Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Message from National Leaders


The leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a Christmas Message.
To view it, follow the link below

http://www.anglican.ca/primate/christmas/index.htm

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween? or All Hallows Evening?


For most of us, when we think of the end of October, that time after our thanksgiving celebrations, we think of ‘Hallowe’en’, an evening of ‘trick or treats’, of dressing up in strange outfits and parading or partying. In the ancient Celtic calendar, October 31 was the last day of the year, before the celebration of the new year festival of Samhain (‘sow-en’). Mary Ellen, comments on this in ‘liturgy training Publications’ of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“Being ‘between years’, the day before Samhain was considered ‘a very magical time, when the dead walk among the living and the veils between past, present, and future may be lifted. The lighting of bonfires, the wearing of costumes and masks, and leaving food out for revealers were all part of this festival that honoured the spirits, and ushered them to their ultimate home, and gave courage to those who may have been fearful on this ghostly night.”

As the Christian Church developed its own calendar of holy days often built upon local customs, using it as a time for teaching and celebrating their faith. The dating for Christmas and Easter follow this pattern, and so does All Saint’s Day.

All Saint’s Day, November 1, parallels the Celtic imagery of those who have died being ushered into a place of final rest, by celebrating “God’s harvesting into heaven the faithful of every age, culture and walk of life….” The readings for All Saints Day emphasize God’s ‘heavenly banquet’, God’s victory over death’ and God’s care for all people. (Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6). This theme of God’s rules and God’s care runs through the readings of the next few weeks, culminating with the last Sunday of our current church year (November 22), when we celebrate our faith in the ultimate victory of Christ’s realm of love.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

NEW WEBSITE!

We've been working on a full web-site for Trinity Church. Please have a look, and give us some feedback.
The web-site is a bit hard to find right now, as the search engines haven't picked it up yet.
This following link should work.


Blessings,
Pastor George Pell

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A St. Francis Reflection


St. Francis of Assisi… ‘Embracing Poverty’

St. Francis (whose 'feast day was October 4th) is known to many as a great lover of animals and God’s created order. It was Francis who first set up a nativity scene, using local animals to help tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Francis was also the founder of the Franciscan order.

One time, before he set aside his privileged life, his companions asked if Francis would ever be married. "Yes", he replied, "I am about to take a wife of surpassing fairness." The marriage he spoke of was to poverty as a way of life. Through his acceptance of ‘Lady Poverty’, he found his relationship with God.

A contemporary writer, Murray Bodo, reflects on this Franciscan sense of ‘embracing poverty’.

LADY POVERTY IN THE EYES OF JUNIPER, FRIEND OF FRANCIS, FOOL OF GOD”
“If I am truly poor, then I am dependent on others for everything, and I feel useless and worthless, and I realize deep within that everything is a gift from the Father. Then in this attitude of complete dependence, I become useful again, for then I am empty of selfishness and I am free to be God's instrument instead of my own. In poverty I begin to value everything rightly again. I see how little really matters, and I see that only that which glorifies God is of value.

“I have wept bitter tears because I was poor and had to beg from others, and I felt like a burden to people and to God ... And I have grown weary of Christ's words not to worry about tomorrow. But in His grace I have surrendered to God's sovereignty and providence, and it has made me free ...

“Lady Poverty, you take all the sting from being poor. In your embrace I am rich indeed, for I have someone to love…. You have stolen my heart and made me happy, and your love makes up for all the pain that loving you involves ... and we know it is all worthwhile because when we look into your eyes, we see Christ Himself.”

Few of us are called or would choose to embrace poverty in this way. However, Francis reminds us of the opposite danger, of embracing possessions in such a way that our thankfulness for other personal talents and abilities are not respected, and relationships with others, with God’s world, and with God become secondary.

Perhaps it is a holy balance we need….

to accept life as it happens,

not to long for want is not

but to cultivate richly our relationships and our personal journeys through this life


Monday, October 5, 2009

PASTORAL CARE AND OUTREACH TEAM

PASTORAL CARE AND OUTREACH TEAM

Trinity’s pastoral care and outreach team is based on the teachings of the New Testament

“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech,

but in truth and action”

(1 John 3:16-18).

“Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who

has none; and whoever has food must do likewise”

(Luke 3:11).

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from

god; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love…

We love because he first loved us.

(1 John 4:7-9, 19)

WE NEED YOU !

