November 2012

It is a beautiful frosty but sunny day.  I am sitting in my  comfy chair with a hot cup of tea on the table for me to drink. There is music on the radio that delights my ears, and knitting to occupy my hands.  I wish I could purr like a cat. However there is something better to do than that.  I can reach out to God and share this moment with Him.

All our relationships, even with those we love very much, need to be nourished.  To day couples are learning the importance of getting out alone together for dinner or just an evening stroll.  Friends need to write, phone or have the occasional meal together.

We need also to make a conscious effort to reach out to God. He is always right there.  We need to reach out to Him in prayer, dedication, Bible study and public worship.  We need to be filled with the compassion which makes us reach out to our fellow human beings in the love and understanding which comes from our Heavenly Father.

Let us enjoy beauty whether in nature or man made art.  It all comes from God.

Once many years ago a dear elderly relative of mine told me she believed much of the evil in the world was caused by the study of science.  I shared with her my view which is that science is the study of God’s creation.  The more we understand about His creation, the closer we can come to Him.  If we reach out to Him as the Creator, instead of just trying to purr as we enjoy his wonders, we will live in Him, and He in us.

At our Thanksgiving Dinner did we just  savour every mouthful as we ate or did we think of Him from whom all these good things came?

Of course life is not one long Thanksgiving Dinner.  When unhappy or difficult times beset us, we really need to reach out to our God and Creator.  He is there by our side really wanting to uphold us.  We must not ignore Him.  Let us reach out and love Him.

Painting done by Canon Frances

October 2012

We all love to receive gifts. They enrich us with the joy of  something beautiful or they do something for us by making life easier or more comfortable.  Above all they give us insights about our relationships with the donor, how they feel or think about us.

God gave to you and me a  very special gift.  His beloved  Son, Jesus Christ.  There is  nothing more precious He could have bestowed on us. How much he must love us. How do we respond to Him?

Of course we respond with  our love, but how?  First we need to get close to Him.  We can do this by reading about  Him in Holy Scripture and other books his followers  have written in our modern times. Particularly we should  read about Him in the New Testament.  Jesus was sent by the Father to reveal what God is really like.  Also let us reach out and share with others some of our thoughts and questions.
 
Above all let us worship Him in word and deed.

Those deeds are so important.  Jesus told us that whatever we do for others here on earth it is as if we had done it for Him.  We can in this way give Him good gifts and in the giving receive such joy.

Let us be a people filled with love and joy.

Is there someone with whom you can share your thoughts? Get in touch with them or join a study group.  Do not be shy, Jesus is with you.  Here are some passages to start you off:

John 1:17b; 29-34

John 3: 16

The first chapter of St Paul’s Epistle to Ephesians

New Format

A message from the keeper of the blog:

Those of you who are members of Trinity Anglican Church, Barrie, or who have been fallowing this blog know that this past year we had a new incumbent, Canon Donald Butler, take over the leadership of the church. Which that change in leadership has come other changes. One of those changes has been that the weekly "Happenings" has now become a monthly newsletter. Due to the newsletter now coming out monthly means that Canon Frances will now only be writing a single "thoughts from my chair" each month as well. Also You may notice a change in the layout and format to the postings which are made here which is a result of the new format of the newsletter and that the person to which Canon Frances gives her handwritten copies to be typed up has changed.

I hope that you continue to enjoy the writings of this remarkable woman of 93 as much as I do.

Sincerely,
SA, keeper of the blog

June 24th 2012

This is the day (June 24th) when we remember the birth of John the Baptist, the last of the great line of prophets. He was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus. In the collect for the day, we pray, “Give your people the wisdom to see your purpose and the openness to hear your will.” What is this will? In the prayer after Communion, we thank God that “his compassion has broken upon us like the dawn” and we ask him to “guide now our feet into the way of peace”. If we are to find peace, we have to know what we are looking for. Compassion is the road to peace. It breaks upon us like a new day bringing with it a new energy to reach out and relate to others with the power of love.   We often feel that with the cessation  of  noise  and  the  clamor  of  fighting  comes  peace.  That  is  a negative view, wonderful though it might often be. Peace should not mean “Now I can lay back and relax." True peace means we are filled with compassion; we move forward and reach out with the power of love which comes in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is translated into many acts, great and small which uphold another person or cause and helps us to enter into their lives. It means that while discerning their weaknesses, we love and support them.

John the Baptist, the forerunner preached the repentance of sin. Jesus died for us on the cross so that we might receive forgiveness of those sins. Having accepted his forgiveness, let us move forward with compassion with the power and strength of his love and reach out to obtain the peace that passes understanding.

O Divine master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

Not so much to be understood as to understand;

Not so much to be loved as to love.

For it is giving that we receive,

 it is in pardoning that we are pardoned

It is in dying we are born again to eternal life.

(from the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

June 17th 2012

Some years ago, I was talking to a professor of theology who said he felt that it was very important when lecturing to make frequent reference to a map. He maintained that subconsciously it is easy for many to think of the Bible stories as coming from a never never land of legend. We need to be very conscious that the stories we read in scripture nearly all happened in real places. What better confirmation of this than to find a name on a map.

Last week, I asked you to use your imaginations to picture the real happenings of scripture. This week I am asking you also to use maps. For starters, most Bibles have several at the back. I think it is also good to study from a modern one too. I am fortunate enough to have a large atlas my grandson gave me but you can pick up a very adequate one at the drug store for about $3.00.

Of course, the alternative is to travel to the actual places. In these troubling times, it is possible to take trips to the Holy Land to follow St. Paul through Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean. I do not think anyone is ever the same after visiting Jerusalem. It is a wondrous, holy and exciting place.

My husband served two years in Malta during the First World War. One day, when he was out sailing, his boat was caught in the current and was out of his control. He thought, could he be caught in the same current St. Paul described in Acts 27. Sure enough, his boat was carried to the same spot St. Paul is said to have landed!

For  those for whom travel is not a choice, there are many interesting accounts of archaeological digs  on  T.V.  these  days.  Viewed  with  intelligent  discernment,  they  can  be  very  helpful  and enjoyable. Anything which leads us to spiritual enlightenment and prayer is enriching so I ask you to:

Read it through,

Think it out,

Pray it in.

Painting by Canon Frances 

June 10th 2012

When the Father created us, he did not just provide bodies with brains. He gave us many other gifts. One of them is the gift of imagination. So often we think of imagination as delving into an unreal world, but it can lead us to further understand the truth, move forward and discover new wonders and greater realities. This is especially true when we read the scriptures. I think I have touched on this subject once before but I feel led to write about it again.

In the book of Acts, following the day of Pentecost, there are many stories of the happenings in that very early church. As I read them I try to use my imagination based on true fact. In Acts 9, we read that Peter is in the seaside town of Joppa and has healed Aneas and Tabitha (Dorcas). He decides to stay on in Joppa with Simon the tanner who has a house by the sea shore. Meanwhile, about 40 miles to the north in the Town of Caesarea, Cornelius a Roman Centurion and a devout seeker after God had a vision. An angel appears to tell him to send for Peter. Are you picturing all this in your mind or in your imagination and filling in the details? Cornelius calls two of his household slaves and a devout soldier under his command. Picture the scene as he tells them of his vision and sends them off. How do you see them going down the road? Do they march off in a military fashion with a solider escorting them? Do they meander along with other travellers? Is it possible that they sing?

The next day, when they are near the end of their journey, Peter, at Simon’s house goes up to the rooftop to pray. Rooftops were special get away places, usually reached by an outside stair. Think of Peter up there. Did the lay on the parapet and look out at the Mediterranean Sea? Jewish people are not as a rule great sailors but Peter was a fisherman who grew up on the Lake of Galilee. What were his thoughts? What did he pray about? We are told he became aware that he was very hungry and he asked for some food. I try to picture  - Did he call down to the women in the house below? Did he run down the outside stairs? There is no food available, no snack they can give him. However, they are happy to do anything for Peter and tell him they will cook up a meal but it will take a little time. Still hungry he returns to his prayers and falls into a trance. In it he sees a white cloth held at the four corners descending from above. It is filled with all sorts of animals. They must be alive because he hears a voice saying “Kill and eat”. This part is hard to imagine but what it is hard for Peter is that all these creatures are forbidden by law for him to eat,  ( Leviticus 11: 4) and he is so hungry. Nonetheless, he protests that he cannot eat forbidden food. The voice says, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane”

As he ponders this he hears the voices of the three from Cornelius' house. He goes down and invites them in. They tell their story and stay overnight. Imagine them all as they sat and talked before they slept. Was it as this point that Peter understood his vision? Jews had been taught they must not socialize with gentiles or enter their homes. God told him clearly that anyone of any nation who was a righteous person is acceptable to him. Peter knows he is free to go off the next day and enter the house of a gentile – Cornelius, the Roman Centurion. Other believers decide to go with him.

We have to leave them there, travelling back to Caesarea. How did they go with their single Roman escort? Did they walk solemnly or laugh and chat together? Did they sing psalms? Go with them, enter their joy and expectation. Let the story of their arrival come alive. May all your reading of scripture come alive. Enjoy.

June 3rd 2012

I think it was Augustine of Hippo, who said that “a prayer sung is a prayer prayed twice”. Today as I contemplate Trinity Sunday, I want to sing. I want to sing about God my father who made me and this world in which we live and move and have our being. I want to reach out and take the hand of Jesus my Saviour and sing as I feel God’s love flowing from him. Then that love becomes power, the power and peace of the Holy Spirit and I am uplifted in hymns of praise.

This morning, I am feasting on songs of praise. Silently! The other residents and staff might wonder about me. Perhaps that would be good thing. I have opened my red hymn book, leafed through it, here and there stopped to sing to myself. I would love to include here some of the verses but it would not be practical.

Some seekers after truth tend to doubt when their finite minds cannot grasp the infinite glory of God. We must never give up searching with our minds but above all experiencing with our hearts and showing forth his love in our lives.

One of the great saints of the Christian church was St. Francis of Assisi. He wrote this beautiful hymn which is one of my favorites. It is number 1 in the old red hymn book and number 355 in the Book of Common Praise. The first and last verses are printed here.

All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices, let us sing: Alleluia, alleluia!

