Chocolat and Lent

The movie Chocolat is about a town that is held together very tightly by the Compte de Renaud, the mayor of the town, who insists that everyone undergo rigorous misery and self-denial, as he does, during Lent. Into the town comes Vianne and her daughter Anouk to open up a chocolaterie. For many years I led a weekly study during Lent, both at the university and in the congregation, based on the movie. I used a wonderful little  book called “Chocolate for Lent.” As the resource says, the movie is about “Lent verses chocolate.” But, it’s really about much more.

In fact, the movie is about how Vianne becomes a catalyst for many of the townspeople to re-examine their own lives, to discover what’s really important, and to live in a different way. And, that brings about healing, healing for the individuals and the whole town, and even for Vianne herself.

 Artist and theologian Jan Richardson says that both the book, upon which the movie is based, and the movie, “… offer a narrative that beckons us to see the effects of clinging so fiercely to a practice that we miss the point of it … the mayor’s grip on his Lenten fast is so ferocious but so fundamentally empty that he falls helpless before it. We see a fierce clinging in other characters as well, their lives shaped around practices that keep them insulated and sometimes alienated from one another, and from their own selves. For most of the folks in the story, slamming against their beloved walls finally causes them to crumble, opening them to an experience of mercy, reconciliation, and release.”[1]

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent – the forty days before Easter. For Christians, it’s a time to remember what we hold important, what we hold dear about our faith, to examine our own habits and rituals. Are they life-giving to us, to those around us? What is it that we cling to?

The old stereotypes of the season, no longer hold. Giving up something to be miserable or to show how strong you are is not what it’s about. My spouse used to tongue in cheek declare that he was giving up scotch mints for Lent … perhaps a bit of a protest against his own religious education. In fact, I don’t think I ever saw him eat a scotch mint.

Can we think metaphorically about fasting? Can we fast from judgment, from greed, from scarcity, from fear? Can we fast from lies, gossip, anxiety, apathy, discontent … Perhaps we can feast instead on compassion, on sharing, on abundance, on peace, on truth, on praise, on patience … on kindness, on engagement.  We could fast on noise, and feast on silence. Fast on discouragement, feast on hope. Fast on hatred, feast on love.

I used to say that in the busyness of the season, I gave up all my spiritual practices for Lent.  Every year I try to do a little better … and that’s what Lent is about. The chance to try again. I am always comforted by a little reading from Maya Angelou. She says:

“Many things continue to amaze me, even well into the sixth decade of my life. I’m startled or taken aback when people walk up to me and tell me they are Christians. My first response is the question, “Already?” It seems to me a lifelong endeavour to try to live the life of a Christian. I believe that is also true for the Buddhist, for the Muslim, for the Jainist, for the Jew, and for the Taoist who try to live their beliefs. The idyllic condition cannot be arrived at and held on to eternally. It is in the search itself that one finds the ecstacy.”[2]

Our Lenten worship materials this year, again from the folks at Sanctified Art, tell us in their introduction:

“Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. As we crafted this series, we studied what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice.

At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant to be very good news for us all. Jesus’ words are easily distorted and sanitized in our modern world. Following Jesus leads to a richer, more expansive life, but it’s not necessarily comfortable.

Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news?

This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world. We hope this series will provide fertile ground for conversation and worship, rooting our hearts and lives in the expansive goodness of God. This Lent, let the teachings of Jesus lead us forward.

May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good.”

We will also celebrate the sacrament of communion, and begin a new, all ages activity that we will add to each week.

At our faith study the other night we learned about “Godwinks” … kind of like what I was calling “God moments” last week in my sermon. Our Lenten practice over the next 7 weeks will be to name the Godwinks … the God moments … the GOOD NEWS … in our lives each week. This might get you into the spirit of that …

https://www.today.com/parents/teens/students-share-good-news-viral-video-rcna243046

(Note: if you scroll down a bit and watch the video in the article/ comments instead of the shorter clip from The Today Show you will see more students and won't be interrupted by the hosts).

Below is a reading I found many years ago and then turned into a word cloud. It is a wonderful reminder of how we might approach the next 40 days …

Blessings in these first days of Lent

Martha

A Special Lenten Fast from South America

Give up harsh words: use generous ones.

Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.

Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience.

Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism.

Give up worrying: take up trust in God.

Give up complaining: value what you have.

Give up stress: take up prayer.

Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.

Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.

Give up selfishness: take up compassion for others.

Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation.

Give up words: fill yourself with silence,

                                and listen to others.

 

        (from Making the Sign of the Cross, Janet Hodgson,

Canterbury Press, p. 80)

 

 

 




[1] http://paintedprayerbook.com/2008/02/05/ash-wednesday

[2] Ash Wednesday – Cultural Resources, Nessette Falu, Rice University, Houston, TX

Tell Me Something Good ...


Next week we begin Lent … a season of reflection as we prepare for Holy Week and the death and resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

Once again, your ministry team will be using worship, study, and resources for all ages from the folks at Sanctified Art. Here’s their introduction to Lent and to the materials.

“Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. As we crafted this series, we studied what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant to be very good news for us all.

Jesus’ words are easily distorted and sanitized in our modern world. Following Jesus leads to a richer, more expansive life, but it’s not necessarily comfortable. Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news?

This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world.

We hope this series will provide fertile ground for conversation and worship, rooting our hearts and lives in the expansive goodness of God. This Lent, let the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good.”

The creators recommend some advanced reading and watching for worship leaders. They include books and youtube conversations with well known authors. One of the ones they recommend before we begin the series is a short column on Substack by one of the theological reflectors for “Tell Me Something Good” which I think helps to orient folks to the themes and conversations we will be having.

“We All Must Be Evangelists: Exorcising Bad Christian Takes for the Sake of Good News” by Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail.

A Liberated Life: Musings from Rev. Lizzie. Published on Substack. July 6, 2025.

(8) We All Must Be Evangelists - by Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail

There are lots of events next week as we begin the Season of Lent … a Pancake supper on Tuesday, our Lenten Faith Study begins Wednesday evening at 7 pm (the Reflection journals will be available for picking up or ordering on Sunday), and there is an Ash Wednesday service at Hope United at 7 pm for those that might be looking for one. Details of all the events will be in the bulletin and on our website.

Of course our hearts are broken and the country is in shock after the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC this week. Most politicians have put aside their posturing and come together to support the community in its grief.

However, there are some folks that are using this tragedy to spread misinformation about and hatred against the trans community, and I would urge everyone to seek out reliable news sources, and not succumb to the blatant lies being spread on social media. Below are two articles, one from CTV and one from the Globe and Mail that offer the facts, and articulate the damage done to the trans community when misinformation is spread.

After Tumbler Ridge shooting, false claims about trans people spread online - The Globe and Mail

Tumbler Ridge shooting: False claims on trans people spread

Religious Literacy

The guest speaker for next week’s Joy Lunch had to unexpectedly cancel this week, and Ann asked me if I had any ideas of guest speakers who might be able to step in.

