It sure is easy to let things slide when you are busy. This blog is one of the things that I let slide. I will try and do better next year.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. I love that this holy time begins in the darkness. The reading from the gospel today is one of the apocalyptic readings from the gospel of Luke. Jesus is warning folks that terrible things will happen in the world. I love that the Gospel gets us started this week with images — not of swaddling clothes, twinkly stars, and fleecy lambs — but of the world as it really is, here and now using prophetic language, roaring seas, distress among the nations, people fainting in fear. Sounds like our world today… Gorgeous, fragile, and falling apart. There is so much to get through before we can get to this. We need to really look around us, look at our world. Look at the world that is getting ready to birth a baby once again. So join us as we travel through Advent on this amazing journey toward the light...
Sunday, 2 December 2018
Wednesday, 29 August 2018
Inside and Outside
In our scripture reading for this coming Sunday, Jesus tells the Pharisees that it is what comes out of the body that defiles, not what goes it. This is in response to the Pharisees accusing the disciples of eating without following the purity laws. So I have been doing some research and thinking about these thoughts. If we are to take Jesus seriously I think we need to honestly look at ourselves and who we are and how we respond to things. What is it that influences us? What is it that lies behind our motivations? Are we doing the things that we really want to do for the right reasons. Are we doing them to find glory and power for ourselves. So many questions. Many things to ponder before I can write a sermon this week. What is it that comes from you that defiles you? Are we as careful as we should be about what we say and do? I'm not sure I am. There are many times I say or do something and immediately regret it. I hope I am courageous enough to stand up and admit that I have done something wrong. Remember when it comes out of your mouth, you can't put it back. What has been heard has been heard. So take some time this week and ask yourself these questions. Maybe journaling about them will be helpful. I think that is what I will do.
Have a great week!
Have a great week!
Sunday, 13 May 2018
Mother's Day
On this mother's day I am so filled with gratitude for all the women in my life who have influenced me. My mom, Janet, who is wise and wonderful. She has taught me so much, part of which is to be a generous, loving human being who cares about others. I read a saying the other day written by Susan Eckert which says all that I want to say about being that person. Here it is...
It is called "That One"
Be that one. That one who forgives when deep offense has been committed. That one who loves when no one else does. That one who gives kindness to those who are mean. Be that one who looks past the insult, instead seeing the pain that motivated it. That one who shines light upon those who sit in darkness. Because the impact of being that one runs far and wide. It brings healing to the wounded, joy to the sad and hope to those in despair. Be that one.
This is who my mom taught me to be. Thanks to my mom and to all the moms out there who have inspired others to be the best they can be.
It is called "That One"
Be that one. That one who forgives when deep offense has been committed. That one who loves when no one else does. That one who gives kindness to those who are mean. Be that one who looks past the insult, instead seeing the pain that motivated it. That one who shines light upon those who sit in darkness. Because the impact of being that one runs far and wide. It brings healing to the wounded, joy to the sad and hope to those in despair. Be that one.
This is who my mom taught me to be. Thanks to my mom and to all the moms out there who have inspired others to be the best they can be.
Sunday, 12 March 2017
PONDERINGS
It has been a very long time since I posted on this blog. I guess I am not a true blogger. It was designed for me to put my ponderings and thoughts about whatever was important to me.
Well over this past week, I have been thinking about Nicodemus which is today's gospel reading and I have been thinking about the rich man and Lazarus which is the story I have to speak about for the Lenten Lunch this week. Two stories, both giving us something to think about and leave us wondering what we should do.
For me, the story of Nicodemus is about making choices. With Jesus telling this parable, he is offering a new dimension of humanity, a new insight into a way of relating to that which we think of as holy. He is saying there is more than just what you see. Not everything is black and white. Sometimes, things need to be looked at from a different perspective. I know that sometimes there is security in our safe and dark places, where we don't really have to make a choice to move out into the light and make changes in our behaviour or our thinking. But Jesus challenged everyone to do just that. Move out, think different, act in such a way as to show love to everyone, not just the few you like or are impressed with. Do it because it is the right thing to do.
When we look at the rich man and Lazarus, we hear another parable, another story. I heard one person referred to these parables as hand grenades, throw one into a party and they are designed to blow the place up. I am thinking that is perhaps what may have happened with today's story. I was reading some online stuff about this parable from different writers trying to get thoughts into my head, hear what others thought and then to put them into my own thoughts. One of the things that had me thinking and that I had never realised before was the fact that Jesus never said, "Believe Me". He did however, say "Follow Me". And that is just what I am going to challenge us to do on Thursday, Follow Jesus, right down into the Nitty Gritty of this parable. The parable of the Rich man and Lazarus may challenge what we believe about heaven and hell, or perhaps it may challenge our thinking around social order and who belongs and who doesn't.
For me, this parable just reinforces my belief that hell is not a far away place deep down in the underground but here on earth and we have done our part in helping to create it. Heaven, for me is also a place here on earth and we are challenged to make it a place where all are welcome. What do you think? Remember that faith is personal for each one of us and none of us are right or wrong, and none of us know for sure what happened or what will happen. The only thing I think each of us should ask ourselves is why we believe something so certainly, and not just because we were told when we were five in Sunday School and not just because it is written in scripture. Scripture as we know was written by people, inspired to record their experiences of the Holy in their lives. No so different from us today when we write in a gratitude journal or a diary to tell about our day. So challenge yourself to think about what you believe and why, think about what you hear heard form your church or your friends or family about faith: read, explore, study, think. (REST)
Come to church and be with us as we explore the Nicodemus story today. And then on Thursday as we are at our Lenten Lunch which is being held at the Catholic church this year, come and help us explore the rich man and Lazarus.
Have a great Sabbath everyone! May it be spent in whatever way brings you the most rest, simplicity, and care.
