(Ir)Reverend Ramblings

This morning on Canada AM a two clinical psychologists were interviewed. Dr. Carla Fry and Dr. Lisa Ferrari have just written a book called, Gratitude and Kindness – a Modern Parents Guide to Raising Children in an Era of Entitlement. It was written in response to parents who have come to them asking, “How do I get my kids to say ‘thank-you’ and mean it?” and “My child is spoiled – how do I fix that?”

The interview sent my mind spinning with the notion that gratitude is the opposite to entitlement. They say we live in an era of entitlement and I would certainly concur. It does not take long in most situations to find at least one person who has the attitude of “I deserve it.” I remember clearly, at an evening meeting, asking a man how his day had been. He said, “It was great! I phoned into work this morning and said I was taking the day off. Why? Because I can.” Such a statement of entitlement. ‘I am owed this.’ ‘I deserve this.’ I was gob-smacked. It seemed to me there was little thought about what his actions might have meant for the others he worked with or the public that he served.

Is gratitude the opposite to entitlement? If we are truly thankful, truly grateful, do we then lose that feeling of deservedness? I think these psychologists are on to something. And it does not apply only to children. They suggest parents have children say thank you in ways other than the automatic response of the words. How many parents have the constant refrain, “Say Thank you.” The good doctors suggest parents teach children to understand gratitude through action. They suggest having them – draw a picture, give a hug, or just take some time to think about what has happened.

Now, clearly in the line up at Pita Pit you are not going to hug the server, or draw a picture of your gratitude on your napkin (although you could) – in that setting a simple “thank you” will do. But I think it could be a worthwhile exercise to take a look at how we balance our sense of entitlement with genuine gratitude. And in giving some thought about how it shifts our attitude shift?

I like to tease anyone who asks if I do crafts by saying, “I feel making my bed is a major achievement and my contribution to beauty.” But I do appreciate the artistic spirit. Over my holidays I got to enjoy art in many forms. While at my sister’s I was able to admire her most recent quilt – she does amazing work with her needle as she hand quilts her beautiful, large creations. While at my brothers, for a family picnic, I was awestruck by his gorgeous garden. He has taken a bare, sloping yard and turned it into an oasis of flowering perennials. I was able to see the movie, “Far From the Madding Crowd” and was so moved by the beautiful cinematography. Last weekend, company for dinner came laden with a bouquet of flowers from her garden artfully arranged in a sealer jar, a perfect vessel for the swaggering daisies, hydrangea and mint. She also brought a jar of freshly made raspberry jam – truly a labour of love and art in its own form.

Last weekend our neighbourhood park was turned into a gallery of outstanding art as about 200 exhibitors displayed their creations to interested shoppers and lookers. The Muskoka Arts and Crafts Show is an annual event and has been a summer feature here for over 50 years. It is remarkable to me how people can take raw material and make such magnificent creations.

Frederich Nietzsche said, “We have art in order not to perish of the truth.” There is a spirituality to art, a feeling of joining with the great creative spark and melding our souls and imaginations to that impulse of life and beauty.

There is a bumper sticker that says, “Earth without art is just EH.” Good art has the potential to transform. Transformation takes us to a holy place. I am all for art.

I have been on holidays and, while I love holidays and enjoyed my three-weeks away, it is very good to be back. I like what I do and so it feels good to fall back into the routine and pattern of work.

This morning I met with the team of women who are planning our annual “Women’s Retreat” that is coming up in October. What a terrific group of bright and insightful women. Ideas and plans were tumbling about in our discussion and I left the 2-hour planning session feeling very excited about the time we will have on retreat.

One of the quotes we toyed with for a few minutes is, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” This comes from Mary Oliver and fits well with our theme of Let Your Light Shine. There is a saying, “Life is what happens when you are making other plans.” but I am a planner. I have a list of things to do each day, each week, each season and, yes, I have a Bucket list of things I want to do before, well, before I kick the bucket.

Part of my motivation in making plans and lists is that I like to accomplish things and then cross them off my list! Today, one of my tasks was to look ahead, by marking off on the calendar, all the things coming up between now and Christmas. It is amazing how many things are already set in place. This afternoon I spent some time talking over plans for our Annual Yuletide Reading. Plans keep me organized but mostly, I think, I like the anticipation that builds as I look ahead to what is coming up.

So, what do I plan to do with my one wild and precious life? Live each moment, enjoy each day, cherish those around me, and thank God each morning for another dawn and being able to put my feet on the ground.

How about you … what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Yes, yes, I know it has been ages since I wrote. As the pithy saying goes, “how time flies”! Here it is July the 1st. Canada Day. I have been wearing my red t-shirt all day! I can hear fireworks exploding otuside as the darkness of night settles in.

Originally, July 1st was called Dominion day to recognize that our country was called the Dominion of Canada. That it was called a Dominion came from the inspiration of the scripture verse Psalm 72:8, “God shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.” And so, today, despite cloudy overcast skies we celebrated all the goodness of this magnificent country we call home.