Please volunteer for our team by calling the church office at 250-724-4921 or pray for us

Volunteer Opportunities:

· Drivers

· Committee work

· Visitor Greeters

· Fundraisers

· Phone callers

Friday, August 14, 2009

Reflection

The Necessities of Life

We talk about the necessities of life… food, shelter, and clothing. Recently at Trinity we discussed how there are similar ‘necessities’ for the spiritual life. We need the food God provides (through study, worship, communion, prayer) for growth and spiritual health. We need to find our spiritual shelter or home in God, and in God’s family so that we feel safe and accepted, be able to find rest and able to share our sorrows as well as our joys. We need also spiritual clothing, to choose the way we present ourselves (‘clothing’) in the community: what colours do we choose; do we dress spiritually in modest way; are we appropriate in the spiritual clothing we choose. There are so many passages from scripture that could be applied to this way of looking at the spiritual needs of life, which are every bit as real and important as our physical needs. The question is: are we finding the spiritual food, shelter and clothing we need for life? And, how well are we doing in sharing those needs with others?

… Pastor George Pell,

Trinity Church

Friday, May 15, 2009

Lutheran National Convention


Lutheran National Convention
June 25-28, in Vancouver

The Convention is over, but you can still check out what happened!



For the first time ever, the ELCIC used web-casting the entire National Convention. Information can be found at www.elcic.ca


Also, on August 23rd, Eric Nernberg, our delegate, will share his reflections on the Convention at our Service.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Easter Video Message

Joint Anglican-Lutheran Easter Video Message

April 02, 2009 - The leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) again mark their churches' full communion relationship by issuing a joint video message for Easter.

In this short video, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the ACC, and Bishop Susan Johnson, national bishop of the ELCIC speak about the importance of Holy Week, particularly during this time of economic strain.

Since 2001, the ACC and the ELCIC have been in a full communion relationship, and several joint Anglican-Lutheran parishes and cooperative ministries have sprung up across Canada. Recently Archbishop Hiltz and Bishop Johnson have worked towards greater cooperation between their churches, even proposing the idea of a joint Anglican-Lutheran national office.

* Watch the video message at http://www.anglican.ca/easter

Monday, February 16, 2009

Trinity Transit Homily~ Life at the Crossroads



Life at the Crossroads

A crossroads is a place of intersection, and it can be a placing of meeting.  It is also a place of waiting. What will come next?  What can be learned while waiting at these crossroads.

In the book of Jeremiah (6:16), the prophet declares…

       Stand at the crossroads, and look, 

       and ask for the ancient paths,

       where the good way lies; and walk in it, 

       and find rest for your souls.  

Firstly, a cross roads allows us to stop, to rest, and to wait.  For Jeremiah, this is a place first of all, to look… that is, be attentive; be aware of where you are; and who all may have met at this crossroads.  It is not just an obstacle through which we must quickly pass, and just take any path without thinking

Secondly, it is a place to seek the ‘ancient paths where the good way lies’. There have always been those who we will meet at the crossroads, and who will offer direction.  In our modern world, we have maps that can be unfolded and offer us many paths, and we have GPS (global positioning service), which can track our progress along the road, and tell us where to turn. But even GPS cannot decide where we ought to go.  A GPS device, like a map needs us to decide on our destination. Jeremiah advises the traveller who has come to a crossroads to pay attention to possible directions. There is a wisdom in reflecting on ways or directions that have proven themselves.

Thirdly, while a crossroads is a place to stop, to great other travellers, and to consider possible directions, it is not a place to stop.  Hopefully we choose wisely a direction that can be taken.  Possibly we have meet others who also need to choose a direction from this crossroads.  But a crossroads is not a place to ‘pitch our tent’, we must move on. 

Jeremiah says that after choosing the ‘good way’, we must walk on.  We must leave the crossroads.  In walking the ‘good way’, we will find rest, and peace, and wholeness.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A Trinity Transit Reflection... 'At the Crossroads'










At the Crossroads…

(These are notes from a retreat I am attending.  I feel like a reporter, using my notebook PC; then ‘retreating’ to my room to review my notes, and prepare this summary!  If you’ve already read my first report(s), please ‘scroll down’ the page.  I beleive  I started the blog wanting to share Sister Doreen's words and thoughts.  As I wrote and reflected, it seems it has become much more my reflections.  Perhaps that;s good.  I would appreciate your comments on the theme of this blog,or thoughts or quesitons that came to you.              .... Pastor George Pell)

The overall theme, 'At the Crossroads' asks us… ‘what do we do when we come to crossroads in our lives?’ Our retreat leader, Sister Doreen McGuff, suggests that we need to learn to wait, a task which “is necessary, but difficult”

A theme passage for our retreat is found in a passage from Jeremiah (6:16) in the Hebrew Scriptures.