Well over this past week, I have been thinking about Nicodemus which is today's gospel reading and I have been thinking about the rich man and Lazarus which is the story I have to speak about for the Lenten Lunch this week. Two stories, both giving us something to think about and leave us wondering what we should do.
For me, the story of Nicodemus is about making choices. With Jesus telling this parable, he is offering a new dimension of humanity, a new insight into a way of relating to that which we think of as holy. He is saying there is more than just what you see. Not everything is black and white. Sometimes, things need to be looked at from a different perspective. I know that sometimes there is security in our safe and dark places, where we don't really have to make a choice to move out into the light and make changes in our behaviour or our thinking. But Jesus challenged everyone to do just that. Move out, think different, act in such a way as to show love to everyone, not just the few you like or are impressed with. Do it because it is the right thing to do.
When we look at the rich man and Lazarus, we hear another parable, another story. I heard one person referred to these parables as hand grenades, throw one into a party and they are designed to blow the place up. I am thinking that is perhaps what may have happened with today's story. I was reading some online stuff about this parable from different writers trying to get thoughts into my head, hear what others thought and then to put them into my own thoughts. One of the things that had me thinking and that I had never realised before was the fact that Jesus never said, "Believe Me". He did however, say "Follow Me". And that is just what I am going to challenge us to do on Thursday, Follow Jesus, right down into the Nitty Gritty of this parable. The parable of the Rich man and Lazarus may challenge what we believe about heaven and hell, or perhaps it may challenge our thinking around social order and who belongs and who doesn't.
For me, this parable just reinforces my belief that hell is not a far away place deep down in the underground but here on earth and we have done our part in helping to create it. Heaven, for me is also a place here on earth and we are challenged to make it a place where all are welcome. What do you think? Remember that faith is personal for each one of us and none of us are right or wrong, and none of us know for sure what happened or what will happen. The only thing I think each of us should ask ourselves is why we believe something so certainly, and not just because we were told when we were five in Sunday School and not just because it is written in scripture. Scripture as we know was written by people, inspired to record their experiences of the Holy in their lives. No so different from us today when we write in a gratitude journal or a diary to tell about our day. So challenge yourself to think about what you believe and why, think about what you hear heard form your church or your friends or family about faith: read, explore, study, think. (REST)
Come to church and be with us as we explore the Nicodemus story today. And then on Thursday as we are at our Lenten Lunch which is being held at the Catholic church this year, come and help us explore the rich man and Lazarus.
Have a great Sabbath everyone! May it be spent in whatever way brings you the most rest, simplicity, and care.
Sunday, 18 December 2016
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Well, it's been over two months since I posted to this blog. How time flies when you are having fun! It certainly seems like this year has flown by and I can't believe that I have been in Eston almost six years. It sure doesn't feel that long. I have been very busy working for the pastoral charge along with some presbytery work and conference work. This past year has seen me finish my Prairie Jubilee course so I am officially now a spiritual director. That was such an amazing course. I am co-convenor for the Faith Formation Committee of Conference, sit on Education and Students at our presbytery and am currently on two search committees, one for Outlook and one for Eatonia.
Our family has grown this year, a new baby girl, Addison born in May. I am so happy however, I miss my grands terribly.
Work has gotten even more challenging as I grow in my theology and faith and work to share with the congregation what I am learning. Our Bible study group is great, we meet on Wednesday mornings and it is a place where you can bring all your thoughts and wonders and express them freely without judgement or ridicule. It is a safe place for all.
This year I am hoping to offer a baptism/confirmation/reaffirmation of faith class where we look at what we believe, why we believe, maybe learn from one another and determine where we want to go next. It will also be a safe and sacred place for sharing.
As the United Church is making changes in their policies regarding ministry personnel, I find it harder and harder to find where I belong. We will also be exploring these changes in our classes and determining where we find ourselves in the midst of change.
Looking forward to 2017, I see new things happening. I am taking the ministry of supervision course in the hopes of one day being able to help another student as my supervisor helped me when I was going through theological school. I also hope to go on a few retreats to help nourish my own spiritual life.
Our Church School program continues to grow on Wednesday afternoons and we love seeing all the children.
So, join us at St. Andrew's for service on Sundays at 10:30 or call us for updates on times and events happening..
Christmas eve service is Saturday at 7:00. All are welcome
Merry Christmas
Barb
Our family has grown this year, a new baby girl, Addison born in May. I am so happy however, I miss my grands terribly.
Work has gotten even more challenging as I grow in my theology and faith and work to share with the congregation what I am learning. Our Bible study group is great, we meet on Wednesday mornings and it is a place where you can bring all your thoughts and wonders and express them freely without judgement or ridicule. It is a safe place for all.
This year I am hoping to offer a baptism/confirmation/reaffirmation of faith class where we look at what we believe, why we believe, maybe learn from one another and determine where we want to go next. It will also be a safe and sacred place for sharing.
As the United Church is making changes in their policies regarding ministry personnel, I find it harder and harder to find where I belong. We will also be exploring these changes in our classes and determining where we find ourselves in the midst of change.
Looking forward to 2017, I see new things happening. I am taking the ministry of supervision course in the hopes of one day being able to help another student as my supervisor helped me when I was going through theological school. I also hope to go on a few retreats to help nourish my own spiritual life.
Our Church School program continues to grow on Wednesday afternoons and we love seeing all the children.
So, join us at St. Andrew's for service on Sundays at 10:30 or call us for updates on times and events happening..
Christmas eve service is Saturday at 7:00. All are welcome
Merry Christmas
Barb
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Rainy Sunday In Eston
Good Morning,
It's a rainy day here again, just what the farmers didn't need.
This morning is family Sunday so we will have a potluck lunch with hotdogs. All are welcome to join us.
