A Solemn Day & the Hope of Our Children

On Sunday morning we sat in church with our two Trenton grandkids, an opportunity afforded by being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Even though we were all wearing masks it was good to be in physical proximty after months of looking across the sanctuary and waving. We were all in our orange tee-shirts because the congregation was anticipating Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is today.

We plan to attend an event downtown in Belleville today wearing our shirts and they will go to school wearing theirs. We are impressed that between home and school both of them, age six and eight, have a better grasp of respect for Indigenous culture than we did perhaps into our twenties. We were born in the mid-1950's so we played Cowboys and Indians with our childhood friends, always assuming that Indians were the "bad guys." The TV shows and movies we watched portrayed Indigenous people as a menacing threat and of course Indians were usually played by white actors in makeup. One of the exceptions was Canadian Mohawk Jay Silverheels who played Tonto in The Lone Ranger. 

As we solemnly remember the deaths of Indigenous children who died while at Residential Schools, as well as all  those who were traumatized by the experience, we can look to children in Canada from all backgrounds as our hope for a time when the term Truth and Reconciliation will be realized. 

                                                Lunch Box for sale in Algonquin Park during the 1960's

It's important to realize that the first 12 of the 94 Truth and Reconcilation Commission recommendations address child welfare and education. Murray Sinclair, former judge, senator, and head of the Commission suggests, rightly I think, that reconcilation won't occur in his lifetime or ours but may happen if words become action. Even as I feel a degree of shame for the legacy of our United Church my grandchildren give me hope for "all my relations."

Please read the apology of the United Church for Residential Schools from 1998 which was the second, following the 1986 general apology to Indigenous peoples: 

To former students of United Church Indian Residential Schools, and to their families and communities:

From the deepest reaches of your memories, you have shared with us your stories of suffering from our church’s involvement in the operation of Indian Residential Schools. You have shared the personal and historic pain that you still bear, and you have been vulnerable yet again. You have also shared with us your strength and wisdom born of the life-giving dignity of your communities and traditions and your stories of survival. In response to our church’s commitment to repentance, 

I spoke these words of apology on behalf of the General Council Executive on Tuesday, October 27, 1998: “As Moderator of The United Church of Canada, I wish to speak the words that many people have wanted to hear for a very long time. On behalf of The United Church of Canada, I apologize for the pain and suffering that our church’s involvement in the Indian Residential School system has caused. 

We are aware of some of the damage that this cruel and ill-conceived system of assimilation has perpetrated on Canada’s First Nations peoples. For this we are truly and most humbly sorry.

 “To those individuals who were physically, sexually, and mentally abused as students of the Indian Residential Schools in which The United Church of Canada was involved, I offer you our most sincere apology. You did nothing wrong. You were and are the victims of evil acts that cannot under any circumstances be justified or excused. 

“We know that many within our church will still not understand why each of us must bear the scar, the blame for this horrendous period in Canadian history. But the truth is, we are the bearers of many blessings from our ancestors, and therefore, we must also bear their burdens

.” Our burdens include dishonouring the depths of the struggles of First Nations peoples and the richness of your gifts. We seek God’s forgiveness and healing grace as we take steps toward building respectful, compassionate, and loving relationships with First Nations peoples. 

We are in the midst of a long and painful journey as we reflect on the cries that we did not or would not hear, and how we have behaved as a church. As we travel this difficult road of repentance, reconciliation, and healing, we commit ourselves to work toward ensuring that we will never again use our power as a church to hurt others with attitudes of racial and spiritual superiority. 

“We pray that you will hear the sincerity of our words today and that you will witness the living out of our apology in our actions in the future.” 

The Right Rev. Bill Phipps General Council Executive 1998 The United Church of Canada

Apologetic Words and Tangible Actions for Truth and Reconciliation

                                  Children's Shoe Memorial on the Steps of a Roman Catholic Church

"We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual," the statement added.

"We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day."

