Butterfly (reprise)

The following post first appeared in What's the Good Word in April of 2011.  Much has changed for our lovely butterfly over the intervening three years, and change will continue to occur.  What has not changed is our delight in this little congregation's colourful contribution to our collective life.  We continue to smile on days when the butterfly soars in the warmth of holy sunshine and watch carefully on days when it needs to seek shelter from the rain. As a way to look back and remember the delightful flight of this little entity, I offer the following reprint of that early post.

*************************

Consider the caterpillar; how he crawls along quietly going from leaf to leaf, staying mostly hidden, trying to blend in with his surroundings.  He wouldn’t dare stand out.  After all, he might get stepped on or eaten for some bird’s lunch!  So he quietly crawls along until it is time, then spins a cocoon with himself inside.  To all appearances, that is the end.  The caterpillar is no more.  The blend-in caterpillar, that perhaps no one knew even existed, has ceased to be.

But then something remarkable happens.  Transformation occurs!  The cocoon splits and a new creature emerges.  This new being does not immediately take to the air, but spends some time to get oriented and dry its wings in the sun.  Only then does it begin to float on the breeze and fly where it wills.  Gone are the drab, blend-in colours, replaced by bright and wondrous hues.  The urge to hide is replaced by a willingness to see and be seen as it visits the flowers and makes the world a better, more beautiful place.

In the Barrie congregation, we are beginning to see signs of a butterfly.  Our former presence there had reached the stage of its life when it needed its rest.  To outside appearances, the caterpillar was dead, but this was not the case.  From the cocoon has emerged a new creature and a fresh expression of Christian life is beginning to test its wings in that fair city. 

This past weekend, for instance, there was a gathering of youth and others on Thursday evening for fun and fellowship.  Friday saw our leaders out on the streets, visiting the unique flowers that are God’s people.  Saturday evening was their first worship event held in a downtown café, and the little coffee shop was packed with 31 people!  Then Sunday afternoon, despite some rain, a group gathered for a service project which consisted of picking up trash at a local park.  I have seen pictures of that event, and they were clearly having a wonderful time.  They didn’t even look like caterpillars!  Then they all went back to the pastor’s home for more conversation and play.

I think this butterfly is going to be absolutely beautiful!

Posted by Carman

Dedicated

I have watched with some interest the celebrations of the Queen’s jubilee marking 60 years on the throne of Britain and the Commonwealth.  In the moments I have been able to observe the festivities on television, it has been wonderful to see people celebrating together in the streets and forming immediate community with others who have come to stand in the rain if necessary, watch for a glimpse of her Majesty, and cheer their hearts out.  The fact that CBC has provided hours of uninterrupted coverage of this event has been blessed relief from the usual bad and gloomy news that is the normal diet served up by our news broadcasters. 

Even more gratifying was to listen to the sermon of thanksgiving presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday morning, EDT.  It was lovely to hear him define what it means to be dedicated, and to describe the Queen’s 60 years of service in exactly those terms.  It was lovely.  His quoting of St. Paul, and his description of the Queen's generous service is inspiring, and causes one to look at the depth of our one's dedication, and that to which we are dedicated.  The Archbishop invites us to exactly this kind of reflection as he ends his tribute with the following words.

Dedication to the health and well-being of a community is all this and more. May we be given the grace to rediscover this as we give thanks today for Her Majesty's sixty years of utterly demanding yet deeply joyful service.

You can read the full text of  his remarks here if you wish.  I highly recommend it.

Posted by Carman

Joy

Joy is a funny thing. Sometimes you don’t know you don’t have it until you notice it missing in your life.

I understand that the “Healing and Freeing of the Spirit Reunion” for this coming year is going to be quite focused around Joy! I am certain that this “Second Ziontario Reunion" will be a great blessing for everyone who attends! (Here's their facebook page)

Anne Koeslag and Barbara Smith are codirecting this important Reunion and these are things that I am seeing from them when talking about their Reunion:

We’re focusing on the “JOY”!

“Make a Joyful Noise”

Pack up your “inner child” and Come out and play!

