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Written by Russell Mitchell-Walker
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Tuesday, 07 September 2010 13:56 |
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With all the rain we had on Sunday evening, some of us have been dealing with flooded basements or flooded yards and driveways. It really brings home the power of nature and water. There was a moment Sunday night, after bailing out a window well for the second time, and dealing with a sump pump pipe leak, and finding water coming up the drain of our basement shower, that I thought, "if it this continues until Monday night as forcast, then we're in trouble!" and I wondered where we would go if we had to abandon house. It really brought home how fragile things can be, and yet, I also became profoundly aware, especially Monday, how fortunate we were, when I thought about Pakistan, Guatemala, and those affected by Hurricane Earl. This was only a little bit of water that caused some inconvenience and frustration. It is quite different when whole communities are underwater for weeks or a month and evacuation is necessary. As we clean up from the mess of Sunday night, or tell our stories, may we remember that others have been experiencing much worse. I think also of the farmers who continue to struggle through this year and wonder what all this rain, now sitting on the crops, will mean for next year, after whatever snow we have. In all this, we know that God is with us, and may we reach out to one another, and support those around the world the best we can, so they experience that presence of God, working through us. May we remember to have perspective if we find ourselves complaining about our plight, recognizing how comfortable we really are, and the supports that are available to so many of us.
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Written by David Gerhard
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Thursday, 02 September 2010 13:54 |
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The United Church of Canada has issued an emergency appeal in response to the flooding in Pakistan. Funds are being used by United Church partners ACT Alliance and Canadian Foodgrains Bank for immediate relief and longterm accompaniment.
Visit http://www.united-church.ca/pakistan for more information.
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Written by Kathy Platt
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Wednesday, 01 September 2010 11:55 |
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It has been interesting this week to start to put things in place for the fall - what that has involved has been setting many meeting dates. I know that it is important to be linked to the community and not to just be shooting off in all kinds of directions without anyone knowing what it is that we are doing, but it is also a little mind-boggling trying to sort out how to fit all these meetings in without tying up every single night of the week. Sigh. Sitting in a canoe out in the middle of a lake is starting to feel like a very long ways away! So, this weekend, as we head into "labour day", I want to be intentional about sorting through the balance of work and rest; the balance of silent reflection and verbal articulation; the balance of meeting with committees and simply doing the work. And more than anything, I want to sort out how to do this "job" - how to offer ministry - with integrity and with heart. It is both a joy and a challenge to offer ministry in a congregation where there are so many different understandings and visions of what it means to be the church. I keep returning to the words which one of my mentors in life said to me: "all you can do is speak your truth with integrity and how the words are received by others is not up to you - the Spirit is at work in ways you could never predict or control". As we head into this fall season, may we walk gently, one step at a time, open to relationship, and trusting that together we will discover how best to be the church that God is calling us to be - a church where all are welcome and where we truly honor diverse opinions and opportunities.
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Written by Kathy Platt
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Friday, 27 August 2010 16:10 |
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Walter Farquaharson wrote a hymn entitled "Give to us laughter", and the first 2 lines are: "Give to us laughter, O Source of our life. Laughter can banish so much of our strife". That hymn came to mind as I was reflecting on this past week. Our worship committee came to the church one evening so that we could meet with the families who are having their babies baptised this Sunday. Harlow is 7 months old and Mason is 6 months old. Harlow was feeling a bit out of sorts and was fussing a little bit, so her mom sat on the floor and was holding Harlow in a standing position. Mason's grandmother then held Mason in a standing position so that the two babies were eye to eye. Well, Mason started grinning and bouncing as though he was going to run right over and invite her to play. Harlow stopped fussing, and her face lit up as she began to grin right back at him. Soon all nine of the adults in the circle were grinning right along - in fact, I think we started giggling out loud. It was one of those contagious moments sparked by the laughter of these two little people in our midst. I read once that the way to world peace would be for the world leaders to hold each other's grandchildren - that if they looked into the eyes of the grandchildren of their neighbours, they would be less likely to send a bomb in that direction. Children can indeed be an inspiration if we learn to really see them. I hope and I pray that this Sunday we will take seriously the promises that we make to these two families - that we will care for their children by our actions and by our prayers - that we will surround them with our love and our support - and that we will strive to commit ourselves as a community to love as Jesus loved. Hearing the giggles of children can inspire a zest for life and a rebirth of hope - may we listen for the laughter and give thanks for the gift of life and of love.
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Written by Russell Mitchell-Walker
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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 09:47 |
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This past Sunday, we had just started worship, and Kathy was offering the welcome when Jamie rolled in on his wheelchair. Kathy welcomed him with, 'and here's Jamie' as he said 'hi' with a big smile on his face. I got up and moved some chairs to make space for him, got a bulletin and hymnbook and sat with him during worship. It was a profound experience to sit and experience worship with Jamie. Jamie is a regular at worship at Whitmore Park and at Sunset when we share services over the summer. I have always tried to be sensitive when inviting the congregation to stand, to include "as you are able", and don't always remember to do so. In recent years, a member in the congregation who have a daughter in a wheelchair, have also encouraged us to say "please stand or sit as you are able' which is more inclusive for those who cannot stand. I experienced the impact of our words this Sunday as I sat with Jamie, especially when everyone was invited to stand. It can be really helpful for us at times to have the opportunity to experience being in someone else's shoes or get a flavour of what thier experience is like. It is one thing to know something intellectually. It is quite another to experience it. This often roots the understanding more deeply in our being. It helps me remember that we are all God's children, created in God's image and the importance of ensuring all are feeling welcome and included. May we be open to the opportunities which provide us with different experiences that widen our understanding of others' lives and how we can be welcoming and inclusive of all.
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Sunset United Church is located in Regina, and belongs to the 
We are an 
