As much as I love vacation:
Grace in learning new things, new experiences, time with family, no schedule, different food, trying things never tried before;
There is grace in going home!
Grace in appreciating the little comforts- my coffee cup, the chairs on the front porch, the kitty coming around, nodding to neighbours, watching changes in the flower beds-
And grace in the bigger things;
Grace in a good bed, routine, a new energy with which to go back to work, strength for the fall season and projects.
Grace is all this - and most importantly reconnecting with the me inside that is formed by the creator. Grace is my experience of God.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sacred Harp Singing
Tonight I learned about sacred harp music.
The principle of the singing is that it is not about the sound...this is grace in that this is the group for people like myself who would never make it into a choir...and after listening to sacred harp examples on YouTube, also those who are tone deaf.
Grace is in the solidarity created between the singers in the bodily co-existence and community action.
Curious check out the following:
www.fasola.org
The Socioligy of Religion periodical has a great article:
"Bodies in Sync: Interaction Ritual Therapy Applied to Sacred Harp Singing", Spring 2010, 71:1, pp76-97
The principle of the singing is that it is not about the sound...this is grace in that this is the group for people like myself who would never make it into a choir...and after listening to sacred harp examples on YouTube, also those who are tone deaf.
Grace is in the solidarity created between the singers in the bodily co-existence and community action.
Curious check out the following:
www.fasola.org
The Socioligy of Religion periodical has a great article:
"Bodies in Sync: Interaction Ritual Therapy Applied to Sacred Harp Singing", Spring 2010, 71:1, pp76-97
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Weather in Halifax
If you were to speak to a Haligonian about the summer of 2011, you would probably get a groan and perhaps a rolling of the eyes. It has been wet, very, very, wet! Or so was thought...last night on the news, Haligonians were informed that less rain has fallen this summer than last. The difference on the ground is that there have been way more over cast days; either fog or days threatening rain.
Who knows what number of dark icky day today is?
Lots of tweets, emails, and conversations today are including head aches, sleepiness, popping ears, and blah moods.
Where to find grace in this...
well the head aches and popping ears might suggest that the weather pressure is changing...perhaps bringing some sun?
getting some extra sleep?
not working as quickly, perhaps a more summer relaxed speed that is too often forgotten?
hodgepodge, or as it is called in my house "ruskumsnusk", tastes even better on a damp day?
grace is the hope that in future days the sun will shine brightly.
It is a reminder that we are called to hope that the darkness and overcast skies in the world will one day shine brightly with God's shalom. It is a reminder that we have a part in making this happen.
O for the Spirit to move through the world, through God's people, blowing the fog and darkness off the ends of the earth.
Who knows what number of dark icky day today is?
Lots of tweets, emails, and conversations today are including head aches, sleepiness, popping ears, and blah moods.
Where to find grace in this...
well the head aches and popping ears might suggest that the weather pressure is changing...perhaps bringing some sun?
getting some extra sleep?
not working as quickly, perhaps a more summer relaxed speed that is too often forgotten?
hodgepodge, or as it is called in my house "ruskumsnusk", tastes even better on a damp day?
grace is the hope that in future days the sun will shine brightly.
It is a reminder that we are called to hope that the darkness and overcast skies in the world will one day shine brightly with God's shalom. It is a reminder that we have a part in making this happen.
O for the Spirit to move through the world, through God's people, blowing the fog and darkness off the ends of the earth.
Friday, August 5, 2011
"Standing Together", A Canadian Gathering To Remember a Norwegian Tragedy
Below are the words I gave at this event, Aug.4, 7pm at St.Mark's Anglican Church, Halifax, NS:
Genesis 1: 1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness God called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Shortly after events in Norway, the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Canada wrote:
"We join the world in sending our thoughts and prayers to those who have been devastated by the tragic loss of family, friends and classmates. We also join in prayer with the Church of Norway and the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway as they respond pastorally to those in shock and grief. We pray that the presence of Christ will be a source of comfort and strength in the midst of overwhelming grief."
The chaos in Norway, their grief, is the grief of Lutherans across Canada. Many of our church communities are home to Norwegian immigrants, many of whom still have family ties in Norway. One of the parishioners at Resurrection, where I serve, had friends and friend's children die -as many of you have connections to those who are gone. She reflected that grieving is hard, especially when one is separated from their people by an ocean.
In 2007, Rev.Stan Johnstone, a Lutheran Pastor who was the Brigadier General of the Canadian Forces at the time, reflected that battle/combat was true chaos -having no inherent meaning and being absent of light. Chaos is what there is before God comes; out of chaos/the formless void/the deep waters -God says,'Let there be". This phrase is not an order but an invitation, where something or someone responds to fill the void.
Tonight it is the community that has gathered here, you and me, that is responding to fill the void, to speak against the vacuum of violence, the chaos of grief -to answer the invitation 'let there be', with a response...a response full of hope and creative energy. We fill the void of chaos with prayers: let there be peace, let there be understanding, let there be good seen in the world again.
You are invited to pray:
(adapted from pray on pg.76 of Evang.Luth.Worship)
O God,
where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope.
Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance.
Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance.
Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination.
where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams.
For good to be seen in the world again.
All these things we ask in your holy name. Amen
Genesis 1: 1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness God called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Shortly after events in Norway, the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Canada wrote:
"We join the world in sending our thoughts and prayers to those who have been devastated by the tragic loss of family, friends and classmates. We also join in prayer with the Church of Norway and the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway as they respond pastorally to those in shock and grief. We pray that the presence of Christ will be a source of comfort and strength in the midst of overwhelming grief."
The chaos in Norway, their grief, is the grief of Lutherans across Canada. Many of our church communities are home to Norwegian immigrants, many of whom still have family ties in Norway. One of the parishioners at Resurrection, where I serve, had friends and friend's children die -as many of you have connections to those who are gone. She reflected that grieving is hard, especially when one is separated from their people by an ocean.
In 2007, Rev.Stan Johnstone, a Lutheran Pastor who was the Brigadier General of the Canadian Forces at the time, reflected that battle/combat was true chaos -having no inherent meaning and being absent of light. Chaos is what there is before God comes; out of chaos/the formless void/the deep waters -God says,'Let there be". This phrase is not an order but an invitation, where something or someone responds to fill the void.
Tonight it is the community that has gathered here, you and me, that is responding to fill the void, to speak against the vacuum of violence, the chaos of grief -to answer the invitation 'let there be', with a response...a response full of hope and creative energy. We fill the void of chaos with prayers: let there be peace, let there be understanding, let there be good seen in the world again.
You are invited to pray:
(adapted from pray on pg.76 of Evang.Luth.Worship)
O God,
where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope.
Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance.
Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance.
Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination.
where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams.
For good to be seen in the world again.
All these things we ask in your holy name. Amen
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Birthday
Grace comes in the many friends who wished me well today, some through Facebook, others by coming and sewing quilts, email messages, and even a beautiful song. I love you all very much!
Grace is one of those precious moments that can be sent in the words of a card. Here are two that I may use in a card someday...
"wishing you a day where God has splashed His bright colours and beautiful moments."
Grace is one of those precious moments that can be sent in the words of a card. Here are two that I may use in a card someday...
"If you believe that each of us was designed by God for a specific reason, then you know there's no such things as an ordinary person. ...Don't ever forget how truly unique, how essential, how important you are."
"wishing you a day where God has splashed His bright colours and beautiful moments."
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
A Birthday Invitation
For those of you living near Halifax, tomorrow is my birthday and I would love for you to come and celebrate with me. I would like to spend the afternoon, 1-4pm tying and sewing the edges on quilts. These quilts are special; they are made of entirely recycled fabric and liners. The quilts will be given to St.Leonard's Halfway House for the residents at Christmas time.
The location of the quilting party is the church on the corner of Windsor and Allan Streets (please use the Allan St. door). You need not have any sewing skill.
See you tomorrow.
Oh yes, there will be a big pot of tea on.
The location of the quilting party is the church on the corner of Windsor and Allan Streets (please use the Allan St. door). You need not have any sewing skill.
See you tomorrow.
Oh yes, there will be a big pot of tea on.
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