Bright burning sun and golden beams, pale silver moon that gently gleams,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Let all things their creator bless, and worship God in humbleness, Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise God the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three-in-One:

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

May 27th 2012

Those of you who have travelled to the Holy Land no doubt will have been taken to the place believed to be the Upper Room. Many are surprised that it is so large and spacious. We think of it as the place where Jesus was with just the twelve, an intimate space. However, in Acts One we read that about one hundred and twenty people gathered there in hope and expectancy and above all in prayer. Especially noted are certain women including Mary, Jesus’ Mother and we rejoice to note that Jesus’ brothers were there. They had not always been supportive as we read in Matthew 12: 26 and also in the other synoptic gospels. Peter assumed a leadership role and organizes the election of Matthias to take the place of Judas Iscariot among the twelve. They all continued together in prayer and fellowship. On the Jewish festival of Pentecost, they were all together there as usual and that which Jesus had promised them happened. The Holy Spirit came among them in the form of wind and fire and entered into each one. Wonderful things happened.

You remember at the time of Jesus’ ascension, the disciples asked “Is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel”? They still clung to the belief that they would be freed from the power of Rome, their earthly oppressors. Now each one of them received power through the coming of the Holy Spirit into their own personal lives. As Peter proclaimed to the crowds, “therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified”. On that day alone, about three thousand people joined the company of believers and were baptized. The power they received did not send them forth to fight earthly battles but “they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship and to the breaking of bread and the prayers” Act 2: 42. The apostles led them as they grew into a new life in the Holy Spirit.

There were opposition and trials which were an opportunity for witness. Some lost their lives. We remember especially James and Stephen. The church grew in Jerusalem and beyond and throughout the whole world. It grew from that first Pentecost down the ages to you and me. We have faced trials and tribulations but as we open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit, we will go forward in faith and love.

May 20th 2012

This past Thursday was Ascension Day. It is a festival when we remember that mysterious event when Jesus was lifted to his throne in heaven, as a cloud separated him from his disciples. We tend not to celebrate this festival as we should. Perhaps it is because it is hard to grasp this happening. We try to understand with our minds only and are afraid to enter into the mystery.

Our chaplain here in the IOOF Home from time to time brings me articles to read. Recently he brought me one by an unnamed writer which I found to be very profound and I relate to many of his observations. For starters, he worships in Durham cathedral.  As a student I was in the Diocese of Durham to do some supervised practical work. The awe that ancient building inspired is still with me. To quote the article.

“I stare at the vast arches and pillars 

I soak in the depth of the lyrics in the hymns.

The whole experience is one of resurrection wonder - wonder springs up when

 something feels much bigger than us, beyond our understanding, 

beyond our ability to put it in a box.”

Little children are born with a sense of wonder. Their eyes open wide to take in some new marvel. They look intently as they watch a ladybug or a worm. They do not try to understand; that will come later. Now they are filled with awe. Later they will want answers and that is good but we must never lose our sense of awe. That is how we enter his presence.

Please do not think that I would cast aside intellectual striving after God’s truth, the joyous study in finding more about him or that I would substitute for it a mindless entry into a state of ecstatic nothingness.  When we are filled with awe, we reach out to him as he does to us. We experience his presence and we grow in his knowledge – the knowledge of him who is the father, the divine creator of the universe through the son, the revelation of his love through his life on earth and death on the cross. Finally we experience him through the Holy Spirit who enters into our lives to move and direct us by his uplifting and purposeful power.

May 13th 2012

Each one of us, I hope has experienced special epiphanies, wonderful moments when we feel someone’s outgoing love to us. It may be when a small grandchild comes running to us, arms outstretched, face alight with joy. I can remember my mother and her mother greeting one another after being parted for several years. So much love, it is the essence of joy in our lives. Some have no doubt received more such moments than others but it all comes from the same source. They are outward visible signs of his grace, his love in us.

Today’s sentence (BAS 341) comes from that deep and powerful passage John 14: 23 and following. Jesus knows he is having his last supper with his loved disciples and is pouring out his last words answering their puzzled questions.

Let us look at one or two highlights we may use to meditate on these verses by ourselves:

First there is the promise – the promise of the Holy Spirit – what will the Holy Spirit do – it will teach us. Not only tat but remind us of things we have forgotten – that is indeed a blessing.

Then is another gift - that gift is peace but it comes with a proviso – “I do not give as the world gives”. Is that a letdown? Is there a catch? No, we are not to be troubled or afraid – his gifts are perfect gifts.

Then there is the foretelling. He shared a little of little of what will happen to him and finally the reason for all this -  love.

Above all, that the world may see and try to understand the length and breadth of his supreme love for the father and the father for him. In total surrender he gave his life for us because he loved the father and did his will. Ponder on these things.

May 6th 2012

It often saddens me when some good kind delightful person, says that of course they believe in God and Jesus too but not in “organized” churches. What a sad thing, that we are who church members have presented such a negative picture. We have not shown ourselves as the body of Christ, people in whom Christ dwells and who reach out to the Christ in each other.