After much thinking, I really didn't have an idea. However, I remembered that I used to do an interactive workshop about religious literacy, and why it’s important. If you want to know what religious literacy is, here’s a wonderful 3 minute video from a number of years ago. I think the topic is still very relevant.

https://youtu.be/HsKcm59CHUU?si=BDoGdEzz-zo3Befa

After reading two of Stephen Prothero’s books, (God is Not One and Religious Literacy) I pitched an interview with him to the Observer (now Broadview). I was chair of the Board of Directors at the time, so I might have had a bit of an “in” with the Editor. Anyway, they sent me down to Boston where I spent a lovely couple of hours in his office doing the interview.

The interview is still online in the Broadview archives. You can find it at:

Stephen Prothero, scholar, says Americans are religiously illiterate | Broadview Magazine

I said to Ann I could pull a few activities and revisit my notes to put a short presentation together. Ann agreed it was a timely subject. I hope you agree!

Alana Martin is here this weekend to help us think through our approach to children’s, youth and young adult ministry. We had a wonderful few hours last night in conversation with the young adults in our midst. Now, I am just getting ready to fly out the door for the workshop she will offer to Bethany (and other interested folks in our Region).

You will get a chance to hear her tomorrow, when she will offer the sermon/reflection. She will also be leading the time with all ages, and will be reading this book to the children if you want to check it out.

💖 Kid's Book Read Aloud: WHEN GOD MADE YOU by Matthew Paul Turner with Mr. K's Storyland

 Have a blessed weekend!

Martha

 

 

Saving Jesus and The Boss

We are having some wonderful discussions at our Wednesday evening faith study.

Here is a story from Session 1 …

“Let us Gather Shoes Together!”

“Another irony is that Jesus didn’t intend to start a new religion, so much as to reform certain elements of his own faith tradition. Although it seems ridiculous to even have to mention it, it has to be said again and again: Jesus was Jewish. All his companions were Jewish. That cannot be overemphasized. They were faithful Jews, steeped in the Torah and practiced in the ways of ancient Hebrew traditions. You can find precedence for much of what Jesus taught in Hebrew Scripture, and throughout his life he was faithful to the spirit (if not the letter) of Jewish law.

So you could argue that Jesus—like Martin Luther and John Wesley after him— didn’t set out to start something new so much as to reform something old. Theologian John Cobb says that Jesus “took the Jewish tradition and transformed it, developed it in such a way that it became available to the Gentiles.” What is startling is just how fast and how many new movements sprang from Jesus’ life and teachings and the stories of his death and resurrection.

Monty Python’s movie, “The Life of Brian,” follows the life of a hapless peasant named Brian. From the day of his birth (on the same block that Jesus was born), he is constantly mistaken for the Messiah, and nothing he says or does seems to deter those who are determined to follow him. One memorable scene shows how people then (and now) seem willing to follow just about anyone. Brian’s disciples quickly plunge into a debate over the finer details of following Brian: “Hold up the sandal, as He has commanded us!”

“It is a shoe! It is a shoe!”

“It's a sandal!”

“No, it isn't!”

“Cast it away!”

“Put it on!”

“Clear off!”

Ridiculous? But true. We run around claiming to have the whole truth. We’ve got the right way! Believe like us, or else! Turn or burn! It’s the tribal “us vs. them” mob mentality deeply ingrained in us. After all, we want to be on the winning side.” [1]

You can see the hilarious scene at The Shoe Is The Sign - The Beginning

In our weekly Wednesday evening sessions, we are continuing to explore the process how The Bible came to be over hundreds of years. And also, how much it has been misrepresented and misinterpreted over those hundreds of years.

This past Wednesday we ended up spending quite a bit of time in conversation about the true teachings of Jesus, (and how we know what they might be), the issue of integrity as followers of Jesus, and how and when do we find our voices to speak out when we see injustice, and challenge folks that misrepresent our faith. The question was asked “When did people lose their integrity.”

Of course, we got around to speaking about what is going on in Minneapolis as it seems those in power seem to be doubling down as far as misrepresenting and falsifying the truth.

These conversations were floating around in my mind this week as I read about the following in my news feeds:

On Wednesday January 28, the legendary rocker Bruce Springstean released a protest song titled “Streets of Minneapolis” in reaction to the protests and the violence. In only a matter of hours, the track has become a quick bestseller. In just 2 days it has over 4 million hits on YouTube. Have a listen …

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)

After I listened to it I, thought … “wow … that’s pretty hard to find words that rhyme with Minneapolis” … as usual, Springsteen seems to have hit the mark again with his timely anthems.

Talk show host Stephen Colbert thought the same thing. “You really don’t want Bruce Springsteen to write a song about your streets, not even Sesame,” Colbert joked. He called the song “poignant and powerful” and also asked: “Do you know how hard it is to rhyme with Minneapolis?” Colbert said the song “sends a powerful message” as Springsteen was “as American as it gets”.[2]

Also, I heard about celebrity chef Martha Stewart, who took to social media last Monday to reveal that, at the urging of her granddaughter, she decided to condemn both the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents against migrants and against peaceful protesters demonstrating in the streets of the Minnesota city.

"Granddaughter Jude wrote me a note yesterday I took it to heart and posted the above," Stewart, 84, wrote on Instagram Jan. 26 alongside a screenshot of the message. "I'm not sure it's excusable to not being speaking up right now," Jude wrote in a message to Stewart, according to the photo.[3]

And lastly, I heard Nicole Wallace on MSNBC interview someone who was commenting on what’s going on in Minneapolis who, when Wallace asked about the people of Minneapolis and how, despite threats were still showing up to protest. She said that even with threats, even though folks are worried about being attacked, assaulted, even killed by ICE or CDP, it is an incredible testament to the people of Minneapolis and St. Paul that in these sub-zero temperatures they are coming out. They are opening up warming centres for their neighbours, they are taking care of their neighbours, we are seeing some of the best of America. She went on to say that as an American she could no longer say that she felt safe going out and protesting, that she no longer felt she knew what the response would be by the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security.

And, this just came into my inbox … from Broadview, a story about a Lutheran Church in Minneapolis that is doing just that … stepping up to help their neighbours.

This Minneapolis church is providing frontline help amid ICE operations | Broadview Magazine

 So, enjoy The Boss, (I’ve already watched it a few times!), and may these stories give you courage to find your voices to speak up in your own circles, and most importantly, to not lose hope. They have done that for me.

This Sunday, we explore one of my favourite biblical stories, the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well. And I heard it through the grapevine that the Sunday School is baking again!

Blessings, and hope

Martha

 

 

 

 

 


[1] Saving Jesus Redux © 2010 livingthequestions.com, LLC Jesus through the ages

[2] Colbert on Springsteen’s anti-ICE song: ‘Do you know how hard it is to rhyme with Minneapolis?’ | Late-night TV roundup | The Guardian

[3] Martha Stewart condemns ICE crackdown after urging from granddaughter

Clusters

I told Dana Friday morning that I couldn’t think of anything to write about in my blog. All morning (at least up until that point) I had been thinking, pessimistically, “I’ve got nothing.”

Dana said … “write about Alana’s visit”.

Nepotism alert. My daughter, Alana Martin, is coming to Bethany to do a Regional Workshop on Children’s Spirituality, to facilitate an evening with our young adults, and will preach on Sunday morning.

“Well”, I thought, “that’s not a bad idea”.

Often I get ideas for my blog from looking at old pictures of my kids. They have always been my inspiration for writing. I found one that spoke to me. I texted Alana to see if it was ok to share a picture from her childhood. She said “ha ha ha I don’t mind. What does it have to do with me coming next week? (insert emoji here) … or is this a proud mother kind of thing?”

Without even thinking I responded “Exactly. Who knows what future leaders lurk in the little bodies of our children and youth?”

This was the picture that spoke to me … I said to her “Looks like you were born to lead.”

We were on a boat in Ketch Harbour, where her grandparents lived. She certainly looks like she is holding court … or perhaps trying to distract me from my tendency to be seasick every time I get on the water. It even looks like she has liturgical garb on.

Alana has worked for the GO Project for over 15 years. The GO Project is a UCC National Program that provides resources, curriculum, camp experiences, leadership training, and support to congregations for Children, Youth and Young Adults. She began as one of the young adult leaders in the summer program, became a program leader, and for the last 5 years has been the Minister to the GO Project. The program has changed tremendously since it began nearly 20 years ago as an intensive 10 day summer program in several places across Canada.

To be clear, I was involved in supporting the GO Project summer camp experiences here in Halifax long before Alana got involved. As I like to remind her sometimes. I support the program because I have seen the difference it makes in the lives of young people, and in the lives of congregations.

One of the four priorities that I was tasked with when my position was extended last May was to “explore ways of reaching out to younger generations.” Well, I couldn’t imagine a better way of figuring out how to do that than by contacting the GO Project to see what was going on out there.

It turns out that last summer Alana had hired Bethany’s own Kyla Mills to help her conduct research on the evolution and present state of Children’s Ministry in the UCC. Louisa, Ann, Dana and I talked and decided to spend some time with Alana in conversation last fall, and were so fascinated by some of the research she and Kyla did that we asked her to come for a weekend in the winter so we could take a deeper dive.

The workshop on Saturday morning is not only for those working directly with our young people. It is also to give leaders at Bethany (and any other congregations in the area), parents, and any interested in this topic, some ideas about how things have changed over many decades, and how a faith community can support a culture of welcome, nurture, and relationship building across generations. And that’s the responsibility of everyone in the faith community.

There are other things on the go as well.

Ann, Louisa and I attended a webinar this week about “Working with Gen Z´… those young people born between 1997-2012. We had some illuminating and insightful conversations which we will be eager to share and put into practice. And, we recognized that we have some serious adapting to do in order to not only mentor this generation but also to make the space for them to offer their many gifts to the community on their terms. We also need to recognize and make space for the concerns and passions about the world that this generation embodies.

Dana took several of our youth to Bedford United Church last Sunday night for a monthly United Church gathering called “What’s the Point? HRM Youth Cluster”. Apparently all had a wonderful time and they look forward to the next one. Pictures below.

The idea of “clusters” is one that was imagined when the UCC restructured it’s governance and organizational structure in 2019. The idea is that clusters of UCC folk in different congregations, would gather to share ideas, cooperate and work together on specific projects or topics, recognizing that all communities of faith are experiencing dwindling resources to do those things on their own.

Just in the past year Bethany has been part of a cluster of North End United churches (Hillside, Hope and St. John’s along with Bethany) to offer joint services and programs. Bethany hosted the 100th Anniversary service last June, and Hilliside hosted a Blue Christmas service. Plans are under way for joint Lenten services (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday) and also some special events and programs. Next Sunday St. John’s hosts a special event with Dr. Henry Bishop in honour of Black History Month, and on Feb. 7 Bethany will host a workshop with the GO Project.

Dana is part of a cluster of staff in the Region called the Administry Group. We are also part of an Affirming Ministry Cluster in HRM.

The idea of clusters is long overdue. Those attending from Bethany are finding both inspiration and support as we share stories and imagine what can be done together.

Well, I guess I had some things to say after all.

And yes, I will own the nepotism and pride when we welcome Alana to our community Feb. 6-8. She used to get mildly frustrated when she started working in the national structures that many folks would ask her “are you Martha Martin’s daughter?” That’s totally flipped in the past 5 years or so … now … more often than not, folks ask me “Are you Alana Martin’s mother?” I don’t mind. Another proud mother moment.

Just keep swimming

I finally got to the pool today. It’s been about 4-5 weeks since I was last there. Between my schedule, pool closure over the Christmas break, and the extreme cold … it hasn’t happened. And all the time my physiotherapist’s voice was in my head saying “if you do nothing else get to the pool a couple of times a week”.  I was kind of dreading it today. I hate the pool in the winter. And I have never been one to prioritize exercise of any kind in my life. And sometimes my body pays a price as a result.

It helps to have a buddy to keep each other accountable. Lately my “buddy” for the last couple of years and I have been on very different schedules.  And I am the master of avoidance and procrastination if there’s even a hint of a reason to not go. So today was the first time in many weeks that worked for both of us. And it’s harder to back out when you know the other person is also needing incentive to go.

Anyway, today felt great. And it was nice to be welcomed back by others who had noticed my absence (with no shaming!), and, as my partner in crime often says, we get to “feel virtuous” (translation … at least not guilty) for the rest of the day.

Many years ago (maybe 20?) we enrolled Alana in the Trojans Swim Club. This was something she expressed interest in after she breezed through about 4 levels of swimming lessons over several months. A friend suggested that her daughter (around the same age as Alana) had joined the Trojans the year before and was quite enjoying it, and wondered if Alana might also enjoy it. So she gave it a try. And she loved it. She was very involved for a number of years … until she realized that she was in the pool upwards of 5 or 6 times a week (including 4 very early mornings) and we were away for a weekend each month at a swim meet. She didn’t want to give up her other activities (violin, youth orchestra, church stuff, social justice activities, dance, a social life …) for swimming … which she was increasingly being asked to do.

I remember one time, in the first couple of years, sitting up in the bleachers watching them all swim for the duration of their practice … back and forth, back and forth … it looked quite meditative. I never really learned to swim properly, and I wondered if it was too late to learn.

I learned that it wasn’t. So I signed up for some “adult swim lessons.” In my early 50s. What I wasn’t quite prepared for was a 17 year old young man as a teacher, (he probably wasn’t prepared for me, either!), sometimes moving my legs around in the proper formation for the various swimming strokes. Despite his youth, he was a good teacher, and eventually, I learned the basic strokes.

I also learned that the new prescription googles available made a world of difference in the water (“omg I can see the other side of the pool!”), as did ear plugs. Below is my absolute favourite picture of Duncan as a kid - with his new swimming goggles. He was the silliest kid I ever met. 

After many weeks I could actually get in the pool for half an hour and swim lengths … oh miracle of miracles. And actually, I did find it extremely meditative … back and forth, back and forth. I even had a little mantra that I would say, so it became even more of a spiritual practice of meditation and exercise.

After a couple of years I let the busy-ness of my life take over and gradually my pool practice of going twice a week kind of vanished. Until the summer and fall of 2016 after my long haul with my Achilles injury. My physiotherapist suggested I attend the pool physio class they sponsored for folks recovering from surgery. It was kind of a game changer for me as far as exercise. However, sometimes I am better at keeping it as an essential part of my health plan than at other times.