       Stand at the crossroads, and look,

       and ask for the ancient paths,

       where the good way lies; and walk in it,

       and find rest for your souls.

Crossroads are a placing of waiting, and allow us to hear other voices than our own.

Silence and waiting allow us to let go of our agenda, to connect with God, to connect with others, and with the deep places of our being.

Waiting is sometimes harder work than action.

There is a Zen proverb which speaks to the discipline of waiting. “Muddy water… let stand… becomes clear.”

Waiting is ‘paying attention’ to the present; it allows us to receive something new. In waiting at the crossroads, we receive gifts. These are spiritual gifts, found in developing a practice of waiting.

Two of these gifts are ‘Patience’, and ‘Loss of Control’

These gifts are in opposition to the 'quick-fix' mentality. ‘Patience’ is a gift calling us to ‘active’ waiting. 'Loss of Control' means we don't have to 'play God', we don't have to have all the answers, or be able to do it all by ourselves.

These gifts of patience and loss of control call us to ‘trust beyond the moment’; to create bridges of caring and connection. There is time to do this, when we wait.

'Waiting' is a place where we de not spend our kinetic energy; it is storing energy as potential; and allowing ourselves to choose paths that emerge in this time of active waiting. When we use our energy wisely, better results happen with less excess energy being spent. (In construction, there is a similar principle: ‘measure twice; cut once.’)

There are many life-lessons that we cannot learn when we move too fast. ‘Patience’ certainly is one.  ‘Surrender’ (another way of saying 'loss of cotrol') is another.

Surrender allows us to admit that we are part of something larger than ourselves, something we cannot control. The practice and gift of surrender opens space for healing.

It should be obvious to us (but often is not), that healing cannot happen if we are “barrelling along above the speed limit of life.”  When we come to crossroads, we can choose… we can connect; we can heal and be healed.

Waiting, and the active practice of patience creates opportunity.  In Sister Doreen’s words, waiting “is part of a process in which we can participate with steady determination and lively expectation. There are no short cuts!”

Session 3 began with an introduction of other gifts that can be found at the crossroads, at a time of intentional, attentive waiting (discernment).  These are the gifts of ‘living in the present’, ‘compassion’, and ‘gratitude’.


‘Living in the present’ creates space for active listening, being truly ‘there’ with others, and not overtaken by our own concerns, or sense of moving on

The spiritual gift of ‘Compassion’ allows us to share intimacy, to enter into and appreciative the story another person shares.

The gift of ‘Gratitude’ open our eyes to the blessings of meetings and events we might overlook if we were in a hurry to pass through the crossroads… chance meetings, sharing hopes, letting go of burdens occurrences.

These are all gifts earned through the practice of attentive waiting. 


A sense of sacred time may develop, when we are most aware of God’s presence, of 'standing in mystery'.

Deep and profound questions arise, not necessarily 'answers', and so, in a positive way, we become vulnerable, open to others, to God, to change.


On reflection, it seems that when we are 'on the road, the path is clear, the way ahead is known, or laid before us.  At crossroads, we can wait; we can choose our paths. Tomas Merton spoke of contemplative life leading to new possibilities and choice. And this is hard work!


Waiting creates the possibility of ‘letting go’ of burdens, prejudices, agenda. Rabbi Heschel insists that 'just to be' is a blessing. In waiting (being contemplative), we can appreciate and develop God-given gifts.  We can choose what we need for our future.

Sister Doreen closesd with two insights from Mother Theresa.  First, she said that if you cannot first hear Jesus in the silence of you own heart, you will not be able to hear 'I thirst' in the hearts of the poor. (Attentive waiting at the crossroads of life is important.)   Second, Mother Theresa said she never visualized the 'mass' of need, but only the individual person she could help and be to whom she could be present.

      

Session 4

In our final session, Sister Doreen spoke of ‘humility’ and ‘trust’. She calls them ‘spiritual gifts’; but gifts that are won through hard work. ‘Longing for God’ is a universal human quality, though we sometimes do not recognize our longing.  Quoting an ‘old’ axiom, “each of us has a God-shaped hole”, and our selves are not complete until we allow God to fill it.


Psalm 42 describes the longing of a deer for cool waters; and the psalmist sees this as a parallel to our longing for God. This is not despair, longing for what cannot be; but a longing to be complete;  for deeper contact with the earth, and with God.


What do we want at the core of our being (~ What are our core values?  What are our deepest desires?)  To discover these deep desires, we must allow lourselves to wait,at the Crossorads of life, and ponder.


The Annunciation (of Mary’s pregnancy by an angel, in the 'Message' version) says something like: 'good morning, you're beautiful , inside and out, with God's beauty.....”There are other biblical example of God’s love for us.  “You are the apple of God's eye”. “You are held in the palm of God's hands.”


It takes humility to accept God’s love for us! 


Humility is not de-basing ourselves, or our potential, but honestly accepting and loving ourselves in the same way God loves us.


Sister Doreen suggests that ‘we are all too awareness of our weaknesses; we need to cultivate mantras that affirm us, that help us to do the hard work that moves us closer and closer into the heart of God.”


Maryanne Williamson writes: 'our deepest fear is not that we are not inadequate: our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 'That reminds me of a phrase Spiderman uses.... 'with great power comes great responsibility'.


As we stand at teh crossroads, and seek the ancient paths where the good ways lie, we discover that “our thirst for God will not be satisfied by taking an eyedropper full of love and dribbling it over our tongue (we need to take a whole bucket!).” It is a gift.... becoming the glory of God for each other.


Our thirst for God will be satisfied, although it will be hard work... waiting... developing spiritual  practices, and receiving spiritual gifts


God calls us to be re-created, and God calls us to re-create.


At the Crossroads, as we actively wait, our lives change.


An ancient song to God serves as a fitting end to this yime of waiting, and sicovery:

     Glory to God, whose power working in us 
     can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine...' 

Amen

Monday, February 2, 2009

Enjoy Life

Recently, buses in Britain and now Canada have carried banners with  the following message...




One Church responded to this in a very creative way.  On Saturday, January 31st, in the Globe & Mail, a full page ad was taken out.  It included the 'problably no God' banner, but added a second option, 'there's probably a God'...





Both positions agree on 'enjoying life' as a good life choice.  We certainly have to decide for ourselves whether or not we believe there is a God.  But that doesn't change the reality (or 'non'reality' of God.)   If God exists, God exists whether or not we believe in God!  What Christians might want to ask themselves is if the way they believe in God is helping them to enjoy life, to feel 'fully alive'.  If not, it might be hard to invite a friend to consider following in the path of Jesus.

The ad was a part of an United Church initiative called 'Wondercafe'.  On the home page, 'Wondercafe' is described as 'the home of open-minded discussion and exploration of spiritual topics, moral issues and life's big questions.' If this interests, you can find Wondercafe at http://www.wondercafe.ca .

Monday, January 5, 2009

What Do We Offer God?


How many of us know the song ‘We Three Kings of Orient?’

The basis for much of this song are from legend that developed from the biblical story.

Let’s separate legend from fact.

*ORIENT Fact…. The visitors bearing gifts were from the ‘orient’. For Matthew that was important, for it declares from the beginning of the gospel, that the message was not just for Jews, who had long understood themselves to be God’s chosen people.  ‘From the orient’ declares… this is a message for all people.

*THREE  Legend… We do not know how many visitors arrived from the East.  The ‘three’ derives from the types of gifts that were offered…. gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts have symbolic meaning and we will talk about these later.

*KINGS    Legend… The visitors were magi, or astrologers,  not kings.  However, when we hear passages such as Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness  of your dawn’, we start to mix the stories.

What we know for sure is that the magi CAME to the place where they sensed God’s presence.

The magi were indeed ‘WISE’, for they knew they had to follow the star wherever it might lead them in order to discover God’s mighty deeds.

*They came to WORSHIP.  The gifts are gifts of honour. They ‘bent the knee’ before the young child and humbly offered their gifts as signs of devotion.

*The gifts they offered were SYMBOLIC.

‘Gold’ was a gift to be offered to those in authority; in offering gold, Jesus was being honoured as a king.

‘Frankincense’ was an incense to be burnt and offered to a god.  This gift honoured Jesus as Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Matthew mentions these gifts as they are they fulfil his understanding of the ‘gentiles coming to the brightness’ of God’s arising, and the gifts mentioned in that reading.

‘Myrrh’ was a gift of anointing… anointing of the dead. It is not mentioned in the Isaiah passage.  It is Matthew’s understanding that even at Christ’s birth, his death was being foretold and acknowledged by the wise.

These were the gifts offered by the magi. 

What gifts, of our time, our talents or our riches do we offer to God?  Do we recognize that when we support the work of our churches or other service agencies in meeting the needs of the homeless, the poor, and others needing support, that we are giving a gift to God?  In the book of Micah (6:6-8), the prophet declares that the gift that God desires the most is that we “seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.”