Personally, I am going to try to find a couple of days to visit Healing and Freeing of the Spirit! I mean, who can’t do with a bit more Joy?

There was a day in the fall when I realized that there was an absence of Joy in my life. I had just locked my keys in the car and the skies had opened up. It was raining to beat the band.

With rain teeming down, and nowhere to go, I stood there and realized my predicament and then I saw our dog, Simon, in the backyard.

Simon was jumping and running and nipping at the steady flow of water that was coming down, he was having a great time! I learned a couple of very valuable lessons that day.

1. After a certain point you just can’t get any wetter.
2. You have to grasp the Joy and run with it no matter what the circumstances might be.

I went into the backyard and we, Simon and I, played fetch for a while. This was a very joyful time!



“And a little puppy shall lead them”?

Well, I don’t know about that but I do know that you have to grab onto these little life lessons when they present themselves... Even when they seem to come from the most unlikely of sources!

How has Joy presented itself to you lately? Go ahead and share! I “double dog dare” you!

John Nichols

Balloons

On Sunday afternoon, May 8, 2011, the Fired Up team met at Waterloo Town Square to give away helium filled balloons and offer free hugs to people who passed by. It sounds like a pretty simple service project doesn’t it? It is of course, but like all simple ideas, it took weeks of planning to make the event a success. The balloons needed to be ordered and paid for ahead of time. Should we have the Fired Up logo printed on the balloons? How about a big smiley face that would make people feel happy? How much will that cost? Who will order the balloons? How will we get all those helium filled balloons to the site?

Then there was that other question, “What do we do if it rains?” Hmmm…that could be a definite downer. It was decided that in the event of rain, they would have some big umbrellas handy and offer to escort people to their cars, and the event would go on. At least that problem was solved!

After trying to deal with all those questions, it was tempting to back off, forget the balloons and just offer free hugs. After all, hugs are free and you don’t have to transport them. In fact, 100 hugs take up no more room than 10. But would people be open to an offer of a free hug from a stranger? What to do, what to do?

In the end, the team decided to step forward in courage and order 100 helium filled balloons. They opted for brightly coloured balloons with ribbons but no printing in order to save money, at least for this first try. The Fired Up message could be conveyed by giving people a card with the information on it. As for transporting them, some friends were recruited to help get the balloons to the square. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny afternoon, so no umbrellas were needed. I’m sure there were some thankful hearts for that little blessing.

About an hour after they began, I arrived on the scene to see how the event was going. By that time, brightly coloured balloons could be seen up and down King Street and all over the square. It was a wonderful, energizing, happy sight. The team was down to their last few balloons, but free hugs were being offered to everyone. It was remarkable to see grown men and women suddenly change course when offered a hug. In the short time I was there, I heard comments like, “I love hugs,” and “I’ll take all the hugs I can get!” Some didn't want just one hug, but insisted on getting a hug from the entire group. Between the sunshine, the balloons and the hugs, joy was definitely spreading in the community.

The most remarkable change of the day, however, was not the balloons or the hugs, but those who gathered to give them away; I have never seen them happier. Their faces were covered in huge smiles, their hearts were filled with love, and their comments included, “Can we do this every week? This is fun!” Another was, “I was apprehensive about offering to give people hugs, but now I know people really are open to that. I’m having a great time.”

On Sunday afternoon, a tiny group of disciples took to the streets to try and spread a little joy to the people they would meet. They were successful. As I reflect on it now, I am reminded of a line from one of Apostle Paul’s most famous teachings:

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. [1 Cor 13:13]

Posted by Carman

Scarborough

On Monday evening, I met with the pastors of the Scarborough congregation, or as I like to call it, Toronto East. We discussed their current organizational structure, and the efforts they are making to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a modern way. The pastors discussed their six focus areas for ministry. They showed me their audio-video capacity and explained how they are using it to bring ministry. They shared about starting the year off with a baptismal service in which a mother and daughter made a covenant with Christ, and then were confirmed in a separate service. In many ways, they are off to a good start for the year.