From the Apology by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 

 When we began to hear the news earlier this year about the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of Indigenous children there was shock and grief across the country. I was surprised that so many non-Indigenous people received the news about the horrors of Residential Schools as though this was a recent revelation but I've been part of the United Church my whole life and our denomination has attempted to address our own shameful involvement for nearly four decades. This has included apologies, a healing fund, reparations,.and active participation in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We stil have a long way to go. 

The spotlight quickly turned to the Roman Catholic church and I was disgusted, frankly, by what I can only describe as the "weasel words" of some officials to deflect responsibility, particularly in the areas of financial compensation, jursidiction, and a formal apology. 

This past week the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops officially apologized for their role in the residential school system for the first time, after refusing to do so for years despite public pressure. This was followed by a commitment of 30 million dollars in reparations over five years. It shouldn't come as a shock that Indigenous leaders received this news with a degree of skepticism. The announcement of monetary compensation falls uinder the category of "talk is cheap" given that promises have been made in the past, only to be broken.

“The words of the apology speak to a commitment by the church to the healing path forward with First Nations and Indigenous peoples,” Archibald said in a statement. “Only time will tell if concrete actions will follow the words of contrition by the bishops.”

Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald 

I am cynical that these responses have come about because of withering criticism of an institution which has raised tens of millions for building projects in the past decade across the country while claiming that there just wasn't the money to honour commitments to Indigenous individuals and communities. 

The apology is an important step toward public contrition, but again, is this a reaction to a harsh spotlight and tomorrow's Day of Truth and Reconciliation? And will Pope Francis on behalf of the Roman Catholic church join with the bishops in this apology? 

I didn't intend to write several blog entries on the subjects of Orange Shirt and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this week, yet we need to do more than pay lip service to this new statutory holiday in Canada. And while I want to respect the intentions of Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, I too will be watching to see how words become the actions which will make a difference for those who suffered. 

                                                        Memorial on Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Awakening to Truth and Reconciliation

                                                   Trenton UC Sunday September 26, 2021

 I was impressed on Sunday morning by our congregation, Trenton United, as we prayerfully acknowledged the deaths of Indigenous children across this country during their incarceration in what was supposedly the protective environment of the Residential School system. We were invited to wear orange as a visible sign of our remembrance and at least half the congregation did so. After the service we gathered for a photo beneath the orange Every Child Matters flag. Kudos to Rev. Isaac,Dianne, the outreach committee, and congregation members, for honouring Indigenous peoples in this way. 

This Thursday is the actual Orange Shirt Day with September 30th as the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. During this week there will be many events across the country, including one at Market Square in Belleville at noon on Thursday. The CBC will broadcast a full day of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis programming and perspectives. https://www.cbc.ca/arts/how-to-watch-and-listen-to-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-on-cbc-1.6186017

                              "All My Relations" in Mohawk was added, & the colours of the four directions 

We are fortunate that as retirees we can listen and attend and learn. We will do so as those who are part of a grim settler legacy and as Christians whose denomination was part of systemic injustice regarding the Residential Schools. The United Church and its members can continue working toward truth and reconcilation, and do so humbly and repentance. 

We'll wear our orange tee-shirts again on Thursday and we have a flag up in recognition of this solemn week. This is a commitment which must be more than a brief show of solidarity. Justice and reciprocity for and with Indigenous peoples will require vigilance through generations. 

Read a summary of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission here:

https://ravenreads.org/blogs/news/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-work-summary

The Michaels Come Home

 

                                                   Michael Kovrig reunited with family at Pearson Airport 

Six weeks ago I wrote about the outrageous prison sentence given to Canadian Michael Spavor at the conclusion of his phoney trial in China. Everyone knew that neither of the Michaels -- Spavor and Kovrig -- were gulty of any crime but they were incarcerated in relatiation for the onging detainment of Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou. Her extradition hearing to the United States had stretched on for years and the Chinese were punishing Canada through these two men despite denying that this was the case.