Our scripture this morning is the story of the widow and the unjust judge from the gospel of Luke. The traditional portrayal is of God as the unjust judge and we say that if that judge could be merciful to the widow how much more can God be merciful. However, this morning, we are going to be talking about putting ourselves into the place of the unjust judge and having God portrayed in the character of the persistent widow. The word widow is often translated as silent one, voiceless one... Can we hear her cries? Do we know how to respond? Don't we often feel that tug, or hear that still small voice telling us there is a need and that what we are doing it not the right thing to be doing. Divinity is inside us, the source of all that is moves in, through and among us always. We know the right things to do if we could just sit still long enough to hear them. But because as a society we are doers, we often don't hear the message until we have moved on to something else and realize what we have or haven't done. So for this morning, let's sit, quietly, think of all that is happening in our world, what can we do to help make things better, there is always something to be done, big or little. Where is our part? Are we unjust judges or judges who act with fairness and justice as our guide.
Here is a piece of my sermon this morning... My little grand-daughter Addison is here for her first visit. At just 4 months old she can’t talk yet but she sure can tell stories. When I hold her, especially at night, in the rocking chair, after bottle and bath, I couldn’t help but marvel at the reality that the Divine lives and breathes in, with and through this beautiful little baby girl. Divinity comes to us in all sorts of guises, and in our little Addison’s gentle breath I can hear the world crying out for justice. Justice for Addison certainly, justice for the world that she will grow up in, and justice for the planet she will inherit.
Have a beautiful day!
Barb
It's a rainy day here again, just what the farmers didn't need.
This morning is family Sunday so we will have a potluck lunch with hotdogs. All are welcome to join us.
Our scripture this morning is the story of the widow and the unjust judge from the gospel of Luke. The traditional portrayal is of God as the unjust judge and we say that if that judge could be merciful to the widow how much more can God be merciful. However, this morning, we are going to be talking about putting ourselves into the place of the unjust judge and having God portrayed in the character of the persistent widow. The word widow is often translated as silent one, voiceless one... Can we hear her cries? Do we know how to respond? Don't we often feel that tug, or hear that still small voice telling us there is a need and that what we are doing it not the right thing to be doing. Divinity is inside us, the source of all that is moves in, through and among us always. We know the right things to do if we could just sit still long enough to hear them. But because as a society we are doers, we often don't hear the message until we have moved on to something else and realize what we have or haven't done. So for this morning, let's sit, quietly, think of all that is happening in our world, what can we do to help make things better, there is always something to be done, big or little. Where is our part? Are we unjust judges or judges who act with fairness and justice as our guide.
Here is a piece of my sermon this morning... My little grand-daughter Addison is here for her first visit. At just 4 months old she can’t talk yet but she sure can tell stories. When I hold her, especially at night, in the rocking chair, after bottle and bath, I couldn’t help but marvel at the reality that the Divine lives and breathes in, with and through this beautiful little baby girl. Divinity comes to us in all sorts of guises, and in our little Addison’s gentle breath I can hear the world crying out for justice. Justice for Addison certainly, justice for the world that she will grow up in, and justice for the planet she will inherit.
Have a beautiful day!
Barb
Sunday, 29 May 2016
Childrens' Service
It is a beautiful day in Eston and the Children from our mid-week church school program are going to do the service for us. It will be great. Come and join us and see what great things they have learned this year. Our service starts at 10:30 and we will be taking a picture for the town time capsule.
We had so much fun with our church school program this year and hope to have it grow even more next year. We had a total of 38 register throughout the year and about 28 each week. Great numbers. The kids were enthusiastic and I think had a great time. We had some great food, learned a few new songs, Learned life lessons based on the stories shared with us in the bible. We explored our faith with Marcie and Jeff, characters in our stories each week. These stories were written by Kim Antosh. Kim and I are writing a three year children's church school program based on the lectionary. It is my hope that by the end of the second year, the senior class will have enough information to make the decision whether or not they are ready to be confirmed. That will be great fun.
The themes this year were, being a blessing, thanksgiving, being a friend, seeing in a different way, what is God?, The offering. Hope/anticipation. Peace, Joy, Love, Epiphany, being light, Belonging, our jobs in the church, rejection/bullying, prayer, temptation/good and bad, Patience, second chances/forgiveness, generosity, Palm Sunday, Easter/the spirit lives on, Feed my sheep, being a disciple, Pentecost, and trusting.
Kim and I are looking forward to writing next years lessons.
Have a great Sabbath everyone!
Barb
We had so much fun with our church school program this year and hope to have it grow even more next year. We had a total of 38 register throughout the year and about 28 each week. Great numbers. The kids were enthusiastic and I think had a great time. We had some great food, learned a few new songs, Learned life lessons based on the stories shared with us in the bible. We explored our faith with Marcie and Jeff, characters in our stories each week. These stories were written by Kim Antosh. Kim and I are writing a three year children's church school program based on the lectionary. It is my hope that by the end of the second year, the senior class will have enough information to make the decision whether or not they are ready to be confirmed. That will be great fun.
The themes this year were, being a blessing, thanksgiving, being a friend, seeing in a different way, what is God?, The offering. Hope/anticipation. Peace, Joy, Love, Epiphany, being light, Belonging, our jobs in the church, rejection/bullying, prayer, temptation/good and bad, Patience, second chances/forgiveness, generosity, Palm Sunday, Easter/the spirit lives on, Feed my sheep, being a disciple, Pentecost, and trusting.
Kim and I are looking forward to writing next years lessons.
Have a great Sabbath everyone!
Barb
Sunday, 22 May 2016
Trinity Sunday
Today is Trinity Sunday and I am going to share my thoughts and feelings on the trinity, what it means and what it doesn't mean to me personally. I would love to hear from others how they feel about the trinity. Is it important to your faith, could your faith live without it. Would it change how you feel about church. How important is it to you?