The thing that impressed me, however, was not the plans, the graphics, or the org-chart. It was not their proficiency at creating activities or learning opportunities for their members. The thing that impressed me was the energy and enthusiasm with which they spoke about their congregation. It was clear that they are enjoying their church community and their leadership roles within it. It was obvious that their congregation actually is a community of joy for them. Said another way, their congregation is fun! Wouldn't it be great if that were always the case?

There was a second element that I found encouraging in our conversation. As I invariably asked about how the programs could bless the surrounding community, I found that there was a very “can-do” attitude present. No idea was met with a frown that said, “Oh, we couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do that,” in fact quite the opposite was the case. Every suggestion was met with a smile, an enthusiastic nod, and a comment like, “That’s a really interesting idea!” To me, leaders who are open to new ideas are always a cause for celebration.

So here’s to the leadership team in Scarborough. They lift each other up, celebrate the giftedness of their people, encourage each other, and are open to new suggestions. What more could a congregation ask?

Posted by Carman

Season

It is upon us! 'Tis the season!

By any number of markers, it has indeed arrived. The first was probably the commercials on tv, quickly followed by the heavier and heavier piles of paper being delivered to our doorstep. Somewhere in there might be a few pages of news, but mostly it's ads for every potential gift imaginable--and some not so imaginable. (Who gives a furnace filter or bulk meat to show seasonal regard?) Conversation these days is typically some version of "Can you believe they're advertising so early? Does it get earlier every year?"

And of course it doesn't. We're right on schedule. Thoughts of gift giving, office parties, play rehearsals, choir practices, menu planning, tree buying, decorating, shopping, baking, holiday letter writing line up on our "To Do" lists. Festive songs get loaded into cd players, play lists, whatever. Santa lists are being compiled. School parties or seasonal concerts fill up calendar slots. How many things must be done and how can priorities be juggled to fit everything in? How many lists are you working on?

Some of us are trying to find extra time to plan critical parts of important Advent worship--reading, praying, preaching, drama, song. Our challenge may be to find something new to say about something very, very old. How to cast the old, old story in a way that's fresh or different? Or are you the one who loves everything exactly the same old way?

What are your thoughts as we enter this season? Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Four opportunities to slow down for some moments of rest on the race to the finish line. To remember those simple but very profound words that shape our mission, and for just now, that shape our season. Peace, hope, joy, love!

I'm going to try to let those words shape my season. It's too easy to get swept up in the frenzy and to forget what matters most. How are you doing? What are the elements of the season that give you peace, hope, joy and love? Are they the old ones or have you found something new to be excited about?

How do you plan to deal with the challenges of the season? Any tips to share?
Let me wish you all the best of the Season!

Posted by Marion

Reads

On Wednesday, the five final titles in CBC’s 2010 Canada Reads book selection were announced. You can read more about that at Canada Reads 2010.

I find myself slightly chagrined. I have not read any of these books, although I have had a copy of The Jade Peony in my possession for several years. And just like last year, I tell myself, I must do better. But once again, it may not happen.

It is not that I feel any need to get my reading list from a group of elites or keep up with some sort of high-brow Canadian culture. It is, rather, that a good book is a good book, and a joy to read. This panel has identified what they feel are great books, and I love a great book as much as anyone else.

It is also not that I do not read because, in fact, I do. But like everyone else these days, finding the time to read has become more of a challenge and my reading time tends to be limited to early morning moments, and late nights before falling asleep. The choice of books selected becomes limited just by the scarcity of reading time. Book time begins to feel like a luxury. Sad day!

Still, Christmas holidays are coming, and that always stimulates hope of curling up with a good book or two for a few hours or even days of enjoyable reading. For me, this season also provides hope that I might be able to shift gears from reading work-related titles to fiction.

The topic of books is no stranger to this blog, and the release of Canada Reads 2010 suggests that perhaps it is time to revisit this favourite topic. Also, as I write this, the sound of ice pellets hitting the window in the pre-dawn light makes the idea of staying in to read a wonderful thought. With all that in mind, let me start the conversation off with my current list of books on the go.

Non-fiction
• Reframing Hope, Vital Ministry in a New Generation by Carol Howard Merritt
• The Tangible Kingdom, Creating Incarnational Community by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay

Devotional
• A Course in Miracles Workbook for Students

Fiction (recently read)
• The Shaman’s Bones by James D. Doss

That is my current meager list of books on the go. Now it is your turn. Read any good books lately? What are you reading now? Anything you would like to share with the rest of us? How about any books you hope to find in your stocking on Christmas morning less than one month from now? Perhaps you can drop a hint or two here! 

Enjoy your day.

Posted by Carman

Laugh

Last Sunday afternoon on the way home from Director’s Retreat I was casually listening to The Vinyl Café, which I often find at least mildly amusing should I happen to be travelling in the car at the right time. In this case, Stuart McLean was interviewing Andrea, the third generation member of her family to manage Russell Books in Victoria, BC. Because I previously enjoyed a 23 year career in the Canadian book industry, I was casually following the conversation when I was surprised by the sound of Andrea’s hearty laugh. The sound was so genuine and compelling that I was startled! You could tell from the easy and natural sound that this was a person who laughs a lot. It was wonderful.

As I thought about this, I realized the reason the sound of this woman’s laughter was so startling is because it is a sound I don’t hear all that often. Further, I came to see that I don’t laugh nearly enough myself; in fact hardly at all. Somehow, life has become far too serious. These days we all seem to work too hard and play too little. As ridiculous as that is, I’m quite sure none of us are the least bit amused.

The health benefits of a good laugh have long been known. Laughter has been shown to reduce pain levels, increase a person’s energy, strengthen the immune system, and even offer protection from the damaging effects of stress. Further, it reduces tension between people and lessens conflict. And the best thing about this remarkable therapy is that you don’t need a medical plan to access it; it is absolutely free!

So why don’t we laugh more? In fact, why don’t we do something about this? How be if we all do something good for ourselves today, and have a good laugh? Its really not that hard. And just in case you need a little help, here’s a link that will help you. You have probably seen these laughing quadruplet babies before, but they are worth watching again, and I know you will at least smile. Click here.

There now, don’t you feel better?

Posted by Carman

Favourites

Last Saturday evening on facebook, I posed the question as to whether or not the CEM president was allowed to have a favourite congregation. I received some generous responses, at least one of which offered me the grace of forgiveness, which truly made me smile. (And yes, Susan, you are correct, I do have room in my heart for all of them.)

When I think about it, I probably have different favourites at different times, and for different reasons, in fact they are probably all my favourites when I am there. But today and probably everyday, the Montreal congregation is my favourite for several reasons.

1. They have a wonderful variety of music, including three or four different choirs, a terrific 5-piece praise band including a guitarist who seems to be able to pick up almost any piece of music by the second verse and play it, and a young base player who is just about as fast.
2. They have lots of beautiful children, and a worship service that can hold their attention, especially the lively music.
3. When this church prays, they pray with a serious intensity that has nothing to do with elegance or eloquence.
4. They have a wonderful pastor who really loves his people, and doesn’t mind riding the bus for 1 ½ hours each way to be with them for a Monday evening small group.
5. And last but certainly not least, there is a certain kind of joy in the worship of this congregation that I have not experienced anywhere else in the mission centre. Clearly this is a people who understand that God loves them, and just as clearly, they truly love God right back!

Now, I know that enthusiastic worship is not for everyone. Some people value the peace and tranquility of a more sedate style. But there is no denying that when you have been to church in Montreal, you know you have been there. This is not the type of worship experience that you can’t remember by Tuesday; in fact this service can make me smile from one year to the next!

So, thank you God, for the Montreal Community of Christ. They are certainly one of my favourites, and I have to wonder if they might not be one of Your favourites too!

Posted by Carman

Conference

Last Saturday’s Canada East Mission conference was a truly remarkable day. There were many aspects of this day that I found personally gratifying. I will resist the temptation of do a “top ten” format, as it might risk trivializing such a meaningful day, but a few of the highlights for me are as follows.

