Getting Ready

Today marked what will be the last day in the year of the church calendar, so tomorrow is New Years Day in the church, otherwise known as Advent One -- The Sunday of Hope.  For a number of years now Advent has been launched with numerous volunteers as we plan and execute a family day.  Basically a fun morning with singing, crafts, games and cookie decorating.

This year we did precisely the same.  But one thing never ceases to amaze and that is the joy and enthusiasm of the children that come to the event and join in singing songs like the Lovely little ladybug, Up Down Song, The magic Words, Hugs and on and on we could go.  The more actions the better!  The enthusiasm is infectious and adults volunteering for the event can not help but join in the fun of song, crafting and cookie decorating.

It marks a significant gift in ministry to be able to share in these times and while there were many thanks today for having organized the day I must confess that I received far more joy and happiness from participating than ever seems to go in the planning.  Memories are created that bring smiles years later as well as in the immediacy and I still chuckle when I think about some of the "works of art" that I have praised through the years and have seen proudly worn for display.

The first Sunday of Advent with the theme of Hope shines through in such an event as we shared together today in the Congregations of St. Paul, the Middle Church and St. Andrew's on the Red.  There was laughter, teasing, joy and most of all hope that there is still good in the world, enjoyment to be shared together.  Young or Old or Somewhere in between Hope for a new beginning and enthusiasm to receive the Christ Child into our midst once again was evidenced today.   We created more memories in a hopeful and joy filled celebration today.And as we prepare ourselves, our homes and communities for  Christmas we are called to be mindful that the preparations are about receiving the Christ Child into our midst again. Have a hope filled Advent as you prepare!

Paths, Bending and Colours!

This was a quote that I noticed from a friend on face book as I trolled the news feed this morning.  Several pictures were included of a few obstacles that were encountered along the way that day!  How many of us wish for a life with no obstacles, an easy path to travel and pointless days?  Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your perspective, life is filled with obstacles and hardships that bend us, shape us and help form our characters.  We can choose in those moments to remain in that space and become bitter and broken or we can take the opportunity to turn it into a learning curve, an opportunity to have something good come from the experience.

I know that this sounds optimistic.  And it absolutely is!  The hope is that once the obstacle has been faced we can come through the other side stronger but in the moment when everything is fresh and an open wound then we have to vent, grieve, seek counselling what ever it takes to be able to lead a healthy life again.  It is then that we are able to look back and see how far we have come and look at the road that was traveled and the obstacles that have been overcome.

I often think of the story that Bishop Mark Genge told a group of students at Mountain Field High School in Forteau, Labrador in the early 1990's.  A man was out walking and he heard a click, click, clicking noise with much regularity and at varying intervals.  It was a curious noise and he decided to investigate.  So he stepped off the path that he was on and went through some fields and after much searching he found the source.  It was the cocoon of the caterpillar and it was working to emerge as a butterfly.  The man was fascinated and stayed to watch how the butterfly would manage.  After some time the butterfly was successful and he saw a beautiful vibrantly coloured butterfly flutter out  from the cocoon.  He noticed that there were a lot of other cocoons there as well but they were seemingly not ready to be transformed just yet.  So the next day the man returned to the same spot and sure enough he heard the same noise again.  He headed directly to the spot where all the cocoons were.  This time he thought I will help the butterfly so that it doesn't have to struggle so much and work so hard.  Gently the man began to help the butterfly and in no time at all it was free, the man was most unimpressed as a plain brown, somewhat ugly butterfly emerged that seemed not to be able to fly well and just sat there.  He could not understand what happened or why he did not receive a beautiful vibrant coloured butterfly.  What he had not realized was that by helping the butterfly it did not have to struggle to emerge, to find life and freedom from the cocoon.  The vibrant coloured butterflies are those that face the struggles, slowly and gradually work them through  and emerge stronger.  It is the struggle to emerge that gave the butterfly its colour.

Bishop Genge reminded us that the struggles of life color us, transform us and make us into stronger people with fabulous vibrant colours that make us the unique people that we are.  And while there are days when we will wish for an easier road to travel, to have the obstacles removed, and a smooth path before us we are also reminded that path will probably lead to nowhere.

So as difficult as those obstacles are to face, and as horrible as some roads are to travel these are the journeys that give us our colours shape our characters and add whole new dimensions to our personalities and through it we will be bent, challenged, face dark difficult days....but we will not be broken we will be more colourful and beautiful!

Leaving

The meditation group today listened to a talk by Rowan Williams (the former Archbishop of Canterbury) on "Leaving."  And we had a short discussion on the talk and what was said.  Leaving or Fleeing something can be  those things that are not essential but draw us in anyway.  It put a new perspective on leaving.

