Comments for Presbyterian Record

Comment on Hymns to Feed the Imagination by Gord McCrostie

Gord McCrostie — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:26:48 +0000

Many growing contemporary churches are tossing out all traditional hymns in their worship. I believe this to be as big a mistake as is rejecting all contemporary hymns. As a denomination that prides itself on a ‘balanced’ approach to theology, we should be able to navigate a ‘third way’ in worship renewal (as opposed to either traditional or contemporary). Defining our vision that includes the best of a broad spectrum of worship expression is a very do-able objective. These hymns that Andrew mentions are a part of this vision.

Comment on Sweaters and Minimalism by Kim W.

Kim W. — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:56:47 +0000

Oh Katie, I can picture you doing this. You have beautiful sweaters, and I can’t imagine you having to part with any of them. I have been going through all of our things and trying to part with as much as I can as I come to the realization that our cozy new house is lacking in storage. I think moving a few times in the last year has really made us realize that while we are blessed to have been given lots of “stuff”, and we have a lot of “stuff”, too much stuff just gets in the way, literally. But, those articles filled with memories are just impossible to part with, so I had my lovely hubby build me a shelf!

Comment on Chaos and Sustainability by Katie Munnik

Katie Munnik — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:53:57 +0000

Blessings for your ministry, Matt. And I hope you will be posting more after the conference. I’d love to hear about how it goes!

Comment on Imago: Connecting Artists by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:11:12 +0000

Thanks for the insight, Gord. The non-verbal aspects of Presbyterian worship (and any worship, for that matter) have always fascinated me, particularly when they are unofficial. Even though in our worship we depend on arts of all kinds, they remain in many ways unrecognized, and often regarded as dispensable. Even music, with its profound roots in the biblical witness, remains something that has to keep (it seems to me) justfifying its place in congregational life.

Comment on Imago: Connecting Artists by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:08:36 +0000

Thanks for the insight, Gord. The non-verbal aspects of Presbyterian worship (and any worship, for that matter) have always fascinated me, particularly when they are always unofficial. Even though in our worship we depend on arts of all kinds, they remain in many ways unrecognized, and often regarded as dispensable. Even music, with its profound roots in the biblical witness, remains something that has to keep (it seems to me) justfifying its place in congregational life.

Comment on “Paradise Found” by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:52:55 +0000

Thanks for checking in, Susan! John Bell has been quoted as saying that one way to revitalize congregational song – along with singing unaccompanied and singing songs from the world church – is to present hymns and songs in something like original performance practice. These CDs are a great tool for that endeavour.

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:53:29 +0000

Good point, Evangeline.
Bringing the joy of fiesta to a congregation that hasn’t approached communion in this way takes careful planning and time. One good way is to teach the song in another context – as an anthem, or a song with the children, or even as a table grace at a congregational dinner. Then when it appears in communion (again, pastorally prepared) it has a better chance of being appreciated and welcomed as a friend and not a stranger.

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:49:41 +0000

I’ve recently re-discovered “Take Time to Be Holy.” We sing it with a black gospel swing to it. Another one that I have started to appreciate all over again is “Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life.” Thanks for the comments, Janet!

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:46:27 +0000

Thanks, Richard. Let’s keep thinking, praying and fishing.

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:45:57 +0000

Bring on those sailing metaphors.

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Andrew Donaldson

Andrew Donaldson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:45:14 +0000

I played this hymn with a colleague at a funeral recently. He was on the organ and I played guitar. The rhythms in the melody are wonderful: infectious and forward-moving, with that climax on “the rock that cannot move.” But let’s hope that we also remember to pull up anchor, remembering that Jesus is in the boat with us.

Comment on Keeping Fit by Lois Simpson

Lois Simpson — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:57:14 +0000

Pat’s articles have been fun to read and also have a good message for us all. Thank you Pat!!

Comment on Laws and Motions by Gunar Kravalis

Gunar Kravalis — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:30:24 +0000

No wholly new species has ever been observed to emerge in real time. We have seen many species go extinct, but not come into being. Therefore the one believing in evolution believes in something he cannot see. But does this not mean that belief in evolution is a religion? Christians also believe in a deity we have never seen. Make no mistake: the debate between the religous believer and the evolutionist is a battle between opposing religious and belief systems. It is a spiritual struggle.

Comment on Sweaters and Minimalism by West Coast Oma

West Coast Oma — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:16:43 +0000

I always think that sweaters, like quilts, wrap us in love & support when the maker is unable to physically be there to hold us & give us those much-needed encouraging words & comfort. Keep on knitting; we have witnessed you doing it with so much concentration & love for the wearer.

Comment on Novel Advice by West Coast Oma

West Coast Oma — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:07:43 +0000

Sounds like good reading, thank you. Whether considering marriage or having been in it for many years there is always something to be learned so as to grow.

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Evangeline

Evangeline — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:57:07 +0000

Don’t you find though, that what we sing is a balancing act? A balancing act between (for example) knowing that we have an anchor in Christ (not an anchor in the traditions and forms of the PCC) and casting out the net in uncharted waters. (I’m not saying that we stay in the harbour too long – and maybe ‘now’ is already too long.)

How do we – not sure what the word is – promote/educate/help people think of communion as a fiesta so we can celebrate what Christ has done for us? Unless that idea is presented first, a ‘fiesta’ song would not be appreciated in a communion service, IMO.

Comment on At Least We Have an Anchor by Janet Ophus

Janet Ophus — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:33:29 +0000

Feel I should comment on other then my friends writings.As a child attending a small United Church in

Feel I should comment on other then my friends writings. As a child attending the United Church in the small town of Sexsmith in northern Alberta, the words of the old hymns have never left me. And now a Forbes Presbyterian member, and very senior, I can still hear my dad’s voice ringing out the old hymns. Take Time To Be Holy, a favorite, among many others. Always a message if we listen carefully to the words.

Comment on Quantity, Not Quality by Janet Ophus

Janet Ophus — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:22:09 +0000

Isn’t it great to have good memories of your childhood. You and I are blessed to have what many do not.

Comment on To Have Loved and Lost by Janet Ophus

Janet Ophus — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:14:53 +0000

Am catching up on your stories, Pat. Another good one that also is close to my heart. We can all learn from each other.

Comment on Emotional Osteoporosis by Janet Ophus

Janet Ophus — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:11:05 +0000

Sounds like a fall I had once, standing on a chair cleaning out a cupboard. Slipped, and yes I too seemed to float to the floor flat on my back. I lay there a few seconds with my little granddaughter looking on with concern in her eyes. No repercussions, just my pride hurt, and always vow not to do it again, but always do, even to fighting with the window screen in spring and fall.