The Christian faith began with a basic love for Jesus in response to his love for us. It took hundreds of years to work out the basic belief that is in implicit in our commitment to him. For the individual, this process starts with us in childhood as we live and grow in him. We develop our beliefs supported by the community as we too support them. It is important that as little children, we feel accepted and loved and soon understand that love is the love of Jesus dwelling in each person. Early on it is important that we be accepted as young men and women, capable of responsibility. God’s children loved, his own and our own. We become “the blessed company of all faithful people”.

As we grow in faith, we also develop beliefs; some of our beliefs will grow in different directions. Let us pray that our faith and love remain strong. Let us not concentrate on proving ourselves right but meditate on his love so that we may eventually be shown his truth.

Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote a long poem in memory of a friend. In it are these words:

A strong son of God, immortal love

Whom we that have not seen thy face

By faith and faith alone, embrace

Believing where we cannot prove

St. Paul in his letter to the  Romans Chapter 1, verses 11- 12 wrote:

I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - 

or rather that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Hugh Latimer (c.1487 – 16 October 1555) was a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and Bishop of Worcester before the Reformation, and later Church of England chaplain to King Edward VI. In 1555, under Queen Mary, he was burnt at the stake, becoming one of the three Oxford Martyrs of Anglicanism. He said:

If you will build a glorious church onto God, 

see first yourselves to be in charity with your neighbours

and suffer not them to be offended by your works.

April 29th 2012

Last time we looked at the need to examine our faith with deeper understanding. It is very often good to give some thought and study to the times in which Biblical events took place, perhaps to compare those people and events to modern times. This is Good Shepherd Sunday when the Psalm, Collect and Prayers refer to the Good Shepherd. The role of the shepherd has not changed that much down through the centuries but we do tend to romanticize him. As you meditate, use all your senses. Can you hear the sound of the sheep and the lambs? Do you see the country side all around you? Is there better pasture ahead and what is that lamb doing over there? What does the ground feel like under your feet? Are you aware of the comfort of your strong shepherd’s crook? Does it give you confidence to defend yourself against wolves or to reach out and rescue lambs? Are you prepared to give your life for your sheep? Do you love them that much? Jesus did. You are one of his sheep? Do you hear his voice? Are you assured of his love? Do you feel safe in his care? There are many more inspirational thoughts to be gleaned from today’s Gospel reading John 10: 1-18.

In the latter half of this same chapter is recounted Jesus’ struggle with the wolves. We have a vivid picture of the scene. Jesus is in the temple In Jerusalem, a place he loved. It is winter so we can presume it is cold and he is walking up and down in Solomon’s portico. Suddenly he is surrounded by a group of Jews who want answers. Let us try and get into the hearts and minds of these men. God has promised them that they as Jews are his chosen people and that he will one day send them a Messiah, a Saviour. They interpret this to mean release from the constraining bonds of the Roman empire. They have some faint expectation that Jesus is the promised Messiah and are frustrated that he does not declare himself, produce a sword and lead them into battle. They had the right person but the wrong expectations of him. They became the wolves, anxious to destroy instead of being the sheep willing to follow.

Are we wolves out to destroy because we are set on the wrong course with the wrong expectation?

 Are we sheep trying to follow the Good Shepherd wherever he leads us?

April 22nd 2012

In the collect for this third Sunday of Easter, are these words:

O God,

Your Son made himself known to his disciples

In the breaking of bread.

Open the eyes of our faith,

That we may see him in his redeeming work,

Who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, now and forever

Often although our eyes are open, we do not look hard or long enough to see everything that is there.

I was talking to a young teacher who told me she had never been able to understand mathematics, so understandably she had tried to avoid teaching it. The day came when she could no longer avoid the inevitable so she signed up to take part in a special math seminar. Her eyes were opened. She saw it all in a new way. Delightedly she kept saying “now it all makes sense”

Often our eyes of faith need to be opened to wider concepts or to little details we have not previously noticed. Even though we know better, have we been expecting from God the gift we want when he has far more wonderful things in mind for us? Do we fear his judgment when his arms are open wide to forgive us?

April 15th 2012

The Easter season is with us – Christ is Risen and our hearts are uplifted. We have prayed together in the prayer after communion:

Strengthen our faith so that 

we may grow in love for each other. 

A few evenings ago in the TV Program Agenda, I listened to an atheist of Jewish background expanding on his beliefs. He was a warm attractive man and did not at all repel me as many such thinkers do. He had some very scholarly, even complimentary things to say about religious influence on the world.

But there was something missing. First of all, he did not mention any great religious leaders so of course not the name of Jesus. Supremely, he never mentioned love. Neither did he say anything about creation or the power behind our great universe. He did not even use the word God. In fact, he left us in complete limbo with
nothing to hang onto from above and no roots below. He ignored love and the fact that love is a power. Are we too glib when we talk about love? It is a power which can move us to great acts of bravery. It can give us the power of continuous endurance and the power of ever developing creativity.

Love involves relationship. Our God is a personal God who relates to each one of us; who cares for each one of us; who died for each one of us. I pray that each one of us can reach out and continue to grow closer to him and each other ever developing a strong loving relationship through the sacrificial gift of his son Jesus. Above all, let us continuously welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit that we may reach out to each other and may we be open to receive their love as they reach out to us.