First of all, Trinity United Church in Guelph was practically full for the event, even though there was no controversial legislation. There appears to be a high level of interest, both in the proceedings of the day and in the success of our mission. These are encouraging signs.

Second, the content of the President’s Report seemed to resonate with many people in the congregation. That is always very gratifying, since during the months of preparation, you are never sure just how it will be received. Many seemed to understand and relate to the update on CEM goals. To me, this provides more confirmation of the truth and appropriateness of the conference theme, Mission Possible! Consequently, the 2011 CEM budget was passed without a hitch.

Third, we had fun. We were able to enjoy a little good-spirited banter and humor at appropriate times during the day, with no one feeling hurt or frustrated. We also experienced joy in the principle cause of celebration for the day. Nine calls to senior priesthood ministry were presented and approved, with many fine confirming testimonies of the appropriateness of those calls. The conference worship and ordination service, planned and led by some of our fine young adult leaders, was one of the nicest services I have been part of for a long, long time. The Spirit of Love and Peace, so obvious in the ordination service, appears to have touched and inspired many people who were present. Praise God!

I have received several emails and many comments from folks who were present and truly touched by the spirit of the day. I appreciate their kindness, but am even more grateful that people found the day so inspiring.

IN CEM, we have begun to explore anew the path of the disciple; this time seeking to understand and get on with our mission. To paraphrase a sermon from then President Grant McMurray, “We are packed and ready for the journey; won’t you come?

Posted by Carman

Chile

I am writing this post on Thursday, so it will probably be old news by the time you read it, but I still think it is worth a comment or two.

This morning, as yesterday morning, the news is all about the successful rescue of the 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for the past 69 days. In fact, yesterday I don’t think there was any other news! Even the Commonwealth games hardly got a passing mention on the Canadian news channels, and that is highly unusual. Today the rescue is the lead story, but the closing ceremony of the games will also be covered at least, and there will be some handwringing over the fact that Canada only came away with 75 medals. I guess things are returning to normal (sigh).

But it is amazing and wonderful to have such a good news story so fully occupy the attention of broadcast journalists and news anchors, not just here but around the world. It is really quite refreshing. It is lovely to see Chileans proudly waving their flags, and celebrating this successful rescue. Little wonder they are so excited; after all, the entire world is watching. Most of the world probably didn’t know where Chile is, let alone know anything about this remarkable country.

The rescue has given the people of Chile much to feel good about, and clearly they do. Of course they have much to be proud of anyway, but the rescue has given them a reason to hold a wonderful celebration, which I heard described as the “World’s biggest street party.” As the balloons rise, the champagne corks pop, and the streamers fly, our hearts celebrate with the people of Chile. Our congratulations, prayers of gratitude and good wishes join with theirs. Well done! Chile is definitely the good word of the day.

So party on Chile; you deserve it, and may the joy you feel this day last a long long time!
,
Posted by Carman

Seeds

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Let anyone with ears listen!" - Matthew 13:1-9

Jesus loved to teach using metaphors, which is why we remember his stories so well. They stay with us, and surface in our memories when we least expect them. We ponder them and perhaps even think about what they might mean in our lives. “Let anyone with ears listen!” Indeed!

The story of the sower (above) surfaced for me as I was out for my walk one morning last week. What is it that the sower sows? What is the seed that the sower distributes freely on the ground? The reason for your hope? Good cheer? A friendly greeting? A bit of happiness and optimism with which to start the day? It could be anything, couldn’t it? It could be any gift you have to share.

What do I have to share? Joy? Hope? Love? Peace? Good cheer? A friendly greeting? A bit of happiness and optimism with which to start the day? Perhaps it is time to scatter a few seeds.

I see a certain farmer getting into his tractor; he always seems to be so grumpy. I wave and call “Good morning.” He knows I saw him, so waves back but turns away. Hmmm…not very fertile ground there it seems. I walk on.

Soon I see another man sitting on his front porch. “Good morning,” I say. “Nice morning.” He appears to think that over since it is already hot, but then says, “Yes, but I’m hoping for a little rain.” I think he probably needs it.