Yesterday Meng struck a plea deal with the US, agreeing to pay a substantial fine for wrongdoing without admitting guilt -- figure that one out. Within hours the two Michaels were released from prison and on a plane back to Canada. None of the former diplomats and journalists following this situation anticipated this immediate release, assuming that the Chinese government would want to save face by holding both men for a time, perhaps months. 

Many Christian communities prayed for the Michaels in worship services, including Trenton United where we attend. Their circumstances certainly seemed bleak. In my August blog I mentioned that the apostle Paul, John the Baptist, and possibly Jesus on the night he was tried, were held in jails . We can only imagine how they felt and what their prayers were. I also offered: 

As helpless and outraged as we may feel, we can continue to pray for the release of both of the Michaels, held under terrible circumstances. We can also pray for another Canadian, Robert Schellenberg, who was sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling a few days ago. After originally receiving a lengthy prison sentence he was retried and given the death penalty, again in what is an act of retaliation. His crime doesn't warrant this draconian punishment. 

We can be thankful for the determined diplomcacy of the Canadian government and the effort of the United States to secure this outcome. There must have been a lot of behind-the-scenes work which didn't involve bluster and postering. 

We can continue to pray for Schellenberg, even as we celebrate the return to Canada of Spavor and Kovrig. Thank God they are home! 

Anticipating Orange Shirt Day in Worship

 

A Prayer for Orange Shirt Day*

Today we wear orange
to remember and honour all the Indigenous children who went to residential schools.

Today we wear orange and we pray
for the residential school and intergenerational survivors who are still struggling.

Today we wear orange and we are thankful
for those who speak the truth, and who work to shine a light on injustice.

Today we wear orange in the name of compassion and the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

Help us, God, to remember and act on this this every day.

Amen.

*This prayer was inspired by Honarine Scott’s Orange Shirt Day blog.

I wrote about Orange Shirt  Day and Sunday during the Summer, and lo and behold, it is today. I'll share with you my previous blog entry with the update that the shirts did arrive!

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

A couple of months ago those of us who are part of the Trenton United Church congregation were invited to purchase Every Child Matters tee-shirts in anticipation of Orange Shirt Sunday later that name in September.  This  Sunday is an act of solidarity with those who were taken from their families and essentially incarcerated and indoctrinated under the guise of Residential Schools. 

As is so often the case, dedicated congregation members had stepped up to organize this initiative and not long ago we received word that our shirts had arrived. The description on the United Church website is helpful: 

Why orange? Because of Phyllis Jack Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who went to St. Joseph Mission Residential School. On her first day of school, Phyllis wore an orange shirt that her grandmother had given her. It was immediately taken away, and that marked the beginning of Phyllis’s long separation from her family and community, a separation caused by actions of the church and federal government.

Orange Shirt Day is a time for us all to remember those events, their ongoing impact, and just as importantly the continuing strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples. 

The shirts are now available in lots of locations but this concerted effort by a group of concerned Christians is an important act of solidarity. And while Orange Shirt Day is actually September 30th  congregations will be commemorating the event a few days earlier on Sunday, September 26th. Trenton UC has also put up a flag on the building in anticipation of the events. 

If you are interested in participating here is the United Church link with important practical information and food for thought. 

https://united-church.ca/news/orange-shirt-day-2021

All Aboard for the Peace Train

 

                                                                          Yousef Stevens

Do you need a little pick-me-up in the midst of gloomy weather and a fair amount of gloomy news around the globe? How about a remake of a 50-year-old song by an folk-rock artist who was a hit-making machine until he disappeared from sight for years. I'll let Wikepedia tell some of the story about the song Peace Train:

Cat Stevens later converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusuf Islam, and reduced his public appearances, but during the Iraq War he commented on the song's renewed relevance, saying: "'Peace Train' is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions. There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again. As a member of humanity and as a Muslim, this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution." Yusuf Islam performed the song live at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert ceremony when Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh received the award.

Most religions uphold the importance of peace in our hearts, our relationships, and in our world which, sadly,  is often marked with suspicion and strife. Jesus was the embodiment of God's shalom, or peace, and his violent death was transformed into resurrection hope. 

My brother, Eric,  sent me the YouTube link to a collaborative effort by more than 25 musicians from 12 countries on a reissue of Peace Train. Have a listen and feel more hopeful about your day. https://youtu.be/0QpjR6-Uuks

Proof of Vaccination for Congregations?

This week the local YMCA began checking on the vaccine status members as required by the province of Ontario. I had registered a couple of weeks ago so everything went smoothly. I have toiled away at the Y for periods beginning last Fall when there were no vaccines, so I haven't been overly concerned, but there is a degree of reassurance in knowing that everyone around me is double-vaxxed. It certainly hasn't been busy at the gym during the past 18 months. 

There has been some discussion as to whether communities of faith should have been included in the list of institutions and businesses requiring proof of double vaccination. I feel that as long as congregants follow careful protocols it isn't necessary to require proof of vaccination, although there has been some discussion on the subject within our United Church Region.

Broadview Magazine, the United Church publication, has offered a worthwhile article on how the United Church is proceeding, with interviews from across the country. The UCC as a denomination won't be requiring proof of vaccination and the observations of Rev. Tricia Gerhard make a lot of sense to me:

 Rev. Tricia Gerhard, minister at Sunset United in Regina, is chair of the executive council for Living Skies Region and former member of an ecumenical Saskatchewan COVID-19 advisory group. She is fully vaccinated and encourages people to follow suit, but says “mandatory vaccines make sense health and science-wise, but I am not sure they make sense pastorally.”

“Once we start segregating our communities of faith into vaccinated and unvaccinated, we deepen the grief and trauma that already exists in our communities because of the pandemic – it becomes another way of making worship and community support unreachable.”

Here is the link to the Broadview article https://broadview.org/united-church-vaccine-passport/

The Legacy of Henri Nouwen

 Thirty years ago I was a participant at one of the first Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction cohorts. At the time I wa in my thirties, father to three young children, and lead minister of a very active downtown congregation with lots of administrative duties. I also yearned for the contemplative life for myself as a follower of Jesus, and wanted to support those members of my flock who were seeking the inner way. 

I suppose it was a bit crazy to take on the demands of a rigorous program which included two residential stints but I made the commitment. We had a number of excellent presenters including a quiet spiritual superstar of that time, the late Dutch Catholic priest, Henri Nouwen. It seemed that everyone was reading his book The Wounded Healer and another book The Return of the Prodigal Son also became a bestseller. Nouwen left university teaching at Harvard and Yale as well as a high profile speaking circuit to live in a L"Arche community just north of Toronto. At Daybreak he came to a sense of self-acceptance and spiritual peace amidst those who are often at the margins of society because of their cognitve and physical challenges.He continued to write prolifically while there. 

Nouwen spent part of a day with our Jubilee group and at lunch I noticed that he was sitting alone. I asked to join him and we chatted about my desire to stay focussed in Christ despite the often overwhelming realities of that stage of life. I honestly don't recall much of our conversation but I was reassured by his kindness and willingness to listen. 

Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of  Henri's untimely death at the age of 64 due to a heart attack. After decades away from home he happened to be on the way to Russia to create a documentary about Rembrandt's painting The Return of the Prodigal Son and had stopped in the Netherlands to be with family. He is buried near Daybreak in Richmond Hill. He was a gift to the world. 

Notre Dame Rising From the Ashes

 

The encompassing fire which nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral two and half years ago closed an 850-year-old place of worship and a tourist destination for 13 million visitors each year. Last week it was announced that the massive edifice which had been on the brink of collapse has been stabilized and the actual work of restoration can begin. The French government wants the work to be completed by the time France hosts the Olympics in 2024 but this may be overly ambitious. 

                                                   Notre Dame Interior Scaffolding 

I have such mixed feelings about this effort even though I've been in Notre Dames several times and it is an architectural wonder. About 850 million euros, or 1,3 billion Canadian dollars have been pledged for the restoration and more donations are being solicited. Does this make sense in the midst of the many pressing needs on Earth, including saving the planet.? The  cutting of a thousand of mature oaks for new beams makes me queasy. 

 What does the Jesus who taught on hillsides and wasn't kindly disposed to religious edifces think about this? 

Of course my undergraduate degree was in art history so despite my misgivings I'll probably celebrate the eventual reopening. I never promised to be logically consistent!

The Lipstick on a Pig Election?

 

Do we declare this a truly Canadian election where nothing much changed and all party leaders are putting lipstick on a pig this morning, metaphorically speaking? We should be disgusted that hundreds of millions of dollars were spent for such an inconclusive outcome, money which could have bolstered social programs which need funding. I'm exasperated, as I'm sure many others are. Perhaps Canadians of every stripe are united in their sense that this is an unsatisfactory outcome.

Here it is though. I'm grateful that I couild vote in a democracy and that even if the other major party had won we would still have had a government which supported healthcare for all, freedom of reproductive choice, and even that climate change urgently needs to be addressed. The government which held on to power still says that it cares about Indigenous issues and supports welcoming refugees. 

We'll see what happens on other issues which are important to me as a Christian who desires an inclusive society. 

"Dios te Bendiga" in Bolivia

 

In the early morning light of this day our neice and her husband were dropped at Toronto's Pearson Airport for a looonnnggg flight to Bolivia, in South America. This ain't a tourist trip. They will be living and working in the capital, La Paz, for three years. Both will be employed by the Mennonite Central Committee which is strengthening partnerships with local agencies in various areas of social concern. 

The MCC is an impressive agency which often responds to situations of crisis. When the tornado ripped through Barrie more than 30 years ago they arrived that same weekend providing practical assistance. MCC ran the Ten Thousand Villages stores in North America with the mission of creating opportunities in developing countries to earn income in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair trading relationships.

The historical, colonial models of missionary work for denominations has largely ended as the emphasis is now on reciprocity and mutual respect. While they are still a Christian presence in many places,  there is a different understanding of the profound meaning of other religions and the wisdom of indigenous cultures. 

There will be many adjustments for the two of them in their new roles, including developing fluency in Spanish. La Paz is the highest capital in the world, at 3,650 metres or nearly 12,000 feet. They will also need to relearn how to breathe!

We with them Godspeed and "dios te bendiga."

Faithfully Raising the Floor --With GLI

 

This morning we headed out of town early so we weren't part of the gathered faith community of Trenton United Church. We did have something of a religious experience with two UCC ministers though. One was the Rev. Isaac Mundy of Trention UC and the other was the Rev. Cathy Russell-Duggan of Bloomfield UC. Isaac is our kid and Cathy was a co-worker for several years and a colleague in Belleville for several more.

The two of them have brought their smarts to exploring the important subject of Guaranteed Livable Income, or GLI. They've recorded a couple of podcast interviews with people who can 'splain GLI, which is essentially establishing a modest financial baseline for all Canadians with the purpose of lifting the most vulnerable out of cycles of poverty and despair. 

The interview which we heard, the first in the series was with Dr. Evelyn Forget, author of Basic Income for Canadians. She speaks clearly about the reservations some have about GLI  --won't people who receive it be reluctant to work and carry their own weight? She reminds us that we do have certain forms of guaranteed income in this country, including child benefits and pensions for seniors. 

Forget describes how consolidating some programs could be cost efficient  and points out that there could be considerable reductions in healthcare costs and child welfare programs if everyone had a livable income. Then there is the possibility that GLI will create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty through education in various forms, not to mention the increase in purpose and dignity for those living in the despair of poverty. 