Canon John Speers Death Notice

taken from the Globeandmail.com on March 31st 2012

SPEERS, The Reverend Canon John Edward

Peacefully at Hospice Simcoe, Barrie, Canon John E. Speers passed away Thursday, March 29, 2012, in his 96th year. Born September 29, 1916, in Aneroid, Saskatchewan, son of the late Harry Speers and Florence McLauchlin. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Gwyneth (Smith), in 2008 and their dear son Kevin in 1962. Loving father of Shelagh Speers of Cold Spring, NY, Maureen Doherty of Rankin Inlet, and Michael Speers of Barrie. Dear father-in-law of Gregory Gunder and Bryon Doherty, and loving Papa to Sean, Brendan and Liam Doherty and Laura Gunder. Beloved brother of Dorothy Pearson, Millie Rowlinson, and George Speers and his wife Ethelwyn. Dearly loved by his nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his brother Clarence (Curly) in 1944. A prairie boy, John graduated from Moose Jaw Central Collegiate and taught school in Lloydminster, SK, before coming east to attend the University of Toronto, graduating from Victoria College in 1945 with an Honours BA and Gold Medal in English. As a grad student he lectured in English at U of T and United College, Winnipeg, where he was also Dean of Men. In 1950 John was called to the Anglican ministry and left academia for the church, graduating from Trinity College with four prizes in theology. Ordained May 3, 1953, John embraced parish ministry and served with Gwyn at St. James, Sutton and St. George's, Sibbald Point; Trinity, Aurora; St. Stephen-in- the-Fields, Toronto; and Trinity, Barrie. After retirement in 1985 John assisted at St. Giles and St. Margaret's, Barrie, and taught numerous workshops, most notably on Celtic Spirituality. Apart from holidays, John preached steadily from age 18 to 95, and led ten parish missions. For many years he was Speaker at Camp Koinonia, tour host with Gwyn on pilgrimages to Israel and the Bible lands, the Oberammergau Passion Play and Great Britain, and Prophet-in- Residence at Willowbank, Bermuda. A lifelong avid gardener, John was known for the beauty of his award- winning rectory gardens and for his monthly horticultural column. A natural musician, John played piano until his final weeks. He was a poet, genealogist, and author, publishing his last book, Florrie, in 2011. In his own words, he ''never wasted much time''. He was a member of the World McLauchlin Society, a Life Member of the Barrie Garden Club, a member of the Irish Club of Barrie, and an Oblate member of the SSJE. A gifted preacher, compelling teacher, compassionate pastor and devoted friend, John touched the lives of thousands in his lifetime. Resting at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley Street, Barrie. Visitation Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service at Trinity Anglican Church, 24 Collier Street, Barrie, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made in John's memory to Hospice Simcoe or the Leprosy Mission International. Condolences may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com

Canon John Speaking at Trinity Church, Barrie 

April 1st 2012

In our church year, we have finally arrived at Palm Sunday - the day of celebration when we greet Jesus as King and Messiah. It is also the first day of Holy Week which takes us down into the depth of darkness and guides us through to the great light and height of Easter. The Day of Resurrection. Christmas is wonderful and full of the joy of birth and new beginnings. Easter is the culmination of that life as we enter into the fulfillment of Jesus’ resurrection.

At this point, it is necessary that we consider how we are going to spend Holy Week and make it truly blessed. I am suggesting that you take the BAS (green book), turn to page 296 and read the rubric there as a starter. Perhaps you would find it helpful to use some of the prayers that follow for the week. You may feel you would like to do something creative to enrich your life or that of someone else. If there are children in your life include them in a teaching or worshipping experience. How about using the Advent Wreath at the evening meal during the week, as it is, or expand it by adding extra candles.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you creative and enriching ideas.

Try to attend the evening service on Maundy Thursday. The ceremonies of washing feet and stripping the altar are dramatic and moving. It is a time where children might be allowed to stay up late. The next day will be a holiday from school as it is Good Friday, the most solemn of all the days in the year, when we remember Jesus’ supreme love which gave him the strength to die for us. Holy Saturday should be a happy day; weather permitting a drive in the country, picnic, visit to a loved one or a shut in. Helping to get ready for the next day’s celebration and of course for children, colouring Easter eggs. They are a symbol of the Holy Sepulchre or the tomb. I seem to remember sharing with you, last year about an Easter dance, common in Orthodox churches in earlier times.

The dancers held aloft a hardboiled egg in their hands. They concluded the dance shouting “Christ is Risen” and cracked open their eggs against someone else’s to symbolize the opening of the tomb. Let us join in that Orthodox Church custom of greeting one another with “Christ is Risen” to which the reply is “He is Risen Indeed”. Let us embrace his love and accept his great gift of forgiveness. Let us be a Resurrection people, a living people.

March 25th 2012

Last week marked the 4th Anniversary of my entering this long term care facility, The IOOF Seniors’ Home. I was very aware of my nice room and all the loving care that surrounded me. Nonetheless, I could not help thinking of the quote “abandon hope all ye who enter here”. Abandoning hope did not mean any thought of some disaster but it did mean to me the end of looking forward to some new adventure or enterprise, a new challenge or fresh call from God. How wrong I was!

