PTSD

This post is a follow-up to Dreams and could well have been titled Dreams II, More Dreams or some such thing. It is also intended as a tribute to the caring young women and men who try to make the world a better place by serving in the Armed Forces. If you missed the original Dreams post and would like to go back and read it you can still do that by clicking on the highlighted and underlined word.

As an aside, I would like to say a special “thank you” to Steve and one anonymous writer who contributed dreams of their own to that conversation. Others shared privately by email. Your dreams can still be added to either post and are still welcome.

On Sunday morning, on my way to one of our numerous CEM congregations, I was driving at just the right time to catch hour two of Michael Enright’s The Sunday Edition on CBC Radio One. Included in this segment of the show was a short, radio documentary on a young Canadian man who enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the ripe old age of Seventeen. You can listen to the podcast of Jacob Davis Mendelow’s fascinating and enlightening story by clicking here.

For the benefit of those who cannot take time to listen to this podcast (you can also download it to your I-Pod or MP3 player for later), this is the story of a Canadian seventeen-year-old who wanted to make a difference. His goal was to make the world a better and safer place following the attacks of September 11, 2001. This report on Jake’s experience concerns his struggle after returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was both physically injured and “bouncing off the walls” with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He now makes a difference by sharing his experience with others, particularly health professionals whose task it is to work with returning veterans with PTSD.

I was particularly interested in this documentary because of a young man in my own extended family. In addition to being a husband and father, Robb is a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces. While he tells me he has never been formally diagnosed with PTSD, he had numerous (I am no longer sure if it was seven or ten) improvised explosive devices or IEDs blow up under his truck while serving in Afghanistan. At this point in his journey, about a year after returning from that tour, the net result is that he no longer sleeps, or at least no longer sleeps well or through the night. Will this be a life-long after-effect? Will other emotional scars yet emerge? We do not know.

The point of all this is a dream for our world when it is no longer necessary to send young women and men into situations where they will be subject to such soul-scarring and life-altering trauma and death. That is an audacious dream to be sure. It seems impossible and is certainly out of reach in my lifetime. Such a world would necessitate having found better ways to deal with many problems including poverty, aggression, and differences in ideology. Such a world is conceivable, however, and one we need to work toward. This is the ancient vision of prophets such as Ezekiel and Isaiah. It is a worthy dream.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. – Isaiah 2:4

Posted by Carman

Lillies

It will seem like an odd confession for a minister to make but because of the intense busyness of the past few months, Easter has been all but lost on me this year. I have not taken the usual and needed time to dwell in the season of Lent, and Holy week has felt like just another week with too much to get done. Suddenly it is Easter. What does it all mean, and where did that time go? I am sad.

Reflecting on this situation has me thinking about Easter lilies. I envision the lovely softness of the petals on those gorgeous, white, trumpet flowers set against a backdrop of deep green leaves. I remember their fragrance, so pervasive one would think there was one right here in my study. There is not, but I can almost smell its sweetness.

The Easter lily is the subject of many legends, most if not all of them apocryphal. Some stories claim that lilies sprang up where drops of the sweat of Christ fell in the Garden of Gethsemane. Others say that after three days the tomb of the Virgin Mary was found to be filled with nothing but white lilies. Even more ancient stories of lilies trace their roots back to tales of Roman mythology. The truth about how this flower came to be so closely associated with Easter is a mystery. In this, it presents a parallel to the mystery of Easter itself. I find it a fitting symbol; a quiet, lovely presence in the midst of chaos and disaster.

As I prepare these words it is only Maundy Thursday, but by the time you read them, Easter Sunday will have come and gone. The banks of Easter lilies from the front of the church will have been distributed to the elderly or others whom congregational leaders hope will be blessed by the flower’s presence. Each potted flower will have been given with a prayer that this gift may carry the message of love and thoughtfulness that the congregation intends. Let each plant carry the message of Easter hope to the heart of every recipient.

While we are on the subject of lilies, this year especially it is worth a moment to reflect on the origins of the flower we know in North American as the Easter lily. Prior to World War II, almost all lily bulbs were imported from Japan. A returning American World War I soldier named Louis Houghton is reported to have brought a suitcase full of lily bulbs home with him to the southern coast of Oregon in 1919. Houghton is said to have shared the bulbs with some of his friends who grew the flowers as a hobby, and they did well in that area where ideal conditions exist. When the supply of bulbs from Japan was cut off as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the rising price of the bulbs suddenly made the lily business a viable industry for these hobby growers, and a new industry was born. Today, virtually all North American Easter lilies originate from one of ten farms along the California – Oregon border.