As I said earlier, I am great at taking the first exit ramp that is offered … it’s too cold, I am too busy … oh … a meeting? … sure I can make that, … I’ll just skip aquacise this week … my buddy can’t make it … Pat needs the car … you get the drift. Maybe writing this down will drive home how ridiculous it all sounds.

This week my doctor said to stop being so hard on myself. I guess it’s my nature. Exercise was never part of my routine … I didn’t grow up valuing physical exercise, so it has always been hard to prioritize it. However, I find as I age it is becoming more and more important to try to break old habits and old ways of thinking, because it really does make a difference in my health.

So if you want to include me in your prayers … I would be happy to know folks are sending me strength, intention and patience to be good to myself, and make the pool a priority in the coming months as I try to get back on track. My body, mind and spirit will be grateful!

In the meantime, as Dory says in Finding Nemo … Just keep swimming!

I am looking forward to our 1st year Anniversary of becoming an Affirming church on Sunday. We will welcome the Women Next Door Choir to our worship service. Some may remember the wonderful concert the choir offered in the fall of 2024.

Blessings folks

Martha

 

 

Are you anywhere near Greenland?

I don’t have much to say this week. Along with the busyness of getting back into things after our busy Advent and Christmas season, I am consumed with worry about the havoc the administration to the south of us continues to wreak on the world.

It is hard to turn a blind eye to things, but I also know that consuming too much news feeds the fear and sense of hopelessness. Often I find it hard to find “the sweet spot” … that place where I know enough about what’s going on, but also know when I have crossed the line into doom scrolling. And sometimes, I do find some great good news stories in the doom scrolling.

But this week I also had to acknowledge that I have some personal reasons for being fearful. And it started to take over …

“Are you anywhere near Greenland?” I casually asked my son on What’s App, which is how we communicate when he is out at sea. I won’t repeat my editorial comments on this week’s news about Venezuela, Greenland, Minneapolis and Portland.

Chris is the cook on one of Clearwater’s boats. He goes out for 4-6 weeks at a time, (until they reach their quota), then the boat comes back in for a crew change, and he gets home for about the same amount of time. The particular boat he is on is a shrimp boat, and they go way up north. The above picture is from his last trip when he was trying to show us where he was. To the left is the northern tip of Newfoundland and Baffin Island to the north, and to the right is Greenland.

“Kinda close-ish” he replied, “… “but I doubt we’re close enough though to worry … I didn’t think about it that way until just now haha…”

I apologized for planting ideas in his head. A mother never stops worrying I guess.

Anyway … as always, I look to others for the strength to resist and carry on.

Below I have posted some words from Anne Lamott from this week that give me strength and hope … I chuckled out loud at the quote from Flip Wilson (and those of you of a certain age will know who that is). And I am still laughing at the comment about Stephen Miller’s belt.

This Sunday we begin to explore Jesus’ ministry as it is written in the Gospel of John. Jesus’ first act of public ministry is at a wedding – and it is, according to one commentator, about abundant grace, and about speaking up when we see something that we can change. Let’s hold on to that.

Blessings

Martha

From Anne Lamott on Substack, Jan. 9:

“This week has felt like the bad shift when winter first begins and all of a sudden in the morning it's dark, and it is dark in the early evening, and the whole day becomes elliptically squeezed. All hope is lost. …

… It felt like we were in free fall. How would we even go on? How do we come through this, fight back, and not give up on this country, on democracy, on the preciousness of life? Where would we even start?

I said to everyone who called what I always say: We breathe, take care of the suffering and poor, including ourselves, donate whatever we can afford We get outside and look around at the miracle. Praying people pray.

And for me, most of all, we set Stephen Miller as our North Star: Every day we think of one thing we can do that would make his head explode. (Do I think he is the anti-Christ? I don’t know; I’m a drop out. It’s just that I don’t think the anti-Christ would wear his belt up so high. He’s Pat Buchanan, without the charm. And maybe this is harsh and beneath a nice Sunday School teacher like myself, but I am not sure he is Trump’s best conduit.)

I proceeded to do what I had urged upon everyone who called. I heard when I first got sober in 1986 that we take the action first, and then the insight is revealed. This always helps, and indeed, a flickering hope was restored that afternoon. This deadly storm of evil behavior was going to built solidarity—the next No Kings will be double in size and all over the world. This evil will be a catalyst for change—Look at all the vulnerable House Republicans who are pushing back, and/or resigning.

So dum de dum, I seriously started feeling calmer about It All. Now, if I were God’s West Coast rep, I would have good and merciful changes happen much more quickly than they’re going to. Lennon told us and I believe him that everything turns out okay in the end, and if it isn’t okay, it isn’t the end. And now I had my North Star.

Somehow, hope survived the next breaking news, that Customs agents had shot two people in Portland. Sigh. Government agents are going to keep shooting and killing us, and Trump will keep expanding the number of places he might just want to invade. This seems like our new reality, but amazingly, it is only one aspect of it. Let’s not forget good old yin and yang.  That same afternoon, the Senate voted for the war powers resolution, with five Republicans crossing over, and the House voted to extend the Obamacare subsidies for three years, with 17 GOP votes. And the footage from Iran is thrilling, the massive protests in the streets. The government had to shut down the Internet to try and suppress this, but as Jesus said, when those in power try to stifle the news of love and freedom, the stones will cry out.

Yesterday, all over Twitter, the people of Minneapolis kept posting things along the lines of having panic attacks, but going to have a little lunch or charge there phones and then head back to the streets to try and keep their neighbors safe.

This courage moves me almost to tears. I wish us praying people could pray a fast turnaround—Remember Flip Wilson saying, “I’m about to pray. Anybody need anything?” This isn’t how it works. How it works is each of us doing one small good thing, every day.

All the courage I’m seeing around me thrusts me into these deep days of winter, where I notice is how the slant of light is exquisite.”

 

The Contemplative Path

Happy New Year!

For a number of years, when I have planned and led a worship service on the first Sunday of January, (I have often been away), I have offered a contemplative service – it is usually a combination of Taizé style music, images, and short quotations or readings.

I do this for the mystics among us … (I know they are out there … and I am including myself!)

For me, the new year is a time of reflection, introspection, and preparation.

As we discussed in our Painting the Stars faith study a number of times, a Reformed tradition (of which the United Church is a part) worship service is pretty heavy on the “word” part … praying or talking to God in word and song, and listening to someone else’s words. The Reformed liturgy doesn’t include a lot of listening to the part of God that is inside each and every one of us, and in the world.

During the worship serviceI have often played this wonderful youtube video, which uses music from Estonian composer Arvo Part’s Spiegel Im Spiegel. The video includes images, and selected quotes. I invite you to let the words, images or music speak to you and allow you to settle into this new year.

Arvo Part Spiegel Im Spiegel

Tomorrow’s service includes the exploration of the story of the Magi … those “wise guys” that we have referred to all during Advent, and imagine what it means that after they met the Christ child they had to “go home a different way.”

I was gifted a lovely mug last week which has sat proudly on our kitchen counter for the last 10 days…

 

The mug reminds me of a book I have had since the late 1990s, which I still use to this day, by Jan Richardson.

I will be quoting from Richardson’s website The Painted Prayerbook (Inviting Epiphany « The Painted Prayerbook) tomorrow ...

I will also introduce you to the tradition of Epiphany Star Words, and you will each receive a word on a card to take with you.