There were people all around, both residents and staff, reaching out for the real word of hope. There were other lesser challenges, some little jobs to do and offices to fill. One day a call on the phone -  my grandson with a message from Rev. Elizabeth – would  I be willing to write a little piece for the Happenings? Of course I would. So often that is the way, God calls us. In the course of every day happenings, he drops a request. We pick it up without any hesitation. We need the day- to- day discipline to carry out the task and trust that he will be there to support us by the power of his Holy Spirit. We will not trust in vain. He will be there for us. He will always have things for us to do. There is always joy and strength in doing his will. If we ever find ourselves under a little strain or heavy stress, we should ask ourselves a question. Are we trying to do this task on our own strength? Then we could say this prayer.

Almighty and ever living God increase in us your gift of faith that forsaking what lies behind and reaching to what is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for now and forever.

Painting by
Canon Frances
which Hangings in IOOF

March 18th 2012

Last Sunday, the Old Testament reading was the famous 20th chapter of Exodus in which God gives to Moses, the Ten Commandments. You were no doubt taught in Sunday School that the first part was about our duty to God and the last about our duty to our neighbour. I am going to suggest that the fourth commandment is a special gift to us “remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy”. It is a day in which we are permitted to rest from our work and spend time with each other. It is tragic that in the past, many of us interpreted this in a very negative way. We made the Sabbath a burden and then rejected it all together. First of all, we should remember that our word holiday comes from holy-day. In it we are allowed to lay down the burden of our daily labour; seek out our God in worship and find him in each other as we worship together and play together. In medieval times, on Sunday afternoon after worship, people gathered together on the Village green to play. They practiced archery and other sports; they walked and visited with each other, especially young couples. At some time in the day, they had a family meal together. It seems that we have always been tempted to disobey the commandment. If you read in the book of Jeremiah 17:19, the people were continuing with their usual work and carrying heavy burdens in and out of the City gates on the Sabbath. God sends Jeremiah to denounce them.

Our loving Lord instituted the Sabbath that we may have a day of refreshment rest and re-creation. All of us need to examine our own lives and develop a plan which will enable us to worship with God, rest and recreate ourselves on the Sabbath. Have a Happy Holy Day

March 11th 2012

I remember Sister Jessie Mary from one of our Anglican Convents in England, telling me this story. A young girl of very humble circumstances was engaged to be married to an exceedingly brilliant young man. He had won scholarships which, when he had finished his studies, would move him into social circles far above those into which he and she had been born. In Canada, and in these more egalitarian times, it is hard for us to understand how very frightened she was that she would not measure up socially. She wanted to break off the engagement. He, bless him, loved her and would not hear of it. She turned to Sister Jessie Mary for advice. She told her that of course she must marry him. As for dealing with social niceties, the important thing was to always be considerate and think of others. That is the basis of all good manners. The couple were married and in the strength of their love for each other and their love and devotion to God, they were accepted in all circles.

Thinking of this anecdote made me wonder. When we rise to greet someone or shake hands with them, do we remember that this is a child of God, made in his image? Do we, whether they be royalty, or down and out, honour and respect them. Sometimes we are aware that the person we face has not opened themselves to God’s love and grace. We cannot honour the things they may condone or do. We can reach out to them with the saving love of Jesus in our hearts and be comfortable and confident in their presence. It is only our insecurity which makes us uncomfortable in the presence of someone whose life is different from our own. We are self conscious rather than God conscious. We must let him, by the power of his Holy Spirit be present with us in our all relationships.

Cat Painting (Early work)

March 4th 2012

In our spiritual journey, we are taught there comes a time when we must take a leap of faith. What do we mean by that? Many are those who think that it means we have to accept something that is not real. The opposite is true. When we have faith, we surrender ourselves to something or someone we believe to be true.


A small boy was stuck in a tree unable to climb higher, afraid to get down. Several strangers tried to help him to no avail. Then his father came along, lifted his strong loving arms and called out to him to jump. It took a matter a second’s hesitation and he threw himself into those arms he knew he could trust. That was a leap of faith.


Brothers James and John took a leap of faith when Jesus called them from their daily job as fishermen on the Lake of Galilee. They had no idea what lay ahead but they trusted him and were impelled to follow him. It is really only a small firm step they took that day. That is the way of faith. It begins in a small way but gradually develops for the rest of our lives. We find ourselves part of the great body of believers who nourish each other. Our life of faith is strengthened by the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Some day we will grasp the heights, breadths and depths of the love of God. Let us endeavor now to keep on growing. It may not always be easy. Sometimes we will take short firm steps; sometimes, leaps and bounds. Faith in God the Father and his Son allows us to meet life with courage, generosity and optimism as the Holy Spirit empowers us. Faith in those loving arms which stretched out on the cross relieves us of the fear sin has bound around us. Let us go forth in faith

The Rev. Andrew Sandilands, Lenten Talk

February 26th 2012

Our motto at the old Deaconess house in Toronto was “there they dwelt with the King for his work”. It always gave me a happy picture of all the temple craftspeople, the masons, the metal, wood and fabric workers living together in a happy union, each contributing their own gift towards one beautiful house of worship.

Recently, I came on a little passage in Isaiah 41, verses 6 and 7. It describes the goldsmiths encouraging each other and admiring each other’s work. It is important that all of us should reach out to one another in love and appreciation of who we are.

