Moving thinward (Pt. 1)
I’ve always been intrigued with “thin places” long before I ever heard the term “thin place.” Since childhood, I’ve been curiously drawn to old churches, temples, cathedrals, monasteries, ruins, holy sites, natural “wonders,” remote wilderness, solitary night skies—anywhere that evokes a sense of sacred space. Part of the appeal has been the beauty and mystery…
Readers write: February 16, 2015 issue
Conscience Canada offers ‘peace tax’ alternative to taxpayers Current global events feel overwhelming. Here we are on a globe that seems to be rolling down a mountain, swelling with the detritus of violence as it plummets toward chaos. Is it possible for peace-minded people to get off? No, but if all the earth-loving people would…
For better or worse we are Pharisees
The Pharisees were Jesus’ nemesis, his constant sparring partners, fellow citizens who conspired eagerly against him. The Pharisees (spit) are the bad guys in the story even as it is told to children. “I don’t want to be a Pharisee” is still irritatingly hummed from one generation to the next. What’s lost on us, however,…
Celebrate the gift of leadership
As I scan the directory of pastors and congregations in our area church, I am inspired and immensely grateful. I know that very fine pastoral leadership is happening. I know that intense hours are being spent crafting biblically sound sermons. I know that lonely people are being visited, small people are being noticed and subdued…
Faith vs. belief (Pt. 4)
When I first started hanging out with Mennonites in the 1990s, I noticed a lot of them talked more about the Sermon on the Mount than the cross. They seemed to have a different gospel than the one I was raised with. The gospel of my childhood was simple: Jesus died for my sins, and…
On being a ‘holy family’ today
This past December I learned that many Catholic churches designate the Sunday following Christmas as “the feast of the Holy Family.” It’s a relatively new designation, officially adopted less than 100 years ago. The Scriptures that are read on this day remind us of the important role that family played in the life of Jesus.…
Why take up a Sunday morning offering?
The practice of regularly passing the collection plate in churches has only been around for about 100 years, and thankfully it replaced church revenue streams such as the annual pew rental auctions. Offering practices also vary widely among congregations. Some take up offerings during worship every week, while others have an alms box at…
Jesus’ table manners
My recent project, a downloadable study booklet called “Come Lord Jesus, be our Host,” inspired me to dig more deeply into the table manners of Jesus. I’m not referring to how he placed his knife and fork, but the way he approached the table. Jesus’ table manners concerned a lot of his contemporaries, including his…
Readers write: February 2, 2015 issue
More support for Conscience Canada efforts needed Re: “Fight, fight, fight the madness of war” letter, Dec. 15, 2014, page 13. With respect to the madness of war, I agree completely with D.E. Hubert’s letter. It is a powerfully written statement with important truths for all who have ears to hear. It seems that Canada…
Looking back on a most incredible journey
A few years ago, when I prayed for a greater sense of social responsibility and deeper bonds with fellow Christians, I had no idea God would answer my prayer as creatively as he did. That fall, I was invited to attend the MC B.C. Women’s Ministry retreat weekend at Camp Squeah in Hope by a…