This is from our materials:

“We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. We believe that star words invite a prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.”

Blessings

Martha

 

Merry Christmas to all ...

December 23/24, 2025

This will be my last blog for 2025. Last year I was like a deer in headlights going through Advent and Christmas with you … there are so many events and celebrations, so much music and outreach into the community. I found it hard to keep up with it all, and prayed that I was helping not hindering the well oiled Bethany Advent/Christmas machine. I remember thinking at the time “it’s too bad I won’t get a chance to do this again … I have learned so much about how you do things.”

One year later … and I am much more attuned to all the traditions and practices at Bethany … and feel very blessed to have been part of them once again this year. You do it well.

You probably know by now that all staff will be taking a much deserved break until Jan. 4. There is an emergency pastoral plan in place during that time, but other than that the office and building will be closed, except for Sunday worship on Dec. 28th.

I was going to take a quick trip to Ontario to visit my sister and Alana, but in the end I find I don’t have the energy (or the finances!) to do even that. So I will be laying low (Pat has to go back to work on the 27th) … watching movies, knitting, reading, and playing music.

I thought I might share what’s on the Martin playlist every Christmas. A tradition for at least 25 years or more was that every year we got a new Christmas CD, so we have quite a collection. Here are my top 5:

The Chieftains, The Bells of Dublin

https://youtu.be/TMNR2ySiPd4?si=b0XVH0xkUh_E8RsW

Emmy Lou Harris, Light of the Stable

https://youtu.be/yw0IFPs1Umw?si=xJuZJtKS3RVx0T3j

B. B. King, The Christmas Collection

https://youtu.be/ZvCXgmJ3mDE?si=Bt_Di9XXz-usAGgT

Kathy Mattea, Good News

https://youtu.be/ye8MSW5r82A?si=yQ0Y2MGJfkiaxk6W

Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas

https://youtu.be/_fh133ZO1AE?si=oRA4bAAGiX3PTWmM

We have tons more, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Harry Connick Jr. … all quite wonderful.

As for reading material … I have two new books on my list to read. I gave them both to friends and family this Christmas so I feel I have an obligation to read them … even if it’s a book club of two! Both are by Canadian authors, and have good reviews. First one is Mark Critch’s Sorry, Not Sorry (Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For by Mark Critch | Goodreads).

The other is The Upending of Wendall Forbes (a novel) by David Guiliano. David is a former moderator of the United Church of Canada, and an award winning author of both fiction and non-fiction. The Upending of Wendall Forbes - by Latitude 46 Publishing

As for movies … we are coming up to awards season and there are a number that are rising to the top of the list as far as nominations. Two that we have seen which we enjoyed are One Battle After Another (I think it is still in theatres, might be streaming or for purchase at home) and Jay Kelly on Netflix. We also loved the 3rd installment of the Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man, also on Netflix.

Still on our list to see: Hamnet, and Marty Supreme … and probably a bunch of others.

As for TV series (which are recognized as well as movies at the Golden Globes) … we have enjoyed Slow Horses (based on the books by Mick Heron) on Prime, The Diplomat on Netflix and Task on HBO Max.

So … that’s where you will find me over the next 10 days after tomorrow evening. Drinking tea (or maybe something stronger!) and eating chocolate … and hopefully doing some physio exercises to strengthen my knee.

Merry Christmas everyone! And many blessings for the New Year! See you in 2026!

 

 

The longest night ...

The Blue Christmas service at HIllside United Church Sunday afternoon was lovely. It was a joint service with members and clergy from St. John’s United, Hope United, Bethany United and Hillside. We recognized the different losses in our lives, (loved ones, livelihood, love, liveliness), lit candles of hope, and received an annointing blessing. You can watch the service at

(111) Hillside United Church ~ Blue Christmas ~ December 21st, 2025 - YouTube

This was the annointing blessing:

Spirit of the living God, present with us now,

enter you - body, mind, and spirit -

and bring you healing from all that harms you.

In Christ’s name, receive peace,

receive comfort,

receive hope. Amen.

I always think about Newgrange around the time of the Winter Solstice (you can revisit my blog for Dec. 20, 2024 to read about Newgrange in Ireland). It is a reminder to me of the PROMISE (one of this week’s words) that even in our darkest days, that the light will return.

Inspiring words ...

I meant to include this in yesterday’s blog … but when I went to find it, I couldn’t. Saw it on the Sanctified Art Facebook page and found it meaningful.

It is from Melissa Hinnen, pastor and preacher in the United Methodist Church. She often offers “100 word sermons.” Wish I could do that!

Also, I enjoyed reading Anne Lamott’s story about a Christmas many years ago, so I have attached a link to that. Lamott never disappoints, and I am very dependent on the words of others these days for inspiration. Since I am not writing a sermon this week (it is Lessons and Carols) I will offer other’s words.

THE PROMISE - by Anne Lamott - Hallelujah Anyway

You can also find both Lamott and Hinnen on Substack.

Here’s Hinnen’s 100 word sermon, reflecting on one of the scriptures we will here tomorrow … the story of Joseph.

In a season of miracles,

Stay alert to dreams.

Believe the messengers

who proclaim surprising truths.

Decency and compassion are notable qualities.

Basic kindness is a minimum standard.

Go above and beyond respectability.

Reflect righteous relationship with God, self, and others.

Take a courageous leap of faith.

Fulfill what the prophets have spoken.

In the midst of uncertainty and pain,

look for the embodiment of divine creation.

When you feel hidden

in the shadow of a spotlight,

trust that your faithful humility

is integrated into salvific history.

Magnify the sacred grace of Emmanuel - God with us.

Come, Lord Jesus. Come.

Inspired by: Matthew 1:18-25 “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

 And … here’s one more from Nadia Bolz Weber today, also on Substack today. Also very inspirational.

https://substack.com/@thecorners/note/c-189900278?r=elyj6

Happy reading folks.

Leading from a chair ...

This Advent in our worship services we are exploring the idea that two things can be true at once. As we explore the Christmas story through the eyes of Zechariah, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, we see that we can be both afraid and courageous at the same time.

We can have doubt and faith at the same time.

Or, we can hate a piece of music, and be delighted by it at the same time.

Like some of the intricate music the Sorella Choir sang at our concert Tuesday night, (that’s me in the front row, with the cane). I am not a good reader of music at the best of times, and even after countless practices I feared I would be lip syncing many of the pieces. Not to mention the earworms that have been plaguing me for weeks. But it was lovely, and by all reports we all did very well. And, I actually knew more than I thought I did.

Or, like one of the hymns we sang last Sunday – Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending. The theology and imagery in the song (written by Charles Wesley) is so foreign and disagreeable to me I can hardly sing it. And yet the tune is so absolutely fabulous that I can’t stop myself from singing. And then I think of the great Maddy Prior from Steeleye Span, who did an album with the Carnaval Band and she sang Lo He comes … it is absolutely magnificent. And I find I am indeed “singing lustily and with good courage”.

Have a listen:

Maddy Prior and the Carnaval Band on the Album “Sing Lustily and With Good Courage”

https://youtu.be/c7AIf--i1Y0?si=oiBZ0SPZNaPw5h_Y

If you aren’t familiar with Steeleye Span, check out:

Gaudete

(88) Steeleye Span - 'Gaudete' (Live) - YouTube

And just for fun:

Steeleye Span - All Around My Hat (Live Cropredy Festival 2016)

Today’s word is vulnerability.

