The Rt. Rev'd Dr. Stephen Andrews presided at Confirmation on December 15. ?This is a culmination of regular classes planned by Beth Hewson. The worship service brought out the Advent themes of hope and joy.
Christmas Pageant
The Youth group presented a humorous and poignant dramatic production on December 8. Thanks to Tammy Martel and Chris Wilson for their direction. As you can see, some of the less youthful were conscripted as well.
The Potter and the Clay
As I read the Jeremiah reading to prepare for next Sunday, I was reminded that being a pot in the process of being shaped on the wheel is not always comfortable!
I am also keenly aware that there are critical moments in the shaping of a pot- moments that determine whether the pot will be something beautiful and useful, or something destined to be broken down and completely reshaped or even discarded. If the clay resists shaping, or gets off center or is fatally flawed, the potter must take action or the pot will never fulfil the purpose the potter has for it.
God reminds the people of Israel that He is the potter, and they are the clay and if they resist the gentle and steady pressure of his hands, he will take firmer action or even seek out another piece of clay. This is a sobering thought! And it behooves us to pray deeply and think seriously as we approach a series of critical moments in the shaping of our life together as a congregation.
But there is good news, very good news as well. God uses the image of clay, because clay is so malleable and in that, it is a lovely metaphor for the tension that exists between God's soveriegnty and our free will. We may get off centre from time to time, but if we stay soft in the potter's hands, he can reshape and reform us and while the end shape may be different from the one He first planned, it can still be useful and beautiful in his service.
One commentator touched my heart as he remarked on this image of the potter and the clay. It is a dirty and demanding craft, he observed (and if you have ever seen a potter's workshop you will know the truth of that!) and in the process, the hands and arms of the potter become caked in the clay. As the wheel spins and spins, it becomes difficult to see where the hands of the potter end and the pot begins. The potter is up to his elbows in the clay he is shaping - and in Jesus, God was "up to his elbows" in the muck of the clay he created, reshaping it, remaking it and forming it from a lump of muck into something both beautiful and purposeful. It was, and is, dirty, sweaty and sometimes heartbreaking work, but the potter persists for he cannot help himself. He IS love and for love of what he is creating, for love of his craft and for love of what is and will be, he shapes and forms and pounds and guides the clay in his callused hands. He pumps the wheel and it turns and turns,ever more quickly until the hands of the potter and the church he is creating meld into one.
May we be willing to be shaped!
Art in the Church
I am enjoying having a little reading time while I am on holiday. I found this article and the link it points to very challenging.
http://www.christianity.com/christian-life/art-and-culture/how-to-discourage-an-artist.html
What are your thoughts?
Rev. Marie (who is LOVING being with her grandchildren)
Getting to Know Our Archbishop of Canterbury
Each Sunday we pray for "Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury" but just who is it we are praying for?
As far as his position goes, he is not an "Anglican Pope" but rather like the oldest brother in the family of Bishops. Check in with our Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation of Faith this fall to learn a little more about why this particular position is so important in the life of the Worldwide Anglican Church.
Steve Kitzul has forwarded this link to us
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10176190/Archbishop-Justin-Welby-I-was-embarrassed.-It-was-like-getting-measles.html
It records a lovely conversation with Archbishop Canterbury about how he came to faith and how he now lives out his relationship with Christ. I found it delightful - and found myself wishing I could sit down with him and have a up of coffee.
CHeck it out - it will be 5 minutes well spent!
Rev. Marie
Barb and Dale Make the News
Check out a lovely article about our Barb Smith and Dale Norton at http://www.nugget.ca/2013/07/15/blind-gardener-continues-tradition
What a great testimony to living fully despite real challenges.
Well done, Dale and Barb!
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10
Hello
If you were to try and figure out which of the parables was the best known,, I suspect you would find a toss up between this week's gospel and the Prodigal Son story. The term "Good Samaritan" is familiar to lots of folks who wouldn't know it came from the Bible originally.
The problem is that when we know something quite well - we find it hard to actually "hear" what the story is saying.
I like what theologian David Lose has to say. ...continue reading "The Good Samaritan"
It’s a Garden Party
Summer is finally here - and with it an invitation to enjoy the breezes by the lake at a Garden Party at our home. I hope you will come and join us. Everyone is welcome.
Here are the details:
When - Wednesday July 3, 2013 from 2 to 3:30 ( feel free to "come and go" as you have time)
Where - 9 Birch Street, North Bay
Directions- Take Lakeshore Drive south through town to Premier Road and turn right onto Premier. (There is a car wash at the corner) Immediately to your right there is a beach access. You can turn in there and enter the property from the back ( no stairs that way for those with mobility challenges). Our yard is the third on the left and has a white fence all around it. If you want to come in from the front, go to the first street on your right. That is Birch Street. Turn right and we are the third house on the right - big cedar bushes in front.
If it rains, we'll just be cozy inside!
I hope we'll see you there!
Rev. Marie
A Good “Listen”
CBC's Tapestry has a great piece on the history and enduring beauty of the King James Version of the Bible. If you've ever wondered why it is still considered a "gold standard" for many - or why it just sounds so lovely, you will find some interesting comments in this presentation. It is lively and informative - just click on this link
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/ID/ID/2387835751/
and enjoy!
Rev. Marie
Camp Sunday
This Sunday is a special day - Camp Sunday!!!
There will be one service at 10 am followed by hotdogs and goodies outside. We hope to have a "campfire" as well and to tell some camp stories - so come prepared to share your most fun memories. We want to celebrate our Camp Temiskaming camp and to help some of our kids get to camp ( there will be a basket for donations!)
If you have ideas or want to help out with this, contact Joyce Edwards at the address in the "to" bar.
See you there! Come casual
Rev. Marie