Also, I would just like to say thank you too all those in town who have helped with the funerals we have had in our community over the past 17 days. There have been four in our church, one in the catholic church, and one with no service. 6 deaths is a lot for this town especially in such a short time. So to all the families who are grieving we share our love and for all who helped we offer our thanks.
Take care all on this blustery, day. Stay dry and warm.
Barb
Also, I would just like to say thank you too all those in town who have helped with the funerals we have had in our community over the past 17 days. There have been four in our church, one in the catholic church, and one with no service. 6 deaths is a lot for this town especially in such a short time. So to all the families who are grieving we share our love and for all who helped we offer our thanks.
Take care all on this blustery, day. Stay dry and warm.
Barb
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Beautiful Sunday
It's been a long time since I wrote in this blog. Way too long! Life gets busy and one of the things I let go was this for a while. Well today, I decided it is time to do something about it. So here I am again, sitting in my office before church on Sunday morning wondering if what I am going to say will make sense to anyone but me, wondering if the stories I am sharing I have shared before. I hope not. But if I have, they are worth hearing again. Hoping we get something out of the message that will propel us into the next week, with the hope of doing more and helping more. If I had to give this morning's sermon a title, it would be Holy Work!
My daughter is here for a visit, Tracey. She is such a joy to have around. We will have a great week doing all the things that need doing as well as a few more things.
On Wednesday we are hosting a Wonderful Wednesday for the towns centennial year. This will be a potluck dinner and a family dance starting at 5:30 in the Koinonia Hall. So bring a dish to share and your dancing shoes and join us for a while to break bread together, to laugh and to dance. Our church school has done lots of work to make decorations for us to enjoy. So come and enjoy!
The church has been very busy this past winter and I am looking forward to the spring and summer. Hopefully the pace slows a bit and there will be time to enjoy the creation which surrounds us and the neighbours in our town who we hardly ever get to spend time with. If you see us out on the deck, drop by, have a visit.
Have a blessed Sunday everyone!
My daughter is here for a visit, Tracey. She is such a joy to have around. We will have a great week doing all the things that need doing as well as a few more things.
On Wednesday we are hosting a Wonderful Wednesday for the towns centennial year. This will be a potluck dinner and a family dance starting at 5:30 in the Koinonia Hall. So bring a dish to share and your dancing shoes and join us for a while to break bread together, to laugh and to dance. Our church school has done lots of work to make decorations for us to enjoy. So come and enjoy!
The church has been very busy this past winter and I am looking forward to the spring and summer. Hopefully the pace slows a bit and there will be time to enjoy the creation which surrounds us and the neighbours in our town who we hardly ever get to spend time with. If you see us out on the deck, drop by, have a visit.
Have a blessed Sunday everyone!
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Sunday in Eston
It has been a while since I posted on this blog. Life has been busy, I have been tired, it was Christmas, my daughter was visiting, whatever the excuse, here it is again.
Today in church we are going to talk about Love. Agape Love as it talks about in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, love is kind and so on. I have a great story to share first told by Fred Craddock, a world renowned preacher and storyteller. So join us at 10:30 or watch this afternoon on the local cable channel.
I had a lovely visit with Leora yesterday in Moose Jaw. If you are going through there, let me know and I will share her address. She is missing home very much and she says hello to everyone!
I took a course to be an Age Friendly Communities Consultant on Friday in Regina. Very interesting. We had to talk about our own town or city or community and I said what a great place Eston was and how many things we are already doing to be age friendly and everyone wanted to move here. I said of course they could.... This is a great town with almost everything we could possibly need right here. If you or your group would like to know more about being age friendly, just let me know. Age friendly doesn't necessarily mean senior, it could be youth, children those of us in the middle or perhaps those with a disability of some kind. There are lots of ways to look at being age friendly.
So enjoy this beautiful Sunday morning, take a deep breath of the crisp clean air that surrounds us and let us be grateful for all we have in our lives.
Namasté
Barb
Today in church we are going to talk about Love. Agape Love as it talks about in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, love is kind and so on. I have a great story to share first told by Fred Craddock, a world renowned preacher and storyteller. So join us at 10:30 or watch this afternoon on the local cable channel.
I had a lovely visit with Leora yesterday in Moose Jaw. If you are going through there, let me know and I will share her address. She is missing home very much and she says hello to everyone!
I took a course to be an Age Friendly Communities Consultant on Friday in Regina. Very interesting. We had to talk about our own town or city or community and I said what a great place Eston was and how many things we are already doing to be age friendly and everyone wanted to move here. I said of course they could.... This is a great town with almost everything we could possibly need right here. If you or your group would like to know more about being age friendly, just let me know. Age friendly doesn't necessarily mean senior, it could be youth, children those of us in the middle or perhaps those with a disability of some kind. There are lots of ways to look at being age friendly.
So enjoy this beautiful Sunday morning, take a deep breath of the crisp clean air that surrounds us and let us be grateful for all we have in our lives.
Namasté
Barb
Sunday, 8 November 2015
We will Remember Them!
Today is Remembrance Sunday and last week was All Saints Day so in church this morning we will be combining the two and doing a litany of remembrance where we light candles to remember those we have loved and lost or those who we know are suffering in any way in our lives today. We also light candles for our world, to show we care. The gospel story today is often called 'the Widow's Mite'. It is the story of a widow who gives all she has to the treasury as opposed to those who give out of their abundance. We often look at this story as a call to stewardship in the church, a call to give more money and this can be a great way to look at this. We need to support our churches or soon they will be gone. However, what if we look at this story from a different point of view. What if we look at it as a radical protest against the use of religion, politics and power to victimise those who are powerless and vulnerable. We will do this today.
In our Sunday school this week we talked about "The offering". Why we have an offering in church and how we share out Time, Talent and Treasure. One young man asked me, if I earn the money, why do I have to share it. What a great question and we spent some time exploring what it means to share what we have. There are so many ways children can share. We made boxes, and decided that if we made any money, we would put some in the save box, some in the share box and some in the spend box. What a great way for children to begin to learn about money management and stewardship at the same time. Sunday school is so much fun at St. Andrew's. It is a joy to watch these young minds learn the stories of Jesus and also to learn what they may mean in our society today. I have missed working with the young folks since I went into ministry, in my former life I taught Sunday school for years. So now that I am back at it, I am loving it. Thanks to all the children who come and share their time with me and with all those who help in this midweek program.
Life is so hard some days, it helps to remember that there is always something we can share with one another, whether it be time, talent or treasure. Help someone this week by sharing one of these with others.
Have a good week everyone!
In our Sunday school this week we talked about "The offering". Why we have an offering in church and how we share out Time, Talent and Treasure. One young man asked me, if I earn the money, why do I have to share it. What a great question and we spent some time exploring what it means to share what we have. There are so many ways children can share. We made boxes, and decided that if we made any money, we would put some in the save box, some in the share box and some in the spend box. What a great way for children to begin to learn about money management and stewardship at the same time. Sunday school is so much fun at St. Andrew's. It is a joy to watch these young minds learn the stories of Jesus and also to learn what they may mean in our society today. I have missed working with the young folks since I went into ministry, in my former life I taught Sunday school for years. So now that I am back at it, I am loving it. Thanks to all the children who come and share their time with me and with all those who help in this midweek program.
Life is so hard some days, it helps to remember that there is always something we can share with one another, whether it be time, talent or treasure. Help someone this week by sharing one of these with others.
Have a good week everyone!
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Life is Busy
Some times life just seems to get so busy that we can't remember what it is we are supposed to be doing or saying. Does this ever happen to you? It certainly does for me. We had a great bible study this week, but for the life of me I can't remember the specifics. So, a sermon had to come from somewhere else. I want to thank my friend Kim for a story that started me on my writing on Friday. Some weeks the sermon comes so easily, others, not at all easy.
This week was especially busy with two funerals. My love and prayers go out to the Rovey family and the Abbot family. It is very hard to love someone you love, even if they are growing old. Some times we lose the ones we love at a younger age and this seems especially hard. So today's writings go to all those who are experiencing grief in the midst of their lives. I highly recommend reading Warren Hansen's little book, 'The Next Place' which has some wonderful words, especially to help children with the complex issue of death. I often quote it at funerals, especially if there are children involved but I think it helps adults as well. So if you are suffering grief today, or perhaps you have gone past the initial stages of grief and are just missing someone you love so much at this time of year, know you are being held in love today. May there be a bright spot in your day where you can see the presence of all that is holy in our world.
Namastè
This week was especially busy with two funerals. My love and prayers go out to the Rovey family and the Abbot family. It is very hard to love someone you love, even if they are growing old. Some times we lose the ones we love at a younger age and this seems especially hard. So today's writings go to all those who are experiencing grief in the midst of their lives. I highly recommend reading Warren Hansen's little book, 'The Next Place' which has some wonderful words, especially to help children with the complex issue of death. I often quote it at funerals, especially if there are children involved but I think it helps adults as well. So if you are suffering grief today, or perhaps you have gone past the initial stages of grief and are just missing someone you love so much at this time of year, know you are being held in love today. May there be a bright spot in your day where you can see the presence of all that is holy in our world.
Namastè
Sunday, 11 October 2015
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
It's a breezy beautiful day in Eston today and days like this remind me of back home in Cape Breton. The breeze is strong, the sun is shining and life feels good. As I write this, I am sitting at my desk before church begins and missing my family very much. It is lunch time there for them and I hope they are getting ready to enjoy a wonderful turkey dinner.
I am so blessed to live the life I am living. I read a question the other day that said if you had the past three months to live over again, what would you change. And for me, I would change nothing. Isn't that great. It certainly made my day when I looked back and realized that. Often I think things like 'if life would only get better' well for me, life is great. I have everything I need and want. Certainly being closer to family would be nice but they are only as far away as my phone or Face Time. I can see my grands grow up just by picking up my ipad. Technology is amazing.
So as I sit here today, remembering and being grateful, I can't help but think of all those in our world who are separated from their families and friends, those who have no home to live in anymore, those being forced to flee from their countries. What about those right here in our province and our country who don't have enough, who won't get to enjoy a beautiful meal with family today. Those who through no fault of their own are alone. May my eyes and ears be kept open to see where I might share my bounty with others.
I was reading a book this week by Mary Jo Leddy entitled Radical Gratitude that talked about us acting on our gratitude. So will we act on the sense of gratitude that we feel today? She says, "Gratitude is the beginning of our faith and hope in the possibility of creating something new in the world, of becoming someone new".
So go forth into this day, creating, becoming and giving thanks!
Namastè
I am so blessed to live the life I am living. I read a question the other day that said if you had the past three months to live over again, what would you change. And for me, I would change nothing. Isn't that great. It certainly made my day when I looked back and realized that. Often I think things like 'if life would only get better' well for me, life is great. I have everything I need and want. Certainly being closer to family would be nice but they are only as far away as my phone or Face Time. I can see my grands grow up just by picking up my ipad. Technology is amazing.
So as I sit here today, remembering and being grateful, I can't help but think of all those in our world who are separated from their families and friends, those who have no home to live in anymore, those being forced to flee from their countries. What about those right here in our province and our country who don't have enough, who won't get to enjoy a beautiful meal with family today. Those who through no fault of their own are alone. May my eyes and ears be kept open to see where I might share my bounty with others.
I was reading a book this week by Mary Jo Leddy entitled Radical Gratitude that talked about us acting on our gratitude. So will we act on the sense of gratitude that we feel today? She says, "Gratitude is the beginning of our faith and hope in the possibility of creating something new in the world, of becoming someone new".
So go forth into this day, creating, becoming and giving thanks!
Namastè
Sunday, 27 September 2015
Warm days and cool nights!
Well September was filled with beautiful days as well as a little rain which the farmers didn't really need, but it certainly has made our countryside green. It is very unusual to see the leaves falling from the trees and green grass underneath. September to me has always been a time when I start to settle in. The summer is done and fall is upon us and I love the cooler nights and warm days. Things start to get back to normal, whatever normal happens to be.
I just got back from my third residential course of my Prairie Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction. What a great week, lots of hard work, but so much learning. This term we are working on contemplation, discernment, imagination, transformation. Easy things like that, ha... I will be needing a couple of people who would like to take spiritual direction to work with me this winter, once a month for an hour. So if you are interested, call the office and we can talk. Spiritual Direction is the process of discovering where the spirit is working in your life and also discovering your own ability to discern with some direction the answer you may need to a burning question. So if you have decisions to make, concerns to think about, or just want to explore more about where and how the spirit works in your life, this may be the process for you. I am still in training so there is no charge for spiritual direction right now. When I meet with my spiritual director, we always have lots of think about and discern. She gets me to look at life in a different way and I am more clear on what it is I need to do or think or perhaps process for a while.
I am also interested in contemplation and would be very open to having a Contemplative service once a month if folks are interested, so once again, call the office. In a world such as we live in now, we all need to be able to take the time to breath. Just to be and not have anything else we need to do at that particular moment. Often life's demands don't allow us downtime. Perhaps if we form it in the shape of a church service, in an evening, we can actually give ourselves permission to take the time we need to do this. So, let me know if this is something you are interested in.
Have a peace filled Sabbath all!
Namastè
I just got back from my third residential course of my Prairie Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction. What a great week, lots of hard work, but so much learning. This term we are working on contemplation, discernment, imagination, transformation. Easy things like that, ha... I will be needing a couple of people who would like to take spiritual direction to work with me this winter, once a month for an hour. So if you are interested, call the office and we can talk. Spiritual Direction is the process of discovering where the spirit is working in your life and also discovering your own ability to discern with some direction the answer you may need to a burning question. So if you have decisions to make, concerns to think about, or just want to explore more about where and how the spirit works in your life, this may be the process for you. I am still in training so there is no charge for spiritual direction right now. When I meet with my spiritual director, we always have lots of think about and discern. She gets me to look at life in a different way and I am more clear on what it is I need to do or think or perhaps process for a while.
I am also interested in contemplation and would be very open to having a Contemplative service once a month if folks are interested, so once again, call the office. In a world such as we live in now, we all need to be able to take the time to breath. Just to be and not have anything else we need to do at that particular moment. Often life's demands don't allow us downtime. Perhaps if we form it in the shape of a church service, in an evening, we can actually give ourselves permission to take the time we need to do this. So, let me know if this is something you are interested in.
Have a peace filled Sabbath all!
Namastè
Sunday, 6 September 2015
Getting Desperate!
Well Good Sunday Morning everyone, it is a chilly damp day here in Eston.
Today in church we are going to look at the gospel from Mark and the letter from James. In the gospel story we hear two cases of healing and in both bases, the folks who bring the people for healing are desperate for this healing to occur.
Where in our world today do we see folks desperate for healing and What it is we can do about it. Do we every get that desperate life and death feeling here in our lives, I certainly hope not. At least not for ourself or our family and friends but I certainly hope we can get that feeling for the people in our world who are suffering. I think sometimes it is hard to put ourselves in the position of a woman or man in places like Syria or Libya who are so desperate to save their families that they would do anything, risk everything to leave their country. How about the people in Budapest, Hungary this week trying to get on the trains to leave. I am not sure we can even imagine that desperation. Living in such a beautiful country where we have freedom of speech, the freedom to get a job, or to live safely, without fear for our lives, it is very hard put ourselves into their place. But perhaps we need to, we need to hear the stories, see the pictures and react as the outraged people we can be when we see things harming other people. We have been so fortunate to have been born in a country where peace prevails, but so many people have not had that opportunity. So please, do what you can, do things like sign petitions, write letters to the government, here in Canada and in other places, and make donations to reputable places to help make the world a more safe and secure place for everyone to live. Let's all get a little desperate.... So much of our world is falling apart right before our eyes.
Today in church we are going to look at the gospel from Mark and the letter from James. In the gospel story we hear two cases of healing and in both bases, the folks who bring the people for healing are desperate for this healing to occur.
Where in our world today do we see folks desperate for healing and What it is we can do about it. Do we every get that desperate life and death feeling here in our lives, I certainly hope not. At least not for ourself or our family and friends but I certainly hope we can get that feeling for the people in our world who are suffering. I think sometimes it is hard to put ourselves in the position of a woman or man in places like Syria or Libya who are so desperate to save their families that they would do anything, risk everything to leave their country. How about the people in Budapest, Hungary this week trying to get on the trains to leave. I am not sure we can even imagine that desperation. Living in such a beautiful country where we have freedom of speech, the freedom to get a job, or to live safely, without fear for our lives, it is very hard put ourselves into their place. But perhaps we need to, we need to hear the stories, see the pictures and react as the outraged people we can be when we see things harming other people. We have been so fortunate to have been born in a country where peace prevails, but so many people have not had that opportunity. So please, do what you can, do things like sign petitions, write letters to the government, here in Canada and in other places, and make donations to reputable places to help make the world a more safe and secure place for everyone to live. Let's all get a little desperate.... So much of our world is falling apart right before our eyes.
Sunday, 23 August 2015
a long break!