Soon I am met by a lady walking her dog. Usually I am wary of dogs on the street, but this one looks friendly, and besides, I want to try out my seeds. “Good morning,” I say. “Out for a walk with your beautiful dog!” “Oh thank you,” she replies. “She is, but she is very friendly and just wants to be loved.” I stop to pat the dog and talk to her for a moment. The lady smiles appreciatively and then moves on, but both she and the dog seem to have a happy smile. Perhaps my seeds have finally found fertile ground.

As we go throughout our day, lets look for chances to plant some good seeds today, okay?

Posted by Carman

Seasons

It has often been noted that funerals seem to come in bunches. There are those who insist that such occasions come in threes, so if you learn that one acquaintance has died, you will hear of two more in short order. I don’t know if there has ever been a scientific study done on such folk wisdom, but often it does seem that we attend funerals in groups.

This morning I have three reasons for thinking about funerals. First, this week I have heard of the death of two elderly and respected members of our church community; Gladys Long in Toronto and Cliff Dow in Durham. Yesterday I attended the funeral for Cliff. A memorial service for Gladys will be held later, probably in August.

Second, today I will travel to Erie Beach to be with the folks gathered there for a reunion. “It would be good if you could come,” the director told me some weeks ago. “Our community has been hit hard this year by deaths, and I think the reunion will be difficult for some.”

Third, in my email this morning came a writing by a friend, Ethel Wicksey, in tribute to her step-daughter, Roberta, who passed away less than a year ago. Both Ethel’s love for Roberta and her sorrow are clearly audible in the writing.

The writer of Ecclesiastes takes a philosophical approach to the matter of death.

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a
time to be born, and a time to die… Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

In truth, the wisdom teacher/author of Ecclesiastes is not strictly writing about death but, rather, reflecting on the nature of life and the seasonal nature of our existence. More than anything else, this writing is really about work. The poem reminds us that there are seasons for everything, including planting and harvesting, and those are beyond our control. These seasons are obvious as one drives through the countryside right now, with the wheat fields golden with their bounty and farmers busy with their harvest. Since people cannot determine the times, the author says,

There is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves
as long as they live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and
drink and take pleasure in all their toil. – Ecclesiastes 3:12,13

It seems to me, good advice. Since none of us can know what the day will bring, why not accept God’s gift of this day, and find joy in it? May you know the joy of your blessings today.

Posted by Carman

Joy

This morning, joy is a question. I hope you will offer your thoughts on it. What gives you joy? Do you do anything for joy? And what do you do in joy?

Is joy the same as pleasure? Is it the same as fun? If not, what is the relationship between joy and fun?

The Book of Mormon claims that ‘people are that they might have joy’, [2 Ne 1:115 paraphrased] positing an answer to the age old question, ‘What is the purpose of life?’

Do you have joy in your life? Do you have it now? If not now, when did you? When do you expect to have joy again? What circumstances do you expect will lead to your joy?

There is an expression that appears to be inversely related to this question of joy, and that is, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ It is an expression whose truth I fear I am all too familiar with.

So let’s have an open and honest conversation. You can reply anonymously if you need to. Do you have joy in your life? If so, where do you find it? If not, what do you think you could do to change that situation?

And your answer is...?

Posted by Carman

Place

Driving home from Saturday’s Camp Staff Training workshop, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that 40 people showed up, and no one complained about spending a spring day in a workshop instead of outside doing whatever. Furthermore, everyone who was there seemed to be excited about the coming camping season, and about being on staff for their various camps. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. In fact, some people came planning to be on staff for one camp and left having volunteered for more!

The age range of participants at the workshop ran from approximately 18 to 75, with the majority being in their 20s and perhaps early 30s. Why were they here, and why so eager to be part of this event? I did not ask anyone those questions, but I have talked with enough of them to have a pretty good guess at the answer.

At least for the young adults who were present, the answer has something to do with having found a place where they fit in. In this camping community, people are accepted and welcomed. There is no formality, no expectations about style of dress, and no questions asked. Returning staff are genuinely glad to see each other, and new staff members are warmly received. Nobody questions anyone else’s sincerity or value to the community. Each member is simply accepted.

