Toilet Paper

It was not because it was American Thanksgiving yesterday that I started thinking about this, although it is something to be thankful for, and I am.  Nor is it the fact that today is so called Black Friday and several million people are out frantically shopping for great bargains on things they mostly don't really need, (Just saying).  This reflection started simply because the toilet paper roll was empty. I opened the cupboard to get some more and there they were, several rolls all lined up just waiting until they were needed.

 At the risk of sounding really, really, really old, when I was a child we did not have toilet paper.  We didn't have a bathroom for that matter.  What we had was a well ventilated outhouse, especially in the wintertime!  I know some of you will have similar memories, while others are probably appalled.  To my childhood mind, the lack of indoor plumbing and toilet paper did not make us poor since all our neighbours had the same.  My grandmother told us that when she was a child they had to go to the bush!  We really had nothing to complain about. Of course toilet paper was not unknown to us, but it was beyond our family budget.  Instead we had last year's Eaton's or Simpson's catalogue.  It was the 1950s form of recycling paper I guess.

At S.S. # 2 Eastnor school, toilet paper was provided but students were always cautioned to use it sparingly.  I can still here the teacher saying to use "just one square!"  We didn't.

In preparation for a trip to Honduras for a World Accord build last January, one of the things we were told to take with us was toilet paper.  In that not-so-far-away part of the world, T-paper is still a luxury item for many people and not readily available, so we should bring our own.  We did.

How many people in our world today still do not have toilet paper, I wonder?  How many people use an old catalogue or newspaper, or magazine or whatever they can find?  Probably millions.  How many people must go beyond the treeline to relieve themselves, then use leaves or long grass? 

Some readers may find this a weird post and wonder what on earth I was thinking, but I am grateful for a heated, indoor washroom with hot and cold running water and flush toilets, especially on nights like tonight when there is a cold wind blowing with snow in the air,.  And I am thankful for a cupboard well stocked with toilet paper.  I do not want to forget the disparity in which we live or take this simple item for granted. 

Do we realize the myriad ways in which we are fortunate? 

Posted by Carman

Small Church (School)

The following link leads to an interesting article from Leading Ideas on the strengths and benefits of small congregations and their often smaller church school.  In fact, the concept draws on the old "one-room (church) school".  Since I attended such a school and Sunday school for the first eight years of my academic learning, this idea resonates with me.  (In fact, the picture above looks remarkably similar to both S. S. # 2 Eastnor School, and the Stokes Bay church!)

What is your Sunday school up to these days?  Are you seeing and maximizing the benefits of smaller, more close knit relationships between students and teachers?

Enjoy The One Room (Church) School House.

Carman

TLC

Last Sunday evening, an eclectic group of people gathered at the TLC Bistro and Café, 41 Maple Ave. in downtown Barrie. The Café was open for business. When we entered, one large table was celebrating someone’s birthday, while others came to have a quiet meal. After a time, Larry, the proprietor, went to the stage area, took up his guitar and sang a couple of his favorite Neil Young songs. Meanwhile people continued to gather.

After a time, Pastor Matthew Swain took the microphone and welcomed everyone, announcing that it was time for “Steam” to begin. Over the next two hours, many people shared their talents and passion for God in celebration that I could only describe as worship. Several musicians had come prepared to play their own original music; some on guitar, one young lady on the keyboard, then a man using guitar and a harmonica. Two people shared a scripture and lead a discussion about it. Others shared a prayer, and a couple of people bore testimony of powerful experiences with the Divine.

Of the twenty plus people who stayed for the evening, about 1/3 were members of Community of Christ, the sponsoring church. The rest were welcome guests including this time, all of the musicians. That mix is not what the church is used to in Canada, but then again, neither is Steam.

As the evening progressed, I was struck by the fact that the one thing that everyone had in common, the thing that bound us together for this one evening, was the love each one had for God. It came out especially in the music as the singers poured their devotion into their songs. It was evident in the testimonies and prayers. There was no division. It was remarkable, and I thought of Jesus saying In Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

At one point, I gave voice to some musing that had rolled across my mind; “I wonder if Jesus ever spent an evening like this in a café with a group of musicians and disciples,” to which someone replied, “I think he probably did.” It would be just like him, wouldn't it?

One thing I know for certain is that the presence of the Holy Spirit was with us this Sunday night, sharing in the theme and Spirit of Love. As Larry would affirm at the end of the evening, “This was good tonight. Every song, every thing, meant something.” It was the perfect summary of an evening of tender loving care at the TLC café.

Posted by Carman

Expectations

I’ve shared before that this summer I am the one, for the most part, “holding the fort” here at the CEM office. Others have had the reunion and camp assignments. Several have had opportunities to vacation. One of them has even had the very special occasion to take a honeymoon! But because I’m not doing an extended vacation this year (at least not before November) I’m the one taking many of your calls and responding to your emailed questions.

It has occurred to me just how much we all pay attention to expectations. How many of the questions that come to me, either directly or as next-best-alternative in someone else’s absence, have to do with “what is expected of me?”

What are the expectations for persons being ordained? What is expected of me now that I have this or that new title? What do you need me to do if I accept this job? What is the likely response if I send out this announcement or that invitation or the other notice? What will be the expectations if we choose this course of action or if we decide to stop offering this service? I’ve been invited to speak; what are they expecting from me?

The list goes on and on. And here I sit as arbiter of expectations! (Who would have expected such a thing?)

All of these questions are legitimate; I don’t mind answering them one tiny bit. I’m happy to give the answers when I have them; or I’ll check with a higher authority if I need to. But very often, I find, the questioner really needs someone to let them know that what they’re planning to do is OK and that no one will be hurt or offended or upset if they happen to be wrong. Even if they’re not breaking any rule or commandment or going against policy or decree, they need to check the expectations around what they’re considering.

Sometimes there is a policy or a rule or a precedent that I can clarify or recall for them. Very often the traditions are quite local and while someone may not expect a “mere member” to offer the prayer, or even the sermon, there is no proscription against it. I am often reminded of the big, centre chair in my home congregation, since closed, and how we children would sometimes sneak in to the sanctuary, perhaps during potluck cleanup time and sit on it. Believe me, we knew for sure that we were not allowed to sit in that chair until we were grown and ordained to some very high office! I waited fifty years to sit there legitimately.

Most of the time we can consider the rules we know by heart:
“the mission of Jesus Christ is what matters most for the journey ahead.” (Section 164)

And this: “do justice, and... love kindness, and ... walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

If you’re living those expectations then all I can offer you is my blessing.

Posted by Marion

Happy New Year

Today, Saturday, is New Year's Day; the first day of 2011. How is that possible? Wasn’t it just a year or two ago that we rang in the new millennium? Remember watching television as, hour after hour, the new year rolled in around the globe? How is it possible that so much fireworks and celebration all around the planet was eleven years ago? Did the calendar skip a few years when I wasn’t looking? How did it get to be the beginning of 2010 so fast, let alone the end? Where are the years going? What’s the rush? My guess is that you don’t have any more answers to those questions than I do. All we can do is wonder, but perhaps I had better pay a little more attention in the year ahead!

One of the cleverest sayings about New Year’s I have come across is the following.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Although it has little to do with optimism or pessimism, there is some truth to that expression.

Each new year does bring changes. Generally we can’t see the changes looking forward. It is only when we look back that we can recognize what a difference a year has made. In general terms, every new year begins with optimism; a fresh start, so to speak. Life will be better, we’ll be better. We’ll enjoy life more, lose weight/gain weight, save more money, etc. But it is when we look back that we can see what changes actually happened. Sometimes the differences are happy ones: perhaps you got married, had a child, got a new house or a new job. Sometimes the changes are sadder: someone close to us died, there was a divorce or other disappointment. As a result, sometimes we approach the New Year filled with optimism for continued good fortune, and sometimes it is with the hope that next year may be better.

Whatever 2010 has brought to you, our wish for you is that 2011 will be filled with love, grace, and full recognition of God’s enduring presence in the midst of whatever life may bring. May you be blessed with a community that knows your name and walks with you no matter what comes your way. And may you also know yourself a part of such a community for others. May peace be yours in the coming days.

Happy New Year from Carman, Marion, and the entire team at Canada East Mission of Community of Christ.

Soup

I have spent the last several days trying to avoid a cold. I’m faithfully doing all the right things—plenty of fluids, as much rest as my cough will allow, keeping sugar intake low, extra amounts of my chosen vitamins and immunity-boosters. I’ve also been careful to wash hands and not to breathe directly on people who insist on hugging me. If you’re one of those people from Saturday’s conference day, you might want to pop some extra vitamin C (or oil of oregano, or zinc something-or-other… or any of the other favourites recommended by the several caring people who noticed my unfortunate condition.

Some of you know I’m also in the midst of moving house, with all the inherent annoyances, frustrations and irritations associated with that process. (As an aside: it’s going well. I’m finding lots to like about the new place and plan to be very comfy there for a long time to come.)

I am enjoying unpacking the boxes I so carefully packed weeks ago, in order to declutter my house for selling. It is lovely to have my beloved stuff back again. It seems a very long time that I haven’t seen this elephant, or that painting, or these lovely jars and tea pots and sugar bowls. I do find my special things give me comfort and security as I’m settling in to the new place. Oh yes, there are still boxes to unload, shelves to erect and books to arrange on them. Books also give joy, just by being there!

Now, for the “good word” I announced. My cupboard is bare and I must fill it one of these days. But for today I have a need for soup! What is there about it that soothes and gives comfort? I believe there is even research to support this notion. (Chicken soup is referred to as “Jewish penicillin.”)

So you may think of me in my cozy chair, with my purring cat. You may send up a prayer for my good health. And I shall eat some soup and have a nap and see you all tomorrow.

Posted by Marion