It has been a very long time since I posted anything on this blog. I always sit in front of the computer and draw a blank on what to write. But this morning I will just let my fingers tell the story. Jim and I drove to Nova Scotia for our holiday this year. It was great so see family and friends again. We spent a week at my sisters on the Mira River, beautiful spot and even though the weather wasn't great, we all had such a good time. It is so great of my sister Sue and her partner Dana to open their home to all of us. There were 19 in total this year. We seem to be growing each year. Then Jim and I went to Margaree for 6 nights. It was great to see so many people even though we didn't see everyone we wanted to see. It is so little time and so often people are busy with family or away on vacations of their own. We ended up in Amherst for a night for a reunion of Jim's mother's family, The Christies. We got out of our truck in River Hebert and a man beside us said, Saskatchewan, what town, well I said Eston and he said No Way. Paul and David Christie, relatives of the Hartsooks, also cousins of Jim. It sure is a small world.
Now that we home and both back to work, things are starting to get busy. I have been working on the Sunday School Curriculum. It is called, "Me and My Faith". It is lectionary based and we are using hte stories of Jesus to help teach the children that our work as church doesn't stop when we walk out the church doors, it continues into our community and our world. We will be doing lots of fun things. It is being held on Wednesday afternoons right after school. All children are welcome ages 4-12. The registration is on September 8th from 5-7. We also have registration forms on our website so download one and fill it out and drop it at the church.
This morning in church we will be talking about where we find God in our lives. So come and join us for our service!
Now that we home and both back to work, things are starting to get busy. I have been working on the Sunday School Curriculum. It is called, "Me and My Faith". It is lectionary based and we are using hte stories of Jesus to help teach the children that our work as church doesn't stop when we walk out the church doors, it continues into our community and our world. We will be doing lots of fun things. It is being held on Wednesday afternoons right after school. All children are welcome ages 4-12. The registration is on September 8th from 5-7. We also have registration forms on our website so download one and fill it out and drop it at the church.
This morning in church we will be talking about where we find God in our lives. So come and join us for our service!
Sunday, 17 May 2015
LONG WEEKEND
Well it is the long weekend and I am sure lots of folks are gone away but for us here at St. Andrew's it is family Sunday. It is our time to gather for a meal together, to share fellowship.
In church this morning I am going to be using my favourite little theological book called, "Faith, Hope and a Bird called George" written by Michael Morwood. It is a great book that I think everyone should read. I still have a few copies if anyone wants to borrow one. We are going to focus today on Prayer. Do we pray the right way? Is there a right way? And whose way is the right way? Have you ever thought about how and why you pray?? Are you praying to a God who is out there somewhere just waiting to hear your prayer and decide if you are worthy enough to have it answered, or do you pray to help strengthen yourself and the person you pray for, not to a supernatural deity out there somewhere but to the divinity that resides within us all. Strange, most of us don't think about this at all. We learned how to pray at our parents knee or in Sunday school or from a book even, but do we think about why we do it and what happens when we don't get the answer we think we need to have.
This is what today's service is about.
This year at our United Church Conference of the Saskatchewan conference we are having what is being called Spiritual Nurturing times as opposed to Worship times. This is a term I like much better than worship. What is worship anyway? Well another question for another blog.
Hope you will come out and join us at 10:30 and hopefully you will find this a time of spiritual nurturing. All are welcome!
In church this morning I am going to be using my favourite little theological book called, "Faith, Hope and a Bird called George" written by Michael Morwood. It is a great book that I think everyone should read. I still have a few copies if anyone wants to borrow one. We are going to focus today on Prayer. Do we pray the right way? Is there a right way? And whose way is the right way? Have you ever thought about how and why you pray?? Are you praying to a God who is out there somewhere just waiting to hear your prayer and decide if you are worthy enough to have it answered, or do you pray to help strengthen yourself and the person you pray for, not to a supernatural deity out there somewhere but to the divinity that resides within us all. Strange, most of us don't think about this at all. We learned how to pray at our parents knee or in Sunday school or from a book even, but do we think about why we do it and what happens when we don't get the answer we think we need to have.
This is what today's service is about.
This year at our United Church Conference of the Saskatchewan conference we are having what is being called Spiritual Nurturing times as opposed to Worship times. This is a term I like much better than worship. What is worship anyway? Well another question for another blog.
Hope you will come out and join us at 10:30 and hopefully you will find this a time of spiritual nurturing. All are welcome!
Sunday, 10 May 2015
MOTHER'S DAY
Good Morning Everyone, it is a beautiful day here in Eston, a little chilly to start out but it will warm up. It is mother's day and with my mother living so far away I just want to say thank you to all the people here in Saskatchewan who help me in my life. But a special thank you to my Mom, for all she does for me, even all the way from Cape Breton!
I just got back from 12 days away. It was way too long to be gone. I had meetings and the second residential for my Prairie Jubilee Course on Spiritual Direction. it was a very intense week of study in Beausejour at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. What a beautiful place. I was surrounded by nature and by a group of folks who were so supportive and welcoming. The staff at the centre were amazing, the cooks spoiled us with great food. So the topic this week was Soul Work. What is our soul, how does our soul work, how do we communicate with our soul, how do we know what is the soul filled thing to do. Do we live from our soul, or from another part of ourselves, not quite ready to delve deep enough for soul work. So much to think about. So it was difficult deep work, but totally worth it. I learned so much about myself and about why I act the way I do sometimes. I learned that our memories from our past play an important part in our living today along with our hope for the future. So it is all intertwined.
It is a pleasure to be home and back in this wonderful little town that I have become part of. Take care all,
Barb
I just got back from 12 days away. It was way too long to be gone. I had meetings and the second residential for my Prairie Jubilee Course on Spiritual Direction. it was a very intense week of study in Beausejour at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. What a beautiful place. I was surrounded by nature and by a group of folks who were so supportive and welcoming. The staff at the centre were amazing, the cooks spoiled us with great food. So the topic this week was Soul Work. What is our soul, how does our soul work, how do we communicate with our soul, how do we know what is the soul filled thing to do. Do we live from our soul, or from another part of ourselves, not quite ready to delve deep enough for soul work. So much to think about. So it was difficult deep work, but totally worth it. I learned so much about myself and about why I act the way I do sometimes. I learned that our memories from our past play an important part in our living today along with our hope for the future. So it is all intertwined.