The camping community is less about location than it is about place. Saturday, we were in Stratford, but all of our camps will happen elsewhere. Yet each person there seemed to feel at home. They had found their place; a place where they are accepted, feel at home, and belong.

What a wonderful community this is. Six reunions, four camps and numerous retreats are well along in the planning process. The staff are excited and ready to share the peace of Jesus Christ with others. In fact, they can hardly wait!

During a breakout session toward the end of the day, someone expressed that camp is a place where lives are touched and transformed by a “brush with the Spirit.” May the Good Spirit brush many in the camping community this summer, and may they also discover that they have found their place.

Posted by Carman

Easter

The Easter season has begun. The Lenten season, with its time of fasting, prayer and penance, is finished, and now we move into Easter. In contrast to Lent, Easter is a time of wonder, celebration, and feasting as we contemplate new life. It is, or should be, the most joyous time of the year.

Sometimes we mistakenly think of Easter as “Easter Sunday,” or perhaps “Easter Week,” running from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; then it is over! According to the Liturgical calendar, that is not correct. The Easter season does not conclude until Pentecost, which in 2010 falls on May 30. Following that, the Christian liturgical calendar moves back into what is commonly referred to as “ordinary time.”

Ordinary time; it sounds so…ordinary! How wonderful that the Easter season continues. How sad if this season of rebirth, renewal, and resurrection were to be over so soon! How lovely to be able to enjoy the warming of the earth, the return of the summer birds, the emerging of spring flowers, and the budding of trees, and consider all of that as part of this wonderful, sacred season.

May your life be graced with the Spirit of Easter today, and tomorrow, and the day after. May you, like Mary Magdalene, experience the joy and wonder of resurrection, and the amazement and sure knowledge that the Holy knows you personally and calls you by your name. If we experienced that kind of wonder every day, I doubt that time would ever be ordinary again!

Happy Easter everyone.

Posted by Carman

The Season

The season is coming. Can you hear the buzz?

That sound has been growing in volume and intensity for over a month now. You can hear and see it on Facebook, on websites, in emails, and in congregations.

The camping season is coming. Camp and reunion directors are busy planning their events and recruiting their staff. They are getting excited!

Camp ground boards are sending out email reminders of campground clean-up days and their opening events.

The Ziontario board is planning and fund-raising for the brand new swimming pool.

McGowan’s Lake is getting set to build a new shower house with (wonder of wonders) flush toilets!

Erie Beach is getting set to dispose of facilities that have outlived their purposes.

The Noronto Board will meet one more time before the season begins to make sure they are ready.

The new Camping Commission is working diligently to be ready for their first Camp Staff Training day on May 1.

We are in the final stages of firming up the 2010 lifeguard team.

The buzz is definitely growing, and in exactly 50 days the season will begin.

The season is definitely coming. Can you hear the buzz?

Posted by Carman

Free

Once, while visiting an art show on the Plaza in Kansas City, I saw a picture of a happy little girl who appeared to be from Haiti or somewhere tropical. She was standing outside her brightly coloured house in what was clearly not a wealthy neighbourhood. The caption below the picture said, “Don’t know, don’t care, and it doesn’t matter!” How I love that little girl! How I wish I could be so free!

We should be that free, you know. Most of the things we worry about don’t really matter at all, but here we go, wandering around with serious expressions, carrying the weight of a whole lot of artificial concerns on (or in) our heads. Don’t you find it odd, when you walk down the street in some of the wealthiest countries on the planet, that people don’t smile? We have all these worries. We have all these things, so we have to worry that somebody might steal them. We have to pay insurance in case our “things” get lost, stolen, or damaged, but then we are upset with the high cost of insurance! Seems like there is a pretty simple solution to all this, don’t you think?

So today, if you find yourself frowning or worrying about something you probably can’t control anyway, try saying to yourself, “Don’t know, don’t care, and it doesn’t matter!” You may need to say it a few times before you convince yourself that you really believe it, but it is wonderful therapy. And try wearing a smile today. Its good for your soul and will lift others as well. Be free!