That inspiring Canadian thinker and writer, John Ralston Saul, in a recent book encourages us not to live our lives as a linear race running in a straight line to get there first. We should live and grow in a special world and ever widening circle where we grow together and enjoy one another. This Lent as Christians and church members, let us reach out and get to know one another better. Let us pray for each other and take a loving interest in all our members, both young and old. Our loving father has given each one of us special gifts. May we show our gratitude by using these gifts in his service and for each other.

Let us invite each other in the name of the Lord to observe a Holy Lent

February 19th 2012

It is hard to believe that the season of Lent is almost here. How do you observe the 40 days of Lent. Do you discipline yourself by giving up something you enjoy, or do you try to achieve something?

Have you noticed how often, an account of Jesus' teaching starts with the words “He answered them and said”. A good many years ago, I did my own research and came up with 21 times he said this. That may not be accurate, but what this tells me is that Jesus' teaching was very much a response to people's questions. Have you any questions you would like to ask him? Lent should be a growing time. What better way to grow in the spirit than to ask questions. Of course finding the answers is not so easy. It may take longer to find the answers but if we are really seeking, I guarantee we will grow and probably stretch out in more directions than we thought possible.

The first place we turn is to the Scriptures. Some will need more help than others. Join a Bible Study group. You will meet people there who are also on a quest. What about books? How many over the years have you taken out of the parish library or the public library?

If there is no group which fits into your timetable, ask a friend to join you or a family member. Ask questions of anyone who might help. You may even open up their minds and spirits too.

One of the most rewarding things to do at Lent is to take on a project, volunteer at church, perhaps at a school, food bank or to some individual who needs a helping hand, a drive, shopping or just a friendly visit. You may soon realize you are opening up a new world which may not end when Lent is over. We may have gained new skills, made new friends and gained more knowledge. We should feel we have arrived at a new place in our life from which we will go forward not back: onto something more interesting, more alive.

Above all, let us enter into his presence in prayer. Let us feel his arms around about us, upholding us and giving us strength.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait for the lord shall renew their strength,

They shall mount up with wings like eagles

They shall run and not be weary

They shall walk and not fain

February 12th 2012

Continuing in our thoughts about prayer, let us remember that Jesus taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.”  Ultimately all we should ask for is just that, the coming of his kingdom. The wonderful thing is that we can add beginning with me. We can actually be part of his glorious kingdom. This also should be our ultimate goal as we pray for our loved ones, even our wayward ones.

When St. Paul prayed for the people in the church at Ephesus, the key words were that they might be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation as they come to know the Father and the hope to which he has called them. Paul could have asked that they have good health and prosper, become leaders in the community etc. There would be nothing wrong with that. But he knew that there was far more awaiting them – a place in the Father’s kingdom. We can ask for anything we feel we need but as Jesus said, “the Father knows you have needed these things”. A child walking with a parent does not keep asking for protection and guidance. They are happy to walk confidently, holding a strong loving hand.  Prayer is not just asking him. It is being with him.

The most agonizing prayer in history came from the Garden of Gesthemane when Jesus begged that the suffering he was facing might be taken from him. Almost in the same breath, he capitulates with “nevertheless, thy will be done” Through the following hours of humiliation and suffering, he was upheld by his Father. St. Matthew and St. Mark’s gospels record his cry from the cross “why have you forsaken me”. Had he briefly lost his grasp of his Father’s hand? Down the years, scholars have pondered this. Then St. Luke records his words “Father into your hands I commend my spirit”. Those hands were always there.

February 5th 2012

This week I want to write about prayer. I am torn by a feeling of inadequacy and the knowledge that there is so much to say. To whom do I turn? Without any doubt to Jesus who taught us in so many ways. I look particularly to when he responded to the disciples’ request for teaching on prayer. They had learned to pray from childhood at home and in the synagogue, but they saw in Jesus’ prayer, something unique, something powerful. In Matthew 6: 5 following and Luke 11: 1 following, we can share some of the teaching he gave to his followers. First of all he warned them against making a show of their prayers, going to a public place and proclaiming to God in a loud voice in order to receive honour. Instead, he instructed them to go into their room and shut the door behind them in order to pray in private.

Today the world has turned around. How many say grace in a public restaurant? How many fear people’s scorn? How much time do we spend alone with our heavenly Father? The important thing is for us to humbly acknowledge him and ask his forgiveness for turning away from him. We are assured of being accepted by him if we also forgive others. Daily we ask for physical sustenance. Do we ask for those who lack the necessities of life? We ask to be kept safe from evil. We are assured that our prayers will be answered. The hardest thing for us to accept is the fact that the answer is not always the one we want. Often it is “yes” but it can be “wait” and also it can be “no”. This does not mean that our prayer is in vain. In prayer, we have been with him and we have been gathered into his arms.

January 29nd 2012

There is a strong tendency in all of us to think of our faith as something rooted in the past. We read our Bible as it recounts the story of God’s interaction down the ages. We learn our Father the creator of the earth, progressed through each new stage and how every tree and plant produced seed so that it would renew itself. We also read the words of the Lord as he continually looked at what he made and said “It is good”.