This month I am remembering that exactly 10 years ago I was in the early stages of recovery from ruptured Achilles tendon. I say early stages because it was entering month 3 of what would end up to be nearly 9 months of “recovery”. Here’s the short version.

I took a tumble in my office at the St. John’s house in early October 2015, shortly after I officially started as their Intentional Interim Minister. I had somehow got some wires that were under my desk wrapped around my right foot and when I got up to leave the office in a hurry I pretty much planked as I flew across the office. I remember thinking mid-flight “oh this is not going to be good” … and landed on the floor, somehow managing not to crack my head on the table or filing cabinet. It was excruciatingly painful, but I could walk.

Over the next month I saw 4 family doctors who all did the little test (The Thompson Test) one does by squeezing the back of my calf to test if the Achilles is intact … and all pronounced it “not ruptured”. One even advised me to continue to walk, stretch it out, etc. I went to Toronto for General Council Executive meetings. In early November I went to my physiotherapist who said, after examination, “there’s nothing there”, and immediately got me in to a physiotherapist who specializes in Achilles injuries (who I still see). She said, “it’s shredded” and got me in to see the orthopedic surgeon thee next day, who put me on the emergency surgery list. A week later I was in a wheelchair and a non-weightbearing cast and living and sleeping in our living room. Below are the stages of my “recovery” and change of casts.

I think it was around week 6 when I was able to put a bit of weight on it, and then it was 10 years ago this week that I was finally “sprung” from the cast to a boot. Just in time for the latest Star Wars movie I noted in my facebook post.

For the first two months I was hosting bible studies and church meetings in my living room (with the bed made of course) and leading worship from a wheelchair … I might manage to stand for the prayers and sermon, but I was getting around in a wheelchair.

I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be months of ortho visits, an undiagnosed infection, and subsequent surgery. And then another non weight bearing cast.

I tell you all this for two reasons … you may understand better my hesitation to put myself in situations when I might take a tumble (and why I didn’t come down the stairs during the service last Sunday – that’s an arthritic knee) … been there, done that. Would like to avoid it (the tumble piece).

Second … and this is where the word vulnerability comes in … my friend Paul in Northern Ireland, who was consoling me from afar said in the early days … “remember, you can lead from a chair.”

I have never forgot that. It is a metaphor for me of remembering one’s vulnerability, accepting our limitations, and accepting help from others. And, also offering help when one is able to.

That’s what we learn about Joseph’s story this week – Joseph stepped up to walk with Mary despite his fear and hesitation.

Stepping up … but with hesitation.

Doubt and faith.

Leading from a chair.

Please join us this Sunday for our Lessons and Carols Service, and a visit from Joseph.

Many blessings

 

 

Upside down Jesus

I was reviewing my blog from a year ago, and remembering how wonderful it was when you began to send me your pictures of your nativity scenes, with stories.

At the risk of repeating myself, I am happy to receive any pictures of your nativity scenes that you want to send me and I will post them here in the next 2 weeks for everyone to enjoy. I also have a special request for those of you that made the banners at last Friday’s wonderful “Olde Fashioned Christmas”. At the end of this I will post a few pictures that Dana took of the banners being made. We would love to see the finished products in your homes … with all the embellishments … and perhaps even you, in the picture! Please send them along for all to see.

My collection of nativity scenes, which I put on our mantle, comes from different parts of the world, and they are contextual to the culture. Below is one I found in a little artists’ shop in Washington, DC. I think it’s from Peru. It’s called Hammock Nativity. It is one of my favourites.

I was remembering that one year, as I took a picture of it to be included in the power point in the worship service, I realized that Jesus had been hanging upside down since the beginning of Advent. I was shocked that I hadn’t noticed it until then. I have shown him upside down, and then how he should be.

Poor Jesus … looking at the floor all that time instead of into the loving eyes of all who welcomed him into the world.

Feels like a fitting metaphor for Advent sometimes … our Stewardship coach at our last meeting in the week leading up to Advent 1 talked about “Madvent” … which we all related to. Yes, it is a blessed time.

But the reality for some of us is that we have often felt that we have been turned upside down, often focussed on only the view we can see. It takes intentionality to turn us right side up so we can see the miracles and love all around us.

This week we look at Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel. As the poet Jan Richardson says, who wrote a poem from the angel Gabriel’s perspective (who was very much afraid of what he had to announce to Mary!) it was the marking of “… her last ordinary moment, knowing that the next step would cleave her life: that this day would slice her story in two, dividing all the days before from all the ones to come.”

In other words, turn her life upside down.

We are enjoying your pictures, which are very much helping me to stop and see the world around me in these “Madvent” days. Please keep them coming. This week’s words are:

         Be

         Yes

         Courage

         Magnify

         Awaken

         Vulnerability

         Love

 

 

Advent 2 Peace

I don’t have much to say this week. It’s been a very busy and somewhat intense week of meetings, medical appointments, study groups, and worship preparation.  

Yesterday was a celebration of life for a friend of many years, and then the Olde Fashioned Christmas last night, which was absolutely a wonderful event (more on that later).  I didn’t work nearly as hard as my colleagues to plan and carry out the event, but by the end of the evening I could barely stand up.

I was asked to do an opening prayer and blessing at the beginning of the Celebration of Life, which was held in the church hall at the Greek Orthodox church on Purcell’s Cove Road. I was honoured to do that, although I am always daunted when I am asked to pray on behalf of hundreds of strangers. Although many of them weren’t strangers …. it’s just that I hadn’t seen them for at least several decades. And for many, the idea of me as a minister getting up and offering a prayer would be as laughable as me piloting a spacecraft to the moon.

As a close friend since birth, Pat was one of the speakers. The two families, the Martins and the Dooleys, grew up together on Mabou Avenue. As Pat said, there was a Martin for every Dooley. Pat was the first to speak, and did a great job. He’s not comfortable speaking in public, and I can attest to the stress he has been under since he was asked to do it about a week ago.

There were lots of tears … and memories shared. Of the 70s and 80s … the LBR (yes, that’s me in the middle of an old grainy picture of The Farriers playing at the LBR in the late 70s), the Atlantic Folk Festival … and the music scene at that time. I don’t often like to look back on those times, for a number of reasons. I look at the picture and barely know that “token female” in the middle. And yet yesterday, I didn’t mind being surrounded by memories and people from my past. It felt comforting. Even hopeful … and I am not sure why.

Last night’s event at Bethany was a wonderful combination of worship, social, craft and cookies. It was lovely to see families working together on the banners and other crafts. And I felt blessed to be able to travel around and talk to many of them. Thanks to all the youth and staff and volunteers who made the event happen. It was joyful and meaningful.

Please check out the special page that Dana created on our website where we are posting your pictures (and poems, and reflections and stories). The link is below. And if you have a picture that speaks to you, but you can’t figure out which word your picture fits, send it along. Dana and I are having great fun putting things together.

This week in worship we have another guest … it’s John the Baptist … but it might be a side of John you haven’t seen before. Hope you can make it!