We also appreciated that Cathy and Isaac spoke about the biblical and theological basis for "raising the floor" for all. They play on the phrase "Glee Club" in their podcast title, encouragint us to believe that there can be joy in ensuring that everyone realizes a degree of security and hope. 

I highly recommend listening to this first episode and I'm sure the second with the Rev. Ed Bentley will also be worthwhile.https://gliclub.podbean.com/?fbclid=IwAR3wk-9orqgMnQOKXH0D3L_AUvuux5Rujp7KGfgZ41UkxyD_Ccl9G3chcl8

Am I biased because Isaac is our son and Cathy a friend? Why not make your own evidence-based decision? 

Thanks Once More for Norm Esdon

 

My seminary classmate and long-time friend, Norm Esdon, died on the last day of 2020 and for a number of reasons, including the pandemic, no service of remembrance was held at the time.That event is finally taking place today and unfortunately we're not able to attend.Here is my blog entry from two days after his death. It is the most viewed entry I've written through the years.

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

I have written about  the Rev. Norm Esdon, my friend from seminary days, on several occasions through the years. Norm was one of the "old guys" in my first year at Emmanuel College, 32 to my 22. His first career was as a teacher, and Norm had established what appeared to be a meaningful life with his wife Marie. He experienced two callings in a way, one to ordained ministry, and the other, eventually, to be true to his orientation as a gay man. Both took courage.

Norm was an exceptional student and stood near the top of our graduating class of 1980, the largest before the steady decline in student numbers during the past four decades. He served three multi-point pastoral charges through the years, if memory serves correctly, before stepping away from congregational ministry in his later 50's because of a blood disorder.

In June of this year I made further observations about Norm:

I came to appreciate Norm as a photographer (he chaired the weekly bulletin cover working group for years) and as poet. A former chemistry teacher, Norm was committed from those seminary days to the present to explore how "living with respect in Creation" is a vital and integral aspect of our Christian faith. 

Through the decades Norm visited us in Newfoundland and Northern Ontario where he took his deliberate time photographing the wild landscapes we explored. I tuckered him right out snowshoeing into Killarney Provincial Park to see a frozen waterfall one brilliant winter day. In true Norm fashion he wanted to be up close to the ice surface to capture the texture rather than the panorama of the fall. 

The United Church hasn't been a denomination which intentionally creates space for mystics and contemplatives and hermits. We leave that to the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communions. Norm was a combination of the three and the UCC was better for his ministries, even if there weren't many people who knew about him. He had a loyal circle of friends, but this cat-lover had a certain cat-like quality to his personality.

Norm's prognosis was that he would be dead by his mid-sixties but fortunately that was incorrect, for which we were all grateful. He did everything possible to prolong his life and did so with dignity and grace. 2019 was not kind to Norm and it seemed that as the year progressed everything revolved around treatment and stays in the hospital. 

On New Year's eve Norm died peacefully in Kingston at the age of 76. I'm grateful that I knew him, that he provided a unique witness and ministry within the United Church, and that he is now beyond suffering. 

Yom Kippur and Happiness

                                                       Yom Kippur -- William Kurelek, 1975

This is Yom Kippur, the most solemn, reflective, penitential day in Judaism -- or at least what it seems to be from my admittedly limited Christian perspective. It is a day to acknowledge  wrongdoing and to seek forgiveness, which I think is healthy for all of us. It's not a matter of wallowing in shame or self-reproach. We acknowledge the ways in which we have turned from God and harmed others. We say we're sorry, express gratitude that we can be forgiven, and step forward in confidence that God loves us. I suppose our Christian equivalent is Ash Wednesday which includes Psalm 51. 

Yesterday David Frum tweeted  wishes for  a meaningful Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur to all observing and added As a cherished rabbi once explained in a sermon: "It's the happiest day of the year. God's going to forgive everybody who asks, it's printed right there at the end of the prayerbook."

Here is a prayer for this day which all of us can ponder. The "Al Chet" confession of sins is said ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur services and it covers just about everything!

 For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.

For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.

For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.

And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.

For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.

And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.

For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.

For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.

For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.

And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.

For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by desecrating the Divine Name.

For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of speech.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish talk.

For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil inclination.

And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.

For the sin which we have committed before You by false denial and lying.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a bribe-taking or a bribe-giving hand.

For the sin which we have committed before You by scoffing.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil talk [about another].

For the sin which we have committed before You in business dealings. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by eating  and drinking.

For the sin which we have committed before You by [taking or giving] interest and by usury.

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a haughty demeanor. 

For the sin which we have committed before You by the prattle of our lips. 

And for the sin which we have committed before You by a glance of the eye.

For the sin which we have committed before You with proud looks.

And for the sin which we have committed before You with impudence.

 For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us. 

Is This the Climate Election?

Last weekend 5,8 million Canadians voted in advanced polls for the federal election, and we were among them. We've since learned that another million of us have requested mail-in ballots, an unprecedented number. This is encouraging, although we both struggled with how to vote in an election which shouldn't have been called in the first place. 

As Christians there are a number of issues which matter to us, some of which have received little attention. They include affordable housing for the most vulnerable and childcare, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We desire clear, welcoming refugee and immigration policies. We certainly care about Canada's abysmal record during the pandemic regarding protection for seniors, and general care for our elders. 

Our primary concern is how the federal government will address the climate emergency. This may turn out to be the hottest summer on record and we are witnessing more catastrophic weather events around the planet. This is an existential threat to Creation which requires a clear, practical, costed strategy. Some have termed this the Climate Election, although I'm not convinced that this is how Canadians view it. 

In 2019, economist Andrew Leach and climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe ranked the climate platforms of the political parties for Chatelaine magazine and they have updated it for this election. I have written about Hayhoe who is a Canadian and a Christian teaching in Texas. It is a state where many evangelicals are climate change deniers and where the government is central to the problem rather than part of the solution. I've appreciated her commitment to science and her persistent call to action without being adversarial. She is fond of saying that she doesn't "believe" in climate change because it's a matter of scientific fact rather than faith. 

Leach and Hayhoe aren't exactly thrilled with any of the parties but here is the link to the Chatelaine article, and their report card for 2021: 

The Grades

Conservatives: B for ambition, B- for feasibility
Greens: A+ for ambition, C- for feasibility
Liberals: A- for ambition, A- for feasibility
NDP: A for ambition, C- for feasibility
BQ: N/A for ambition, B+ for feasibility

https://www.chatelaine.com/news/canada-election-2021-climate-plans-graded/

The Loving Eyes of Tammy Faye

 

Ten days ago I received an email from one of the faith-based organizations I follow offering the opportunity to watch the film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. This is a Toronto International Film Festival movie and while it screened in TO it was also online as part of the hybrid format. We watched this dramatized depiction of the lives of Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, the televangelists who eventually fell from grace due to hubris, greed, and sexual impropriety. Jim did jail time for financial malfeasance but he's back on televison at age 81 and still a scam artist. 

Tammy Faye died of cancer at the age of 65, and she left this life as the butt of endless jokes because her penchant for heavy makeup turned her into a clown figure. She is portrayed by Jessica Chastain who is excellent in the role and whose performance lifts a film which is up and down (still well worth watching.) 

The premiere at TIFF received a standing ovation and I imagine that it was because of Chastain's sympathetic portrayal of a woman who overcame poverty and personal rejection as a child to become a beloved figure to their huge audience. 

                                                         The Bakkers in their Heyday

The film reminds us that so much of the "health and wealth" gospel is a pyramid scheme with an off-kllter halo, and the Bakkers were pioneers in the media-savvy version of Christianity which is actually antithetical to the gospel. Bakker deserved to go to jail, as do many of his successors. 