Then God created human beings in his own image, male and female he created them. God is Love and therefore humans are too are created to love him. However, that love must be freely given. Thus God gave each one of us free will to love him. Alas down the ages, men and women have chosen not to love him but to ignore him and follow what entices them.

Over and over again, God has reached out to us through his faithful followers, a long line of prophets, priests, martyrs and humble followers. They were his living seed through whom he renewed his church. Are we living seeds or empty pots? We must renew ourselves and renew the church.

Finally God came into the world through his Son Jesus Christ. Through him and his death and resurrection we are renewed. By the power of his holy spirit, let us daily renew our lives in prayer and love, tuned to his will.

Let us be a people who are renewed and alive
Let us be a resurrection people

January 22nd 2012

Do you ever feel inadequate?  Do you wish you were more beautiful, healthier or perhaps  you have a really grievous problem?  St. Paul would have understood how you feel. He  too had a grievous problem with which he had to deal.  He called it his “thorn in the  flesh”.  Down the centuries, we have speculated on what it might have been.  The fact that we have  never come up with an answer perhaps helps us to relate a little more with him.

As Christians, we all want to accomplish things for our God but we feel so inadequate, so lacking in  skills perhaps even suffering pain or physical restriction.  Paul received one simple answer.   “My  grace is sufficient for you”.  What does “grace” mean?  It is a short one syllable word which in the  dictionary includes a number of meanings including a person’s demeanour, the way to address an  archbishop or a duke to a grace and favour house.   The latter gets closer to the real meaning we are  looking for - either a house or apartment put at the disposal of worthy people by the Queen.   God’s  grace comes to us absolutely free too.  Our problem is do we know how to accept his free gift, his  grace.  We want to worthy be on our own.  God’s grace brings not only strength but love. Then we  have the job of not just basking in that grace but being enlightened by it so that we may move  forward in his name, not our own name.   “Whenever I am weak, then I am strong” St. Paul said it  himself (2 Corinthians 12: 10 b)

It seems that God deals with me by just dropping some project in my lap and saying “I am giving  this for you to do”.  When this happens in your life, pick up the project, nourish it, pray over it, and  strive for it.  God’s grace will up hold and nourish you in Jesus’ name.

January 15th 2012

The actual day (January 6th), the Feast of The Epiphany when we celebrate the coming of the wise men, is over. I have duly taken down my Christmas decorations and we are launched in the season of Epiphany. We know so little about the Three Wise men but many traditions have grown up around them. We do not know their names or even that there were three of them, only that there were three gifts. It is very unlikely that they were kings but the term wise men, implies that they were scholars and men of great knowledge especially in the field of astronomy and mathematics.

What can we learn from them? First of all, there is their lifelong devotion to a task either given to them or chosen by them. When they discovered the star, they did not sit back and enjoy the accolade. They acted and immediately planned an expedition to follow the star they had discovered in the sky. Matthew tells us that the wise men came from Jerusalem from the east. We do not know exactly where they came from, possibly Babylon. In any case, they had to cross a big dessert or go north up the Euphrates valley and back south again. No doubt they were weary as they saw they were being led toward Jerusalem. They then took matters into their own hands and decided to present themselves at King Herod’s Court and seek direction there. That mistake caused the lives of many innocent children. The wise men stopped looking to the star which God had given them for direction. They thought they knew a better way.

Let us pray daily to keep our sights on the star. Many a wonderfully inspired project has been defeated because we looked for other direction that seemed easier. Sometimes we do need a change of course as the wise men did. The last we know of them, God redirects them in a dream and they ride off on a new course. The biggest legacy they have left us is the message that Jesus Christ came to be the Saviour of the whole world, not just the tribes of Israel.

These men from the east were guided to find Jesus, men; women have spread, west, south and north to proclaim him. God has given each of us our own star to follow, perhaps more than one.

First, we must find the babe in Bethlehem and take him into our hearts. Then we will go into our world with our story, that others may know and love him. I think it is possible that the wise men left home expecting to return in triumph having made a great discovery. Probably they returned humbler men but full of joy. May we know this joy too.

January 8th 2012

We are now a full week into the new Year. About now, we have jokes about resolutions being broken. Let us now put all that away and go closer to our loving father as our days and weeks come and go.

First of all, let us remember that if we feel we are trying to be nearer him, how much more is he trying to draw us into his arms. Each one of us needs to consider the things that cut us off. I could start by making suggestions, but we need to recognize our own weaknesses and consider how best we can eliminate or control them. God sent his son to reveal himself and show us the way. He also gave us holy scripture. Let us turn then and read how Jesus dealt with this temptation. Matthew 4: 1-11, Mark 1: 12, Luke 4: 1-12. Note how the angels comforted him. You can experience that joy too.

The other thing we need to do is recognize the gifts our Father has given us. Do we use them to his glory? Have we honed our skills that we may be useful leaders in his kingdom? A leader is not necessarily someone in authority but a person who reaches out and takes the hand of a brother or sister and guides them. Perhaps he or she just walks along giving love and support with the joy of companionship. It is possible you will become aware that a third person is walking with you.

In the New Year, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of glory may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him”. Ephesians 1: 17