I suspect the title had more than a few people looking and saying leaving...where is she going now?  It has different tones when a clergy person writes as a title -- Leaving.  For some it give a sense of fear and uncertainty and for others joy and relief!  But leaving has a much larger connotation as the talk today clearly indicated,  It is leaving behind or fleeing from the things that are really unnecessary but that we seem to think that we can not do without.  Imagine even one day with out your computer, email connections or smartphone ... and the task of leaving can even on that simple note seem impossible to accomplish.

Today was a timely reminder in a schedule that seems to get busier and busier that going to the meditation group means I leave for a very short while and enter into a quiet space away from everything with a small but lovely group of people.  It was a timely reminder that sometimes it is necessary to leave and to find the essence of self away from the worries and concerns of world.  One statement that made the group laugh was when the statement was made that monks should flee women and bishops!

So it made the whole group think what do we need to leave?  What do we need to flee?  Do we need to go to something different?  Personally I needed to flee to the quiet and the solitude that this group offers, to leave the busy schedule and various commitments behind and in so doing to just be....be present in the quiet, to find solitude in the holy and refreshment to go back to the schedule ready to face its many challenges and demands.

What do you need to leave?

Light Reading

I have been re-discovering murder mysteries!  I finished The Girl on the Train a short time ago and am currently reading The Bones of You.  Nothing remarkable about that right!  So I have challenged myself, not to read a certain number, or only to read at a particular time, no I have challenged myself not to read the last chapter first.  And it is driving me nuts!

I know many people think that is just weird because it ruins the book, but I always read the last chapter first and then go to the beginning and read it through.  The clues make so much more sense when I know what I am looking for or supposed to be noticing about a particular character, or thinking no I definitely would not have seen that coming.  Added to that I get 45-60 minutes of reading a day in -- not bad right!  That time is spent at the gym pounding the cardio machines; so no gym no book giving added incentive to go especially when the book is one of those that you just don't want to put down.

Thrillers, Fantasy, Romance...whatever genre that helps take one away for a short period of time are always fun.  Add to that a  story line that holds your interest and you have a good combination.  All of us need that space from time to time to just enjoy a good read, relax or do whatever it is that captures our attention. It is essential for our well being.

Good reading is about not only the serious, educational elements that we need to read for our work, to generally be informed and so on.  Good reading is about enjoying everything, even the murder mysteries and romances, because then we know we are reading for the pure love and joy of reading.  So I hope that you are reading something gripping and enjoyable this week.

And No, so far I have not peeked at the last chapter but I have been sorely tempted on more than one occasion!  Now its off to get healthy physically and mentally as I hit the machines and get lost in my book.

Something Good

I am sure that we have all had bad days!  Those days where loneliness seems overwhelming, or we feel alone and lost in the midst of all that is taking place.  Sometimes we feel sadness for no explicable reason, it just is.  Those days are tough and can cause us to journey down some dark paths from which there seems to be no return.  Those days are also inevitable as I am pretty sure that we can not be happy all the time.  It would be nice but unlikely that we will not be touched by grief and pain.

I confess that I am an optimistic person and I do find something good in most days but not in everyday so seeing this post that "Everyday may not be good . . . but there is something good in everyday." is a brilliant reminder to not to get bogged down by the big things but look for the value in one little thing that happened during the day and sure enough there is a glimmer of light shining hope back into the day and into life.  I remember a particularly difficult experience that I had and after it was all over I was asked if the whole experience was negative and I immediately responded yes it was completely awful!  The person responded well tell me three positive experiences ... and with great difficulty I found three.  They were not easy to find I assure you but when forced to consider it from a different perspective the positives were there.

Simple statements that are positive reinforcements send our thoughts and minds in completely different directions.  Gurus in the field ask us to put a positive reinforcing statement where we will see it frequently and read it to give ourselves a reminder of the good.  Mine sits on my mirror where I see it  as I get ready for the day and it simply says "Remember to breathe" it is my reminder that no matter how overwhelmed I feel I need to step back, take a good deep breathe to calm myself and then carry on!  A positive reinforcement can be an important reminder to look for the good in ourselves and in each day as it arises.  It also reminds us that one day at a time is far less mind boggling than if we are looking at a week, month or year at a time.  That said I have just finished looking at my schedule up to the end of December ... and yes I definitely need to remember to breathe!  And I do hope that you have your very own positive reinforcement to help you navigate life and its may joys and sorrows always remembering that everyday may not be good....but look (long and hard if you need to) and you will find something good in every day!

the least of these

One of the many highlights of my ministry has been to be with the people in personal care homes.  Every month I take a service of communion in a personal care home and without fail there is an encounter that always brightens the day and sometimes much longer when I stop and think about all that takes place.