The Easter lily represents many things to many people. The flower has come to symbolize purity, virtue, life and hope, the spiritual essence of Easter itself. For me, it is a symbol of mystery; a quiet presence of stillness and beauty in the midst of chaos and disaster. I look forward to gazing on its beauty on Easter Sunday morning, and this year, I will also remember the people who struggle with disaster in Japan. May they also be blessed with grace and hope in the midst of devastation and chaos.

Happy Easter.

Posted by Carman

Peace Prayer

There are so many places in the world experiencing turmoil today--natural disasters, political unrest, hunger, persecution, war, and on and on. It seemed appropriate to reprise this post from last year. The Peace Prayer is a tradition, but it is also a plea to remember the many needs around the globe. Praying is not the only thing we can do, but it is one thing. And it unites us as we send our thoughts beyond our own need, for a time. From February 2010, as we were looking ahead to World Conference:

Peace Prayer

Many congregations have established a "peace candle" tradition. Most have been lighting their candle and offering a prayer for peace every Sunday for years and years. It's one of the ways they stay connected to the Temple and the Daily Prayer for Peace that happens there every day at one o'clock, central time.

Corinth and Windsor come to mind. I've often been there and appreciated the prayers they offer as they turn attention to Lesotho or Qatar or Lebanon or India. (There are others I know. Send me a note if you're part of this group.)

If you haven't looked at this lately, check out the link to the World Church website here for resources you can incorporate into your worship experience. It might be a tradition you'd like to revive as we approach 2010 World Conference, or as we're thinking of our global brothers and sisters in community.

If you want an even greater connection, why not consider writing a prayer for peace. Daily prayers are created by people from around the church and used in the Temple service. If you or someone you know has this gift, send them to that same link for information about how to submit your prayer.

Be part of this global phenomenon, our church praying daily for peace in the world! And be sure to let us know when your prayer is accepted so we can put it into What's the Good Word.

Posted by Marion

Global

We’ve all heard that maxim: think globally; act locally! Then there’s the whole wonderful ideal of the world-wide church, the global family of God that we aspire to. We love stories and pictures shared in the Herald and on the facebook pages of our favourite world ministers.

But what does it mean when our media is loaded with the latest, most troubling images? What to do with whatever is happening in Egypt? Or how shall we deal with the political upheaval that’s been piled onto the terrible natural disaster and horror in Haiti? How do we respond to the corruption or revolution or authoritarian repression if we pay attention to our global news at all? These are tough questions.

Now what does it mean to “act locally”? Can any small Canadian congregation even address those huge global questions? Can’t we just ignore them and go about our own local business and leave distant news items for the “news junkies” or the “peaceniks”? Can’t we just turn off the news and turn our local attention to things that matter most to us? Next week’s priesthood meeting, or this year’s budget, or planning our coming anniversary or vacation Bible school? Isn’t there enough to deal with without worrying about what’s happening on the other side of the globe?

I read a story of a young woman who’d been post-congregational for years, who went to church on the Sunday after the 9-11 disaster. She thought she’d turn to the church in search of some way to make sense or find meaning in this unsettling event. When nothing was mentioned at all, either by the minister in his remarks or in any prayer or other part of the service, she left and has never returned to church again!

Friends sometimes forward “flaming” e-mails, asking for a suggestion about how to react or respond to the person who has circulated a hateful message to them about a terrorist (usually Muslim) conspiracy citing current spectacular news as proof of their truth. It does matter how we think about global issues and news. And it is at church that we should be able to find some way of putting God’s meaning into our responses to such challenges, I believe.

Our World Church efforts at peace have led us to institute the Daily Prayer for Peace ( among other things) that many congregations implement. We have plenty of opportunity to learn from those prayers and the background shared. The pattern however also suggests a need for us to educate ourselves about those places and those issues and events. Don’t let yourself remain in ignorance. Find someone who knows! Invite a speaker, or take a class or join a discussion group. Being educated and informed is one of the best and first things we can do.

Consider what the practice of prayer can do to change and shape you and your congregation. If praying for our enemies is a powerful practice, imagine what might be accomplished if we get to know our brothers and sisters in the global community and truly pray for them. Put faces on the Haitian voter or the Egyptian protester or the Sri Lankan sex-slave. How now can your congregation address those issues?

Maybe all you can do is pray for them. If so, be sure to do that. But maybe there’s more. How will you find out and what will you do?

Posted by Marion

Virus

I have often been impressed with the way something very small can change everything. I am reminded of this at the moment because some tiny, microscopic virus has gotten into my lungs and laid me low for a few days. In an earlier period, I might have even become a statistic, but fortunately, in our day, there is an antidote and I hope to be well again within a few days. The point of this post, however, is not about my current unexpected period of enforced rest. It is about the ability of small things to bring about big changes.

Take for instance a smile. On the surface, it is little more than the sometimes involuntary twitch of a few small facial muscles. It costs the smiler nothing, takes almost no effort, and depending on their state of mind, the person smiling may even be unaware of it happening. Despite this, a smile can have a huge impact on people and situations. Used appropriately, it can release endorphins, defuse tensions, and even engender feelings of peace and good will.

The smile of a certain young Italian lady, Lisa Gherardini apparently so fascinated and inspired Leonardo de Vinci that it changed European portraiture forever. For 500 years, the world has been fascinated and intrigued with the smile of the Mona Lisa, unquestionably the most famous portrait of all time. Perhaps she is the source of the saying, “Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to.”

There are countless sayings inspired by a smile. Here are but a few.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown

Everyone smiles in the same language. ~Author Unknown

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. ~Lee Mildon

Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available. ~Jim Beggs

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. ~Mark Twain, Following the Equator

I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful. ~Author Unknown

A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa

A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it. ~Author Unknown

Peace begins with a smile. ~Mother Teresa

Keep smiling; it reassures your friends and confuses your enemies. ~Author Unknown

A smile is like a virus; it infects everyone. ~Me

By now, I hope this small post has helped bring a smile to your face today. If so, why not smile a lot? Can you think of an easier way to contribute to the cause of peace? In fact, may your smile "go viral" today, and infect all those around you. In fact, while we're at it, why not create a smile epidemic? After all, there is no known cure!

May you know you are blessed today, and smile! :)

Posted by Carman

Advantages!

Last Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking at the peace awards ceremony sponsored by the Corinth congregation of Community of Christ. I read the essays of the three students who received the awards, and listened to their thank you speeches. All three of the young women were confident and spoke well as they discussed their hopes and dreams for the future: university, career, diplomatic service, possibilities. Their poise and confidence showed through. In that context, I couldn’t help but wonder where life will take them.

I also thought about the advantages they have. I do not mean to suggest that life has always been easy for them; I do not know that, but some of their blessings are obvious. Each of them has a supportive family, good nutrition, excellent health care, and opportunities for education.

Exactly 100 years ago in 1910, my grandmother was a similarly bright eyed and capable young woman. (Some readers might remember her as Jennie Vance.) In 1910, she did not have the advantages of higher education. In fact, I do not actually know how far she got in school, because whenever I would ask her, she would get a rather quizzical look and say something about the “4th book” in reading. While I do not know what grade that would have been, she did learn to read, which she loved to do.

As one of the older children in a family of ten, when times were hard and food was not plentiful as was often the case, she would be pulled out of school to go keep house for some neighbour or relative that was having a baby or perhaps had a health crisis. There, for months at a time she would wash the clothes, clean the house, and cook the meals, just like an adult. While this was clearly child labor, these neighbours appeared to think they were doing her and her family a favour. While I cannot be certain, I do not know that she was ever paid for her work.

Finally, somewhere around the age of 15 or 16 (she would not tell me for sure), she married a boy she went to school with, and they began a life of their own on a farm not far from where they were raised. Life was not easy. They worked hard and endured many challenges, but they made the most of whatever blessings came their way.

As I reflect on the shining faces and bright prospects of the three award recipients in Corinth, I am reminded of the wonderful Dr. Seuss story, Oh, The Places You'll Go! At the same time, I cannot but wonder where similar advantages might have taken my grandmother, and thousands of bright young women and men of her generation.

The point of this reminiscing is this. Let's never take our advantages for granted. They are a remarkable blessing that countless others in our world still do not enjoy. Let's make the most of them, and seek to use them to make this world a better place, both for us and for others. May God bless our sincerest efforts.

Posted by Carman

Trade

I stand at the kitchen sink preparing fruit to go into my fruit bowl. It is the middle of May. I think of how, when I was a child, we did not have fresh fruit this time of year. I remember the baskets of apples stored in the cold room, and how by March they would be soft, withered, and waxy. By May, even those were merely a memory.

The little labels stuck to each piece of fruit in my hands tell a story and explain how we now can have such bounty totally out of season; oranges from California, apples from Chile, Pears from Argentina, bananas from Honduras, and a lovely mango from Mexico. Each fruit grew in a different country, yet each piece was warmed by the same sun that warms me. I picture hands, browned by that sun, reaching gently to pick this mango. Who is that person who blessed me with this produce? Did she or he stop to wonder where it was going and who might eat this fruit? Did s/he say a prayer of blessing for the eventual consumer, as I do for now for him or her?

Even though we have never met, the lives of people around the world are blessed by an interaction of trade. The people on the other end of that trade are in a distant land, and yet, we know them! We can picture their faces! We can see their children, and see their smiles. We can even know something of their hopes and dreams.

My mind turns to other lands where we, yes we Canadians, trade bullets instead of produce. I picture the hands that hold the rifles, and sun burnt faces behind those guns. I see their eyes, and the worry for their children that is visible there. I say a prayer for them too.

May the day soon come when we trade only in the produce of our lands, and not trade in death any more.

Posted by Carman

Tulips

Today marks the 65th Anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadian troops. That campaign has forged a bond of friendship between Canadians and the Dutch that endures to this day. As celebrations of remembrance happen across the Netherlands today, Canadian flags will be flown and aging Canadian veterans of the 1945 campaign will be honoured, and thanked. For most of them, it will be for the last time.

It may seem peculiar that this friendship runs so deep. After all, Canadian troops have served in peacekeeping roles in dozens of countries since WWII, yet no other such bond exists. It may be worth asking why.

Perhaps the answer lies in what is probably a footnote to the history of the war. Canadian troops fought their way into the Netherlands with the intent of driving out the Nazi troops. What quickly became apparent, however was that the people of the Netherlands were starving. They had no food. The focus of the campaign quickly changed from pushing out the Germans to feeding the Dutch, and food drops were organized for the benefit of the civilians.

After the war, the Dutch Royal Family thanked Canada by sending 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa. To this day every year the Dutch still send 20,000 bulbs, and our nation’s capital is resplendent in colour. This year the annual tulip festival in Ottawa is renamed as The 2010 Special 65th anniversary Liberation edition of the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Today, you will probably see Tulips blooming somewhere; it is that time of year. May we each pause to remember the legacy of this welcome flower of spring. Its colourful and beautiful bloom, however brief, represents a gift of gratitude from one country to another.

May grace and peace prevail in you today.

Posted by Carman

Music

There is something magical about music. Not only does it have the power to sooth the savage beast, but some believe it has the power to change the world. It certainly has the ability to change hearts and minds, and make the world better.

Last evening, I heard part of a radio documentary on the music and life of Elvis Presley. According to that broadcast, ‘the king’ often experienced periods of unhappiness, especially when faced with unfair criticism as all high profile people are. On such occasions he turned increasingly toward gospel music.

A member of his back-up band, the Jordanaires, talked about Presley’s recording of How Great Thou Art. He said that Elvis poured everything he had into that song, and at the end of it, he fell to one knee in the studio. His face was white with exertion, but there appeared a little smile on his face. He knew he had done something great musically and was once again at peace.

I could cite many examples of music creating change at both a personal and international level, but perhaps another day. Consider this my attempt at brevity.

Has music changed your world?

Posted by Carman

Peace Prayer

Many congregations have established a "peace candle" tradition. Most have been lighting their candle and offering a prayer for peace every Sunday for years and years. It's one of the ways they stay connected to the Temple and the Daily Prayer for Peace that happens there every day at one o'clock, central time.

Corinth and Windsor come to mind. I've often been there and appreciated the prayers they offer as they turn attention to Lesotho or Qatar or Lebanon or India. (There are others I know. Send me a note if you're part of this group.)

If you haven't looked at this lately, check out the link to the World Church website here for resources you can incorporate into your worship experience. It might be a tradition you'd like to revive as we approach 2010 World Conference, or as we're thinking of our global brothers and sisters in community.

If you want an even greater connection, why not consider writing a prayer for peace. Daily prayers are created by people from around the church and used in the Temple service. If you or someone you know has this gift, send them to that same link for information about how to submit your prayer.

Be part of this global phenomenon, our church praying daily for peace in the world! And be sure to let us know when your prayer is accepted so we can put it into What's the Good Word.

Posted by Marion

Truce

On impulse, I recently checked on a blog site I had not visited for a while. The site, entitled Flannel Christian, is published by a friend (his name is Christian) who only posts occasionally. When he does put something up, however, it is often thought provoking and worth reading.

The current post is about a peace event Christian is organizing to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Christmas Eve Truce of 1914. On that remarkable World War I night, German and British soldiers in the trenches of Belgium ceased hostilities in honor of Christmas. First the German soldiers decorated the trees with candles and began singing Caroles, most notably and appropriately Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops responded by singing caroles in English, and soon they were greeting each other in no-man's land, then exchanging little gifts of jam, chocolate, or whiskey. Before long, the young soldiers were actually playing football (soccer) together! It is a wonderful story.

Almost as wonderful is the plan to remember and celebrate that night 95 years later in Seattle Washington with a peace event. Someone is thinking! It is a great idea. I wish them every success and blessing. What is more, since “Effective Peacemaking Ministries” is one of our goals in Canada East Mission of Community of Christ, perhaps it is an idea someone should here should take note of. Maybe this is an event we should emulate on the 100th anniversary. Any interested volunteers or congregations out there?

You can read Christian’s blog at http://flannel-christian.blogspot.com/.

For more information on the Truce itself, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce or try googling “Christmas Eve Truce 1914”.

Stories and songs about this amazing night can also be found on YouTube.

Stille Nacht, Heil’ge Nacht!