Parliament Hill had the ususal festive atmosphere despite heightened security and police presence. Thousands were there, the hill was awash in red, as musicians and entertainers kept the masses in good humour.

This is also the day that many immigrants became Canadian citizens as dozens of Citizenship ceremonies were held across the country.

Our national anthem includes the line, “God keep our land, glorious and free” and that has been the prayer that has lingered with me all day today. We have much to say thank you for in Canada. Fresh water, natural landscape, rich farm land, good medical care, wonderful education systems, and the list goes on and on.

Canada Day is a great day to recognize how blessed we are to live in a country that offers us so much. Be sure to say a prayer of thanksgiving tonight.

It has been a good week for planet Earth. Monday was Ocean’s Day. Also on Monday the G7 gathering made a commitment to reduce their countries dependence on fossil fuels. Okay, they gave themselves decades to do it but it was a positive step. Yesterday, it was announced that Pope Francis will release, on June 19th, his encyclical on Climate Change. Hallelujah – perhaps Earth can breath again.

In 2008 the UN declared June 8th as World Ocean’s Day. The ocean is the heart of our planet. It regulates climate, connects people across the earth, feeds millions of people every year, produces oxygen, is the home to an incredible array of wildlife and provides us with medicine and so much more. On Monday morning I heard their spokesperson, Ted Danson, yes, the actor who played Sam on Cheers, speak on Canada AM. He was both eloquent and humorous and I learned a lot in just a few minutes. He was here to open that Canadian Office for the organization he is affiliated with, Oceana. He said his work with Oceana is to remind people that it is “not about us but our stewardship of what we have been given”. He told the listeners that because of the current fishing practices using bottom trawlers, 1/3 of the fish that is caught each day is thrown back into the ocean because it is not the desired fish. The fish thrown away are either dead or dying. The bottom trawlers, along with over-fishing, destroy the bottom of the ocean, damaging the sea bed which comprise the nurseries and habitat for the fish. He said if we restore the oceans, and do it correctly, we can provide 1 billion fish meals a day. WOW! Current fishing practices are not sustainable and we are squeezing the life out of our fisheries. Saving the oceans is also about feeding the world.

The Pope’s encyclical, which will be read by the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, is promising to offer a strong call for action on Climate Change. Filipino environmentalist, Yeb Sano predicts the Pope will be “strong on stewardship, on economic justice, and the moral responsibility for all of us to be a part of caring for creation”. Pope Francis has a passion for the poor. No doubt his writing will stress that climate change is having a profound effect on the livelihood and living conditions of the poor.

Last night on the news they mentioned that environmentalist and faith groups are finding support from one another. As people of faith work to protect the earth because of their convictions they are finding great commonality with those who have a passion to protect the environment. Each group might come from a different base of understanding but, in the end, the passion is the same … to protect this precious resource we have been given, this ark, this home, this globe of wonder.

Take a moment today to step outside. Feel the good resilient earth beneath your feet, soak in the warmth of sunshine and admire the heavens above. Remember the words from Psalm 8, “O God, how majestic is your name in all the earth.”

On Wednesday, June 10th at 10:30am in 1925, the Mutual Street Arena in Toronto was filled to capacity with 7,646 people present to witness the formation of the United Church of Canada. (I am posting this at 10:30 to mark the beginning moment of the inaugural service!)

The service, which included communion, marked the union of The Methodist Church, the Congregational Churches of Canada, about 62 per cent of the members of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Council of Local Union Churches (located primarily in western Canada). It was the culmination of almost 40 years of discussion, debate and discernment among these uniting bodies.

Union came for many reasons not the least of which was practicality. As Canada developed in the west it only seemed sensible to build a “united church” in new communities rather than several protestant denominations each staking a corner. The United Church was born, like all births, with pain and joy. While some celebrated a new beginning, others mourned that passing of what they had known. Within my own family mythology is the story of an uncle who drove past two United Churches in order to continue worshipping in the Presbyterian tradition of his upbringing! The union was marked with growing pains as ministers and congregations adjusted to new traditions and missionaries learned the ways of their newly formed denomination.

Over the 90 years the United Church has held a place of influence in Canada. There was a time when the United Church held sway in political decisions. Those days are gone. But the church’s strong commitment to social justice does continue and most church meetings at the Presbytery and Conference level include a conversation about a justice issue that needs addressing. The United Church has also valued a strong tradition of worship, even with changes that have come through its evolution such as children welcome at communion, contemporary music, ordination of women and then members of GLBTQ community, to name just a few. And service in the community and around the world has always been an important element of our witness.

This year the General Council meeting in August will face very difficult decisions as it looks at ways to continue to make the church a vital and vibrant institution while facing declining membership and resources. Regardless of the outcome we know that the Spirit is alive and moving and God is always birthing something wonderful.

Today we say “Happy Birthday, Church” and pray for the continued good work of the many saints who make up its membership.

“What is so rare as a day in June?” James Russell Lowell penned these words and my mother would quote them frequently at this time of year. She loved June because it meant she could spend every available minute in the garden, that was her passion.

Well, as Rogers and Hammerstein put it, “June is bