words. faith. identity.
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#blessed #sayings
For my latest column in the Christian Courier, I prepared a list of sayings in relation to the theme of #blessed, which was also the theme of this particular issue of the paper. _______________________ Let others declare your blessedness, and let uncertain silence be your response. A song of blessing can only be sung in…
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The colour of life – with Toni Morrison
My latest column in the Christian Courier. __________________ There are a few instances of colour that stand out in my life and memory. The warm red of a steel wagon that was a childhood gift to me; the deep indigo of a Fula shirt my wife (girlfriend at the time) sent to me from West…
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What you know doesn’t matter!
My opening reflection/homily for the new academic year at The Presbyterian College. ________________________ Let me begin today with what might seem a provocative statement. Let me begin by saying this: What you know, doesn’t matter. If this isn’t a provocative statement, it’s at least an unusual thing to say – particularly given where we find…
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The Wounds we Share – Remembering #JeanVanier
My latest column in the Christian Courier. ___________________ You couldn’t help but notice Jean Vanier when he entered a room. This was simply on account of his size – he was a big man, standing six feet, six inches tall. So just by virtue of his physical presence, he would likely draw your gaze. But…
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Touch, Sight, and Faith #worship
My latest column in the Christian Courier. __________________ A large wooden crucifix stands toward the front of the crypt sanctuary in St. Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal. While the crucifix is not central within worship, it evidently receives much attention. A striking feature of the crucifix is the worn nature of Jesus’ feet — the paint is…
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We should’ve just drawn straws!
This post is a reflection on the most recent General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and, specifically, on the ranked-ballot process followed as it worked toward decisions on questions of human sexuality and the welcome of LGBTQ persons. As the title makes clear, I think we should’ve just drawn straws… In Acts 1:23-26,…
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On the failures of a ranked ballot. (A thread unrolled.)
I’ve unrolled, below, a Twitter thread I wrote starting this morning. It is a reflection on the recent meeting of the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada—and on a voting approach used to help decide a difficult and divisive issue. (Further tweets added, based on a Twitter exchange with a friend.) _________________ On…
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Here we go again, #Quebec #Secularism
My latest in the Christian Courier. _________________ The debate over secularism is ramping up here in Quebec. Again! It wasn’t too long ago that the government of Pauline Marois introduced the Charter of Values in the legislature (Bill 60)—legislation that would have prevented public employees from wearing conspicuous religious symbols. That legislation died in the…
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Lost: In the Memory of God
My latest piece in the Christian Courier. ___________________ We’ve all had that feeling of disorientation at some point. Perhaps you are staying at a friend’s house, and in the middle of the night you wake up not knowing where you are. The room is unfamiliar and you feel lost. You look for points of familiarity…
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Quebec and Religion: Response
In the light of Quebec’s proposal of a new “secularism” law today, I share this (entirely appropriate and relevant) statement of the Presbytery of Montreal from 2014. Response to Bill 60 from The Presbytery of Montreal, of The Presbyterian Church in Canada (2014) The Presbytery of Montreal, a body of the Presbyterian Church in Canada,…
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encrusted words 