This week’s words are:

Hope

Perceive

Trust

Useful

Conviction

Transformation

Reorient

        

 

 

Advent 1

At the beginning of Advent 2019, I looked around my tiny little apartment at Broadview and Danforth in Toronto and wondered how to make it look a bit more festive. I had been scrolling through Facebook and was feeling a bit left out, and perhaps nostalgic, after seeing post after post of beautifully decorated homes. I looked through the rather scant collection in the small box of Christmas decorations that I had brought with me from Halifax, looked through the kitchen drawer for a sticky wall hanger for the wall, and did the best I could.

I then posted this picture on FB with the caption “Phew! Got the tree up.”

I had lots of “likes” … and even a few comments: “Looks great! Can you come and put mine up too?” and “Whew! You must be beat!”

The weeks leading up to Christmas are always a whirlwind for anyone working in the church. That Christmas, Pat actually came to Toronto for Christmas to join Alana and I, as did Duncan. After the Christmas Eve service at the church, we all went back to my apartment for a sleepover … (can’t remember who got the couch, or who got the air mattress on the floor) … and had a lovely Christmas morning together. Later that day we all crowded into Alana’s basement apartment for a Christmas dinner that Alana had cooked. The day was lovely.

Some of my fondest Christmas memories are those when something unexpected happened … or things didn’t go quite as planned. Like the Christmas spent in London, England, with my cousin and a family that had “adopted” us for 8 months when I was 20 years old. Or, the Christmas 12 years ago when I had surgery two weeks before Christmas and couldn’t do a thing. It was humbling to allow myself to be cared for and rest. Two of my three kids were born in November, which always added to the chaos of the season as we attempted to navigate things with a newborn.

Sometimes it takes an outside force to shake things up a bit to make you stop and notice what’s going on around you. And force you to think outside the box. Sometimes, you even have to make stuff up … create new traditions with what you have on hand.

This Sunday we begin Advent. And yes … the block nativity figures will be on hand during the all ages time. It has brought me great joy to have had so many folks ask me “will the nativity figures be making an appearance again this year?”

The materials we are using this year from Sanctified Art are full of artwork, poetry, and reflections around the theme “What do you fear?”

Here are some words of introduction from the materials:

“Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod…” This detail may seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, the whispers of angels deliver a surprising message: “Do not fear.” In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?”

I love that question … Is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When I reflect on my own experiences I cited above (in Toronto, in London, and in Halifax) … in each of those circumstances I entered into them with great fear and trepidation … going on a European adventure with 3 friends with a one way ticket and absolutely no concrete plans … having fairly major surgery … and moving to Toronto for an unknown length of time … even though I was fearful I was somehow able to face and move through the fear. And each one led me to a holy and sacred time.

On the Sanctified Art Facebook page a ministry leader posted her “photo a day challenge” to her community. She invited folks to send her photos that illustrated a posted word each day. I have heard of this before … and always hoped for an opportunity to try it out.

So, here’s your chance. You all did so well posting your nativity scenes last year (along with wonderful stories) … I am inviting you to send me your photos (and a story if you want to share …) that illustrate any of the words for the week. Here is the calendar and list of words for the four weeks:

I will post the pictures on my blog … perhaps even more than once a week!

This week’s words are:

         Longing

         Break in

         Fear

         Possibility

         Presence

         Marvel

So, email me your pictures folks … and a story if you wish.

If I had to pick a word for my Christmas tree picture … perhaps it would be “possibility” … or maybe even “break in” … it represents the possibility of doing things differently … still finding God in the season and opening myself to seeing and experiencing the God of hope, peace, love and joy in new and and different ways.

Hope to see you on Sunday! And also … for those of you who watch us live … please identify yourself in the chat. Steve Morley is now monitoring the live chat and we would love to know who else is joining us. Feel free to offer comments or ask questions during the service. We may not get to them while we are live … but know that we will get back to you!

 Blessings!

 

change ... and trust ...

This is going on at the end of my street, at the corner of Dublin and North Street.

St. Theresa’s Church is being demolished.

It is quite a spectacle. It went down very fast. These are some pictures from this week.

News reports say that the Archdiocese of Halifax and Yarmouth plans to turn the site into an affordable housing complex, pending municipal approval.

I think I was only in the building once or twice. But I know it has been a huge presence in the community – at Oxford School, where my kids all attended, and in my immediate neighbourhood for nearly a hundred years. I would watch people file by our house on Saturday afternoons for five o’clock mass. And countless funerals.

Now, I have never been one who has been attached to buildings, even in the houses I have lived in. And I have learned to live with change, however painful. And I’m not a big fan of the Roman Catholic church as an insititution. But I do know many faithful folks for whom that is their faith, and I worked closely with sisters and lay people in that tradition when I was a Chaplain at the MSVU. And I married into a faithful Roman Catholic family.

And for those folks, I can imagine that it is very painful to see part of the community’s history being literally obliterated. It is a stark symbol of the non permanence of life. And perhaps even a symbol of what is happening to the church around the world.

I speak often of the authors that keep me grounded and even hopeful in these challenging times. Anne Lamott has grounded me and given me hope for over 30 years. Following are excerpts from a column she wrote on substack on Nadia Bolz Weber’s page. You can read the whole things at:

Anne Lamott - Trust and Surrender

“Brothers and sisters, here we are, clueless about what the future holds but knowing who holds the future. I wonder if it would be so much skin off Their divine nose to let us know how everything is going to shake down, so that we can make advantageous plans.

But noooo, this is not the system.

The system is that one some days God’s will unspools in in the ways of a surrealist, non-linear movie director, with PMS.

Other days, we feel hilariously abundant love and grace, grace as spiritual W-D 40 that against all odds, and I mean ALL odds, pokes its thin red straw into our darkest and most clenched spaces, and offers release. (Cold dead hands, in my case.) (I heard in early recovery that everything we let go of has claw marks on it.) …

 …Trust and surrender. Hmmm. Left to my own devices, I am more about praying for God’s will, but then adding in a number of my always-excellent thoughts on how things should shake down. I know God rolls Their eyes gently and smiles. God’s name for me is Beloved. So, just for today, I pray trust and surrender, I pray not to be such an asshole, I pray gratitude, I pray thankyouthankyouthankyou sweet gentle shepherd; and I pray Make me ever caring and available to the needs of the poor. Amen.”

This week is the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and then Advent starts. In some churches, it is called Reign of Christ Sunday. I call it Kin-dom of God Sunday, and we hear from the prophet Jeremiah that yes, as Anne Lamott says, there is a plan. But you don’t need to know what it is. In the meantime, do what you can to bring about the kin-dom of God.

There. That’s the sermon. You don’t need to come on Sunday. But we would love to see you anyway … and, there’s LOTS of other things going on that are way more important than my sermon.

Oh yeah … It’s Black Friday on November 28, where there are lots of sales on big items … or … as a counter protest, it’s also Buy Nothing Day. A small protest perhaps, but a statement to do things a bit differently … you can check it out online and find out more at

BUY NOTHING DAY - November 28, 2025 - National Today

And my experience is … the sales last into December.

 Hope to see many of you at the Jingle Brunch tomorrow!

 

 

Too much stuff ...