Tammy Faye genuinely cared about others and was convinced that God loved everyone. In the homophobic milieu of the evangelical Christianity of the 70's which persists today she was remarkably open-minded and welcoming. One scene in the film depicts the hour on one episode she devoted to an interview with a man living with AIDS and who was open about his homosexuality and convinced that God loved him. 

Tammy Faye agreed “I refuse to label people,” she said in a 2000 documentary with the same name as the current film -- “We’re all just people made out of the same old dirt, and God didn’t make any junk.”

Tammy Faye became something of a gay icon, part parody, part appreciation, and ultimately support. In the final interview before her death she said, “When we lost everything, it was the gay people that came to my rescue, and I will always love them for that.”

The Bakkers' son, Jay, who has been a progressive pastor and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, endorses the film and feels it humanizes his parents, despite all their flaws. He certainly loved his mother and her portrayal does honour strengths as well as foibles. 

                                                  Saturday Night Live Parody of the Bakkers

 

Thank God for Heath Care Workers

 Caim Prayer

Circle _________, Gracious God, keep protection near and danger afar. 

Circle __________, Healing God, keep hope within,keep despair without.

Circle ____________, Caring God, keep light near, and darkness afar.

Circle __________, God, keep peace within and anxiety without.

May God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer shield ___________on every side. 

Amen.

During my ministry I used this Celtic Caim prayer with individuals who were about to undergo surgery or were in the throes of serious illness or were struggling with deep anxiety. On a number of occasions family and friends were invited to participate, literally encircling the one who was the focus of the prayer.

Today I invite you to say this prayer on behalf of those who will be entering hospitals across this country for medical treatment, including those brought by ambulance. We can offer it as well for health care workers and other staff in these places of healing.

In recent days angry, threatening crowds have been gathering outside hospitals in what are exhibitions of mass hysteria, protesting God knows what -- do they really know? Supposedly these selfish demonstrations are anti-vax and pro freedom. Some of the people allege to be Christians even though what they are doing is antithetical to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Most of the COVID patients in hospitals have not been vacciinated, but there is no logic to what is going on. It's a challenge to quell my own anger even though Jesus teaches "do not repay evil with evil." 

I've read that a hundred years ago during the deadly flu pandemic there were anti-vaccination rallies as well. Fear and selfishness are part of the human condition, sad to say, and while we think we live in a more advanced society there is something primal about this smacks of original sin (I'm not really an original sin guy, but I'll make exceptions!) 

Gracious God, please circle all those who need your protection in these hospital settings today, and bring the protesters to their senses -- they are a danger to everyone, including themselves. 

Norwich Cathedral & Dippy the Dinosaur

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

During the periods when our congregation has been able to gather for worship during the pandemic I've been impressed by the number of seniors who've attended. It's the group most vulnerable to COVID-19 but we observed protocols and stayed safe, thanks be to God. Many congregations will resume worship today for the first time in 18 months and I imagine that there will be lots of elders who show up. 

What if an actual dinoosaur  arrived for church? This has happened at Norwich Cathedral in Britain where what is actually a cast of a Diplodocus skeleton has been on display since July as part of  "Dippy on Tour" throughout the nation. As the photo above shows, choir membes were part of the opening at Norwich, singing John Rutter's marvellous  setting of the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful and a nine-year-old chorister put the last bone in place. Since Dippy took up residence in the 900-year-old cathedral there have been 10,000 visitors. 

We live in a time when some Christians are determined to see religion and science as opponents rather than allies. This has been very evident with conservative Christians who oppose vaccines but it extends to many other areas of scientific endeavour. It is baffling to me that some are willingly stepping back to superstition and magical thinking. 

We know that in the 18th and 19th centuries the discovery of fossil remains of ancient creatures rocked the theological world as notions of an actual six-day creation and and a young Earth were challenged. The presence of Dippy in Norwich may seem a bit gimmicky but it is also a statement about God as the Creator who is not confined by limited human thinking. As a dinosaur myself I would certainly love to walk in that historic church with this massive creature nearby.