Questions arise as 'most godless place' gets first saint GMT
Bishops of Hiroshima and Nagasaki want nuclear weapons' ban Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT
Climate leadership from rich nations 'can build common agenda' Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT
Zimbabwe trade union leader forced to flee, say Christian students Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT
Women play secondary role in news, global media project finds Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT
Washington Cathedral hosts Christian-Muslim summit Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT
posted on February 2, 2009 in People & Places
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Pictured in front of the world’s largest pumpkin (697 kilograms) grown by Jake VanKooten (a member of Assembly Council) and an elder at Knox, Port Alberni, are from left to right, clerk of synod Rev. Bob Sparks, Knox minister Rev. Laura Hargrove, Van Kooten, moderator of the synod Mrs. Maxine Balsdon and the retiring clerk of synod Rev. Herb Hilder.
posted on February 1, 2009 in Called to Wonder
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Click here for this month’s Called to Wonder.
posted on February 1, 2009 in News
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ENI – Christian leaders from around the world are pushing for a “theology of simplicity and caring” to bring hope to a “prodigal world” teetering under a burden of widespread economic crisis, and climate change.
posted on February 1, 2009 in News
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“The Clergy Care Centre is becoming a sort of centre without walls, as we're expanding beyond our physical centre to work in the rest of Canada,” says Rev. Dr. Andrew Irvine, Director of the Centre for Clergy Care and Congregational Health housed at Knox College, Toronto.
posted on February 1, 2009 in Diaconal Ministries
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As I enter my 30th year in service in the inner city of Winnipeg, it is becoming easier for me to reflect upon how God's call for me to enter and continue in diaconal ministry was a perfect match for the gifts that our Creator had granted me.
But it wasn't a straight line. I was first a Grade 4 school teacher in rural Saskatchewan, then worked for a large pharmaceutical company as a medical representative. And then my minister mentioned Ewart College to me, which in the 1970s was our denomination's college for training women and men for a life in the field of professional Christian education.
posted on February 1, 2009 in Mission Knocks
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Rev. Cheol Soon Park's challenge to the church is timely, relevant and very inspirational. He said there is a great demand for change within the local church. “Change is not an option anymore, it is an imperative … it is time to change our understanding of church, ministry and worship service.” His profound words were like apples of gold in pictures of silver. His idea is to challenge every session, minister and member to start one thing new this year. One thing that is necessary yet has never been tried for various reasons. He wants each local church to start one thing that would convey the message we are willing to change and serve.
posted on February 1, 2009 in Features
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Poor Work Performance
posted on February 1, 2009 in For the Journey
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“Oh my goodness!” exclaimed Chelsea. My eyelids slammed open with such speed and force that they momentarily shifted my eyebrows high enough up my balding pate to qualify them as hair implants. I looked across the bed at Linda, who was desperately trying to get her eyes open and free herself from Bud's embrace so she could run into the living room to see what on earth was the matter. Both Linda and I were trying to speedshift our minds through every possible emergency that could happen in and outside of our house. And then Chelsea continued: “What's a moose doing in our back yard?”
Moments later the four of us were peering out of our picture window through the soft winter light of dawn at a large cow moose. Obviously heavy in calf, she was standing in the middle of a grove of Saskatoon berry bushes just a few metres from our deck. Bud uttered a low guttural Lab opinion concerning the propriety of the situation. “Shut up, Bud,” I said. “You'll spook that old swamp donkey and we are not through spying on her yet.”
posted on February 1, 2009 in News
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Four potential moderators have been nominated for the 2009 General Assembly, to begin June 7 in Hamilton, Ont. Ballots were sent to presbyteries in December, and the committee to advise the moderator will tally the votes on April 1.
posted on February 1, 2009 in For the Record
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When Henri Nouwen's book The Wounded Healer was published in 1979, it was met with a resounding “Yes!” from many clergy and candidates for ordination because it spoke to their conviction that they were not meant to be authorities dispensing doctrine and dogma but spiritual guides with deep empathy for their fellow wanderers in the faith journey.
posted on February 1, 2009 in Features
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The sign outside an Ontario church read, “We're too blessed to be depressed.” The author of the sentiment almost certainly meant to encourage gratitude, but the truth is the message betrayed a sad fact about many of our congregations: we do not understand mental illness and we do not appreciate how deeply it is affecting the life of the church. Not only are people in the pew suffering, but our clergy show alarming statistics of depression and anxiety disorders.
