in that household”, Buttigieg says. Isn’t that the truth. This week I will offer several reflections on the life of Jesus, and what he said about family.

I may even talk a bit about a book called “The Book of Longing” by Sue Monk Kidd, a book that imagines what it might have been like to be the wife of Jesus. I have read a number of books by this author (The Secret Life of Bees, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter) and this one did not disappoint. Her scholarship, combined with brilliant storytelling skills, makes it one of my favourite books in recent years.

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd | Goodreads

Finally, for those (like me) who have moments of extreme grief and paralysis about the state of the world … here’s Anne Lamott’s latest column. It gave me hope as we go into this Labour Day weekend.

Contributor: 'Summer is ended, and we are not saved.' We're not defeated, either - Los Angeles Times

Have a good one.

The King's Shilling and Jenny's Boy

For reasons that will become apparent on Sunday, I have been researching what I thought was an Irish song called “The King’s Shilling”.

Many think, as I did, the song is a traditional Irish folk song, but in fact it was written by a Scottish musician, Ian Sinclair in the late 1970s. It is an anti-war song, told from a woman’s perspective.

Good old Wikipedia says that “The King's shilling, sometimes called the Queen's shilling when the sovereign is female, is a historical slang term referring to the … payment of one shilling given to recruits to the armed forces of the UK in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries … To "take the King's shilling" was to agree to serve as a sailor or soldier in the Royal Navy or the British Army. … The practice officially stopped in 1879, although the term is still used informally and there are some cases of it being used still in the early 20th century, albeit largely symbolically.”

There are many youtube versions of the song … but this one, with Irish singer Karan Casey and James Taylor, I found particularly breathtaking. I don’t know why I haven’t heard of Karan Casey before, but I will be looking for her music in the future.

https://youtu.be/VDhfqy4S6hI

The refrain goes:

Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar Tak the King’s shillig; an we’re aff tae war

In another youtube video, Karan Casey, in her introduction to the song at Celtic Connections 2017 in Glasgow, said that it is an anti-colonial song that has relevance today, and is a call to fight anyone who seeks to diminish the humanity in another human.

Well, that fits, I thought. To see what all this could possibly have to do with anything, you’ll have to tune in on Sunday, or come in person!

Also, this week, I will finish Jenny’s Boy A Newfoundland Childhood, by Wayne Johnston. It’s the fourth of the Canada Reads 2025 books I have read this summer. I might have to stop there, at least for awhile … the wait list for a digital copy from the library for the last one, Watch Out For Her, by Samantha M. Bailey, says it is still 15 weeks away.

I have enjoyed all of the ones I have read … and almost want to go back and watch the Canada Reads episodes again to hear the discussions. Each one becomes my favourite as I am reading it. Jenny’s Boy, as champion Linwood Barclay in the Canada Reads contest said, is both tragic and funny – even hilarious at times. I have actually laughed out loud a number of times. I have read several of his previous books, and am in awe at his survival and resilience!

As I have said several times in my sermons, there are common themes of the four I have read, and they relate well to our conversations about families, resilience, trauma, and the history of Canada. And this week’s theme as well – multigenerational, extended. and chosen families.

A few folks have expressed interest in gathering for a conversation about the Canada Reads books. I will host a conversation in the chapel on Wednesday, August 27 at 2:00 about any of the books … if you have read any, or just one, or if you are just curious, please feel free to join us for an informal and free wheeling conversation about this year’s selections. You can certainly get a sense of all of them by visiting the Canada Reads website, watching some of the discussions or the trailers for each book. (see bulletin insert this week for links).

Blessings on your weekend!

Martha

 

Highlights of General Council

The above pictures are of the most recent General Council, a picture of the whole group (reminiscent of the photo of the first meeting of the United Church of Canada on June 8, 1925), and some of the youth and young adults at General Council in Calgary from August 7-11. From reading summaries and articles in Broadview magazine and on the United Church website, there was much to celebrate for the commissioners, and also much to challenge them. T

General Council ended on Monday evening with the installation of the Moderator, Rev. Kimberly Heath.

You can read an interview with her at:

New United Church Moderator Kimberly Heath on her vision for the denomination | Broadview Magazine

In particular, this section speaks to me at this time:

Do you think the church needs to change how it’s operating to become more aligned with what God has planned?

KH: “I think that the structure of the church has to follow where the Spirit is moving and not the other way around. How you do that is another story. I don’t have strong answers on particular structural things that need to change, but somehow, we need to change so that we can follow the Spirit. And seeing yesterday in the court, we had a big youth presentation, and they want to be present. They want their voices heard. And so again, it’s like the Spirit is moving in that. How do we make the structure work so that they can have a stronger voice in our church? Same with les ministères en français, and there is life in the Francophone church community. And so again, how do we say, okay, there’s the spirit, there’s the life. Let’s empower and support it.”

The Moderator is talking about the presentation on Saturday evening by youth and young adults. You can read more about it here:

GC45: Youth call out church tokenism. More on the new moderator.

Or, you can watch the whole video starting at around the 8 minute mark, which includes an apology from the Chair of the Business Committee for the experience of youth being marginalized or not listened to during the discussions over the past several days. The testimonies from the youth are very powerful.