I approach the Advent season (starts in 2 weeks!) with much excitement, yet a fair amount of fear and trepidation. The season thrives on consuming … and yet there has always been the tension for me of intentionally discovering the joy, hope, peace and love in the season … and being part of a faith community with its many activities and opportunities to gather and explore and celebrate the season in a different way.

But the tension is real. During Advent I regularly visit websites that offer alternatives to spending money … and buying more stuff. It’s a challenge. The Advent Conspiracy is a great organization that is still going (they began in 2006) and offers lots of resources for alternative ways of giving and celebrating during the season. And there are many others.

This week, as Buy Nothing Day approaches on November 29th (I will say more about that next week) … and the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference continues to take place in Brazil until next Friday, I am thinking about my own personal habits and frame of mind as I prepare for the season. It is always the time when I try to set some boundaries and parameters around my own practices over the next 2 months.

And I make promises to myself that “this year will be different.”

I began a sermon in 2010 by showing one of my favourite songs … Delbert McLinton, Lyle Lovett and John Prine singing “Too Much Stuff.”

https://youtu.be/U3PLjbuTI48?si=yGh8vCE_XWu2k5rZ

I went on to talk about (and confess) my own addiction to having too much stuff. The gospel that day was from Luke 12, the “parable of the rich fool” it says in my bible.

The story that Jesus taught is not a lesson saying that it is evil to have wealth. It is not a lesson meant to create guilt for those who have much. It’s a lesson about the questions that we ask ourselves about how we want to live our lives, how we want to use our resources. Which gets us back to stewardship, and discipleship.

The following words come from a piece I wrote in my 2017 UCC Lenten study book, “Parables, Prayers and Promises: Daily Devotions About Jesus”.

“I have too much stuff. There was a time, many years ago, when I spent eight months in Britain and Europe, and everything I owned fit into a large red knapsack. When I went to Corrymeela for 3 months, everything I needed fit into a large suitcase. It was quite liberating. But somehow, over many decades, I have amassed a lot of stuff. And, if I am to make a personal confession here, I often succumb to buying more stuff. I come by it honestly – my mom was a great shopper in her prime … whether she could afford it or not. I think it was her therapy in times of stress.

The Story of Stuff (story of stuff.org) explores the route that “stuff”, for example, clothes, electronics, toys, household items, etc. take to get to the shelves in our stores. They most often originate in countries in what we would call the South, or the developing world, and end up in the North, for those of us who are the largest consumers in the world. It is shocking how disposable our society has become. However, who hasn’t been frustrated by trying to find a place that will fix a small appliance or electronic device, only to be told that it would be cheaper to just buy a new one? We are all caught in a crazy system, and we are all looking for ways to make it better.

Jesus tells us that all the treasure we need is in fact deep inside our hearts. He challenges us to resist the pressures of our society, to be counter cultural, and to ask ourselves about how we want to live our lives, how we want to use our resources.”

I was pleased to discover that The Story of Stuff is still going and has turned into quite a large organization, with lots of resources, (including their 20 minute original film, which you can find on Youtube) about how to reduce your stuff.

The Story of Stuff - Story of Stuff

This week, you will start to hear and read about some of the events planned for the coming season – a new faith study from the Sanctified Arts folks which begins on November 26, community events, and many ways to support others during the coming weeks. I feel slightly more prepared this year to ride the “Bethany Advent and Christmas train” (last year I said it was like trying to jump on board a moving train!)

This coming Sunday, we bless all the animals in our care. The all ages service will once again feature some wonderful prayers from “Prayers from the Ark” by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, and the BBC youtube video “Nature Makes You Happy”. I will bless granddog Murphy virtually, (pictured below) whose cancer has returned, but at the moment is well.

Nature Makes You Happy | BBC Earth

See you Sunday.

 

 

 

Cross Training for Preachers ...

A member of the faith community was in the office this week, and in the course of the conversation with Dana and I, she stopped and looked at me and asked me how I was. “I looked at you on Sunday and I could see your tired eyes.”

Yikes. Even from that distance?

While it was lovely to have felt cared for and held … it alarmed me slightly. It is so easy for me to be overtaken by work and busyness. But I wasn’t aware that it would be so obvious that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. Self care doesn’t come easily to me. It’s a bad habit I learned years ago while managing 2 half time jobs, 3 kids, and part-time university and then theology school. It might have worked (which is highly questionable) in my 40s … but I don’t think it’s working in my early 70s.

As I looked at the picture of my colleague, Rev. Catherine MacDonald, and I at the conference … yes … it does look like those are tired eyes.

So, I am committing to do better … in front of you all.

This week I promised to share a bit about the other workshops that I attended at the peaching conference I went to in Toronto at the end of October. The truly inspirational one was led by Rev. Susan Sparks of NYC, who I have also heard speak before. Her workshop that I attended many years ago, about using humour in sermons, also altered my approach to preaching.

This is how Susan describes herself on her youtube channel:

“I’m Susan Sparks—a preacher, comedian, author and Harley-riding cowboy boot addict. I help people live life full power. Hey, we all know that life has curves. Things we never expect. Things that throw us into the wind or down to the ground. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve lived through a divorce, survived cancer, lost both parents, traveled solo around the world for two years and left a ten-year law practice to create a career as an ordained minister and a standup comedian. Here’s what I learned: Bends in the road are inevitable. But they are also where life takes flight. They are the places where we have the opportunity to face down our fears, accelerate through and become something more. Every Wednesday I’ll post a new meditation with a biker twist about about how we, together, can take risk, face change and welcome possibility. We’re all on the same road. Subscribe to my site and let's face the curves together! - Susan”

You can find out more about Susan at Susan Sparks | Preacher, Comedian, Author, Speaker

If you click on the video on the home page you can watch an engaging 3 minute video about Susan.

Susan’s workshop was called “Cross Training for Preachers: Leveraging lessons from Unexpected Disciplines.” It was excellent – and most affirming for many of us who are only just now realizing how much living through 2 years of total upheaval during the pandemic took a toll on us personally and professionally, and also on our faith communities. Susan’s humour and candidness about her own doubts, struggles and challenges in the past few years post-pandemic gave us all permission to “feel all the feels”.

She had some great ideas about the lessons we can learn from songwriters (“three chords and the truth”), singers (“sell it with your voice”) … storytellers (“people will remember 10% of what you tell them”) … novelists … poets … chefs … pilgrimage, and science. I will be referring to her speaking notes to keep me inspired in the coming months. And hoping to take them to heart.

To that end, we saw two movies this week, which I think fall into the “storyteller” category. And also the humour category, a common theme that runs through all of Susan’s work. I recommend both. I suspect that One Battle After Another, in theatres now, will garner a number of Academy Award nominations, and it deserves it. We thoroughly enjoyed it. I will put it in the idea bank for the “Let’s Go to the Movies” sermon series in the new year.

The other was John Candy: I Like Me, a new documentary that premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, and is now available on Prime video. It was a wonderful stroll down memory lane, with lots of laughs (a great stress reliever) … but you also need to have a box of tissues handy.

And I am really looking forward to the Silent Movie Night with Shawn tonight. I had to miss it last year as we were away. Tonight I will be there … maybe with sunglasses on.

Sunday is remembrance Sunday when we honour our veterans, and also commit to working for peace in our lives, our communities and in the world.

Blessings folks. Here’s Catherine and Susan.

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