It is a pleasure to be home and back in this wonderful little town that I have become part of. Take care all,
Barb
Sunday, 26 April 2015
Snow in Spring?
Now Snow in Spring reminds me of living back in Nova Scotia, where it snowed yesterday as well. I headed out yesterday to go to Saskatoon with my daughter, Tracey, and had on jeans, rolled up and sneakers, no socks, and a lightweight sweatshirt. I knew it wasn't going to be hot but I never dreamed there would be 3 or 4 inches of snow and I would get wet cold feet. It is way too late in the season for snow.
On a brighter note, it is Sunday, a time for us to gather together as a church family in this place in Eston and remember our responsibility to our neighbours, to our world and to ourselves. There has been a exceptional outpouring of love and compassion in our town this week as we joined together to help a member of this community whose home burned to the ground last Sunday. It makes me proud to be part of a community that can band together so well to help.
My daughter Tracey was here this week and she loved Eston. She said the people were so friendly and nice and if she didn't have such strong ties to the east, a family and a husband who is a lobster fisherman (hard to do that here) she would move here in a flash. Wouldn't that have been great for me. I would love all my family to move closer. Tracey was so amazed by the prairie landscape, the wildlife, the river valley, she loved it. So thank you to all of you who made her feel so welcome.
ON a more practical note - work wise... I will be going away on Tuesday for a combination of a course I am taking, Prairie Jubilee, in Beausejour, MB at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre and meetings in Regina and Saskatoon. I will be back on May 9th just in time for mother's day. If there is any kind of emergency, please contact the office and Dianne will put you in touch with Jim who is covering for us during this time. Gail Bevill will be leading the service next Sunday and we thank her for that. There will be no bible study on April 29th but there will be on May 6th. Stay safe and healthy everyone,
On a brighter note, it is Sunday, a time for us to gather together as a church family in this place in Eston and remember our responsibility to our neighbours, to our world and to ourselves. There has been a exceptional outpouring of love and compassion in our town this week as we joined together to help a member of this community whose home burned to the ground last Sunday. It makes me proud to be part of a community that can band together so well to help.
My daughter Tracey was here this week and she loved Eston. She said the people were so friendly and nice and if she didn't have such strong ties to the east, a family and a husband who is a lobster fisherman (hard to do that here) she would move here in a flash. Wouldn't that have been great for me. I would love all my family to move closer. Tracey was so amazed by the prairie landscape, the wildlife, the river valley, she loved it. So thank you to all of you who made her feel so welcome.
ON a more practical note - work wise... I will be going away on Tuesday for a combination of a course I am taking, Prairie Jubilee, in Beausejour, MB at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre and meetings in Regina and Saskatoon. I will be back on May 9th just in time for mother's day. If there is any kind of emergency, please contact the office and Dianne will put you in touch with Jim who is covering for us during this time. Gail Bevill will be leading the service next Sunday and we thank her for that. There will be no bible study on April 29th but there will be on May 6th. Stay safe and healthy everyone,
Thursday, 9 April 2015
How honest should ministers be? A question to ponder!
So, I came across a question in my research for my sermon today. The topic was doubting Thomas. So the question is: "how honest should minister's be to their congregations?
Should ministers tell folks just what they learned in seminary, should they be truly honest about what they think and what they believe or should they just keep compromising what they believe to make church a safe place for people to never have their faith challenged, just a nice place to visit on Sunday morning so we can feel better for the coming week.
So I am putting this out into the world, I wonder what folks really think about this. How would you feel about your minister, or any minister, standing up in the pulpit on Sunday morning and telling you about something that he or she no longer believed in. Would it change the way you felt about them, would it put their job in jeopardy. I think many ministers as they learn and grown have their faith grow with them and often they are left trying to decide what they can still say with integrity to a congregation of folks who aren't still studying and learning. For most of us our faith grows as we grow and mature throughout our lives, but for people who study a lot, who read a lot and who are challenged by their peers a lot, their faith may grow in leaps and bounds and have a huge impact on their lives. What happens then? Where is their place in the church? Does this change their ability to be a pastoral minister. Would you still want this person to be your minister. I think this is the struggle a lot of clergy have in our world today.
Just some thoughts running in my mind this day. What do you think? Talk to me sometime if you see me out and about or stop in and have a visit at the office. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.
Have a great Spring Day!
Should ministers tell folks just what they learned in seminary, should they be truly honest about what they think and what they believe or should they just keep compromising what they believe to make church a safe place for people to never have their faith challenged, just a nice place to visit on Sunday morning so we can feel better for the coming week.
So I am putting this out into the world, I wonder what folks really think about this. How would you feel about your minister, or any minister, standing up in the pulpit on Sunday morning and telling you about something that he or she no longer believed in. Would it change the way you felt about them, would it put their job in jeopardy. I think many ministers as they learn and grown have their faith grow with them and often they are left trying to decide what they can still say with integrity to a congregation of folks who aren't still studying and learning. For most of us our faith grows as we grow and mature throughout our lives, but for people who study a lot, who read a lot and who are challenged by their peers a lot, their faith may grow in leaps and bounds and have a huge impact on their lives. What happens then? Where is their place in the church? Does this change their ability to be a pastoral minister. Would you still want this person to be your minister. I think this is the struggle a lot of clergy have in our world today.
Just some thoughts running in my mind this day. What do you think? Talk to me sometime if you see me out and about or stop in and have a visit at the office. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.
Have a great Spring Day!
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