GC45 livestream - August 9 6:30pm ET

I will talk more about this on Sunday, when we look at the idea of multiculturalism when it comes to families. And I will explore the many ways that multiculturalism presents itself, including between generations, families of origins and regions of the country.

Here is a summary of General Council on the UCC website:

The United Church Issues Bold, Hopeful Call for Action on Peace and Justice | The United Church of Canada

 Have a great weekend folks! See you … either in person or virtually on Sunday.

Elizabeth Jane Madden; June 19, 1927-August 12, 2011

Today i am reposting an entry from my blog The Corrymeela Diaries. It is from August 12, 2011, when I was midway through my 3 month stay at Corrymeela, and Alana came to visit me for a week. Not only is it a time of reflection for me every year, but also, in light of our sermon series, it ties in with the sermon series about intergenerational trauma, resilience, family of origin and chosen family, and community, grief and support.

August 12, 2011

My mother died today. I can’t even fathom the reality of it, although we have been expecting it for months. And, as with my father, I wasn’t there as she made her transition. Again, as with my father, I did phone her last night and my sister put the phone to her ear ... I told her that Alana and I were together, and we were sending much love her way, and that I loved her. And Mindy said that my mom knew that it was me. It should bring me some comfort, but somehow it doesn’t yet.

Because I missed my father’s passing, it was my deepest wish that I would be with my mother when her time came. But it wasn’t to be ... it was probably a selfish wish anyway. I know that my sister did an amazing job of journeying with her these past days, and months.

And so I am left in a kind of stunned state. I won’t be going home for five weeks – and then we will have a small (very short – she would want that) service of remembrance and bury her ashes with my dad in west Toronto in early October. I am blessed that of all weeks for this to happen, my own daughter is with me this week and we can comfort each other. We are both kind of in shock, but at least hanging on to each other. And I feel all I can do is write something down.

My mother was not a happy person generally. For very real issues which I won’t go into now, she had very low self esteem, which translated into fear and control issues with her daughters. She recognized this later in her life, and we were able to have conversations about it in the past few years. As she was reflecting on her life with Mindy and I when I visited last January, she said that she was happiest when she was painting.

Now get this. She always wanted to be an artist, but was told by her father that she couldn’t attend art school. Her own mother was an artist who taught others to paint. When my grandmother died, my mother began to paint. And paint. And paint. For several years, she produced many paintings – both oil and watercolour. Her own family members, including her five brothers, couldn’t believe the talent she had hidden all these years. And then her sister died. And my mother stopped painting. When I pointed this out to her during our January conversation, she said she hadn’t made that connection.

I only have two of my mom’s paintings ... one is of two small boys in the rain (above) which I know she copied from a photo she had seen ... but I always imagined it was my own boys. Wishful thinking perhaps, that they would have been so tender with each other, helping each other through a rain puddle.

I’ve had the Allison Krauss/Robert Plant song (actually it’s an old traditional song) “Your Long Journey” running through my head since my sister phoned a few hours ago.

God's given us years of happiness here, Now we must part
And as the angels come and call for you
The pains of grief tug at my heart

Oh my darling, My darling
My heart breaks as you take your long journey

Here's a video

Your Long Journey - Alison Krause, Robert Plant

My mom and I had a difficult relationship, but there was love. And my heart breaks that her long journey has been taken, but I also rejoice that she is not in pain anymore, that her brokenness has been made whole, and that she is in the arms of God – whatever that means. Rest in peace, mom. I love you.

Blessed Chaos

Here are Alana, Matt, Chris, Tiffany, Duncan and Tamara … and Willow … not often all together!!

Just a few thoughts as I ease myself back into things after my second round of vacation. I will share a few pictures at the end of this.

Last night our General Council began in Calgary. You can check out the agenda and main events at the website

45th General Council Opens Aug. 7-11, in Calgary, Alberta | The United Church of Canada

Highlights include an apology delivered to the 2S and LGTBQIA+ communities today, and the election of the Moderator today and tomorrow. This is the first time that the General Council has met in person since 2018, so folks are excited to be together. And there are several groups of youth in attendance, including Youth Forum, the Climate Motivators and Leadership Animators.

I will be continuing the Krazy Kinfolk sermon series this Sunday, with a focus on times of sorrow and grief, and the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. In times of trial and challenge, we hope to look to family for support. Mary and Martha were surrounded by their extended family and community after Lazarus died, and it was clear that Jesus was close to the family from their interactions and also from Jesus’ reaction to Lazarus’ death. What can we learn today from this story and what are the implications for the faith community?

Here are a few snapshots of our time in PEI. It was, as the title suggests, blessed chaos. 8 adults and a dog … thank goodness it was a fairly large summer home. We overlooked St. Peter’s Bay, and were just a 5 minute drive from Greenwich beach and National Park. The “kids” got to the spa just 3 minutes away for a morning, we had lots of laughs, conversations, great food and made some good memories. I have a great video of Willow playing frisbee (apparently it was her first time) … she bolted from the door to take part with Duncan and Tamara. Unfortunately the video wouldn’t load on the blog … but feel free to ask to see it the next time you see me. It’s a hoot! 

The first day, the task for Pat and Duncan was to put the new BBQ together … took most of the morning. But as you can see … well worth the efforts!

Willow getting a bit of love from Tamara

One of the many crib games during the week.

Birthday celebration (mine) at the Golden Dory, just down the road from the cottage.

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