As I strolled in just yesterday those who are mobile were going into the gathering room where we hold services and others were being assisted by the efficient team of recreation staff.  Meeting me upon my arrival was an elderly gentleman who has rudimentary english, as it is not his first language, and he was so happy to see me there for service.  I was the recipient of a hearty hug and a kiss on the cheek.  That would be followed by him telling me he was so happy to see me and an apology "my english not so good."  I replied that since I spoke not a word of Russian no apology was ever necessary.  He is a regular to the service when I go and his enthusiasm and that of others to have someone come and spend time, do a service and sing familiar hymns is often the highlight of the day for so many of them.  Then on the other hand there is a lady who also attends regularly and her joy at sharing worship knows no bounds and continuously says I love being with you, finishes the visit with a hug and once more saying I love being with you.

I also realize that many find such facilities sad or depressing and while there are many sad sights there to behold I prefer to look at moments like these and know that for a short time someones day has been made a little brighter because they had a chance to worship, to see a somewhat familiar face,and share a little joy together.  I freely admit that I receive far more than I can ever offer.

Several years ago now I asked a fellow priest if they would take a service for me at such a home and they were less than complimentary in their thoughts on such a ministry.  Most don't know who you are, where they are so why bother?  That comment was followed by my usual sarcasm "one of these days it might be me in a place like this, and in this condition and I can only hope that some other priest will come in laugh , joke, and pray to brighten my day if only for a few minutes."  The comment still saddens me greatly.  How may of us get caught up in the fact that we may not be remembered and write off so many people who are in need of a few moments of joy, shared worship, a touch to remind them that they are valued.  There is much more joy to be found here than some may realize

• Henry who sang a fabulous bass when no one knew he could even talk...I never knew he couldn't
• The Retired Priest of many years who refused communion from so many but since he thought we were related it might just be ok
• The competition of two members from an adult day program for me to stand beside them as they sang hymns with gusto
• The person with severe dementia who shone brightly as she entered into the story I'll love you forever  by Robert Munch and determined that she would not want a child like that
• A former news paper buyer (I was the paper carrier) who thought I had come to take him home from the personal care home and whose favourite hymn was All things bright and beautiful and if we were singing it at church today he would gladly come
• The countless numbers who say thank you for coming to pray with us today and taking time out of your busy day 
• The joy of Boris because I came to see him
• The sincerity of Sandy to say I love being with you
• those who gift you with the opportunity to be with them at the end of life, to pray with them and to offer what little comfort and consolation that can be had

The last verse of the poem An Old Lady's Poem says this...

I'm now an old woman ...and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years ....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes,  open and see,
...Not a crabby old woman; look closer ...see ME!!

When next we meet people in those personal care homes who seem forgotten and somewhat lost think of the rewards and memories that they continue to offer and  don't  brush them or the facility aside without looking at the young soul that still dwells within after all we will one day be there, too!

‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’  Matthew 25:40

Who Cares!

"It doesn't matter who gets the credit...as long as the work gets done"  is a line that has become quite popular this last week or so when credit for this philosophy was given to R. A Dickey of the Bluejays.  I first heard this comment over ten years ago when Father Christian Swayne of the Order of the Holy Cross was leading an ecumenical mission in Stephenville, NL and at the end of the week of talks that he had given he concluded with this very statement.  In Father Swayne's context he was talking to a group of community leaders, specifically of the religious variety, and the community at large as he left us with these parting words to ponder.  R. A. Dickey,  in his context, was talking to fellow teammates and media.  The media latched on to the sentiment as well as some team members and it has been quoted numerous times since by either a team mate or the media, usually with the prelude... "as R. A.  Dickey says...."

Really it does not matter who gets credit for the quote but the philosophy that lies behind it is an incredibly selfless one.  Humans in all walks of life expect to get credit for what they do and when the credit is withheld or offered to someone else ill feelings and resentment are frequently the result.  These words are unusual words in a world where recognition is sought after and needed.  These words are foreign in a world where competition is highly valued and you want, or need,  everyone to know how great you are and how good you are at particular things.  You want to point out to everyone who does not sit up ant take immediate notice that these are my talents and strengths and due credit and accolades should be appropriately afforded. It is all perfectly natural for a  person to want validation and  feel a sense of worth for what they are doing   

This philosophy of R.A. Dickey and Father Swayne though calls us to pause and ask if it is important  to have all of the credit as a long as the end result is good for the team, for the ministry, for the community, for the people that are in need.  The emphasis is on the end result and not on the path to that result.  It is also an important philosophy when we consider the context of the world that we live in and calls each of us to honest self examination.  Can we adhere to the same philosophy?   We are  reminded that we cannot hold the limelight all the time, there will be others who share the praise, there will be some who obtain all the recognition but what really matters most is … that the work is being done not who gets the credit!  So thanks R.A. Dickey for such a timely reminder!  An now the credit for the quote has to go to....

“There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn't matter who gets the credit.”

chatterboxy  Ralph Waldo Emerson