Mental illness in Canada is on the rise, and according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five Canadians will develop a mental illness in their lifetime. Among the most common are depression and anxiety disorders, and the World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2020, depression will be second only to heart disease as the leading global cause of disability and mortality. This is no small matter to be kept under wraps; the economic, personal and social costs of mental health problems are immense. It has been estimated that the cost of lost productivity due to workplace mental illness in Canada is in excess of $30 billion per year. Mental health issues can also lead to strained relationships at work and at home, erosion of self-esteem, and for some, even suicide.
posted on February 1, 2009 in Progressive Lectionary
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February 15: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Every year, people gather in Halifax to run the Bluenose Marathon. Each runner receives an attractive shirt of that wonderful fabric that makes perspiration disappear into the ether. I'd love to have one of those shirts. And I can. A couple of weeks after the race I can go to the thrift shop and buy a Bluenose Marathon shirt. It might be last year's, but it's still real. I could put one on and look like a marathon runner! Who would know I wasn't? (I couldn't have run, anyway. I was in church during the race.)
It's easy to look like you're running the race. I have a (plain) shirt, shorts, and shoes. But not the legs or the lungs. Paul isn't sure the Corinthians have the legs or the lungs for the marathon of discipleship. Paul tries to tempt the fickle, competitive Corinthians to imagine the Christian run is a one-race-one-winner affair.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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Revs. Paula and Tom Hamilton have served, along with their daughters Susie and Rachel, St. Mark’s, Charlottetown, for 10 years. Or as the suggested caption from Davida Stewart, the clerk of session, originally read: “St. Mark’s recently held an evening of thanksgiving and celebration honouring the first ten years of ministry in our midst…” Imagine the cake for the 20th anniversary!
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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Colin Redekop has been appointed the new Director of Music at Grace, Calgary, following the retirement of his predecessor, Glenn Potter who held the position for 26 years. Redekop was welcomed in the sanctuary along with Chelan Hoffman, Organ Scholar, at a commissioning service last September at the morning service. Redekop and Chellan Hoffman are shown with the Rev. Victor Kim Senior Minister at Grace at a reception held following morning service.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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St. Paul’s, Glammis Ont., celebrated its 150th anniversary last September. Session is shown with Rev. Shelly Butterfield Kocis. From left to right Steve Eby, Stan Eby, Ron Thompson, Rev. Shelly, Eileen Simpson, Eileen Alexander and Ken B. MacLean.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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Jackie Robinson, front and centre, is seen with the Knox, Burlington, Ont., choir, of which she has been a member for 50 years. She is the current choir president but her service to the church extends well beyond the choir to many other areas. She also recently received a medal of distinction from the Royal School of Church Music in the UK. Gathered with her for this photograph are the choir, along with Dr. Peter Hanson, organist and choir director, in the back row, and Carolyn McNiven, clerk of session, on the far right, front row.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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Strange But True: Percy, a most Presbyterian Bear, visited several Presbyterian families in London, Ont., spreading Christmas cheer as only a good Presbyterian can. There are rumours sonnets are being written, even an epic or two. Have yours ready, in case Percy comes knocking on your door later this year.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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The Harts made their farm available again for the annual summer extravaganza in honour of Knox, North Easthope, Ont. There was a barbeque, a petting zoo, music and lawn mower relay races. The latter was won by these fine Presbyterians: Ian Frede, Cameron Hart, David Hart and Josh Wellstood. And the fun had a real purpose: It was a fundraiser for Canadian Food Grains Bank. The $5,200 raised will be increased four-fold by the Canadian International Development Agency.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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Betty Langille, Jean Nelson and Elizabeth Allen, St. John’s, Pugwash, N.S., packing Shoe Boxes for needy children in the Ivory Coast.
posted on February 1, 2009 in People & Places
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It was a pleasure to host twelve ladies from the WMS in Romania for three days as part of their tour to Eastern Europe focusing on the Hungarian Reformed Church. The tour started and ended in Hungary but also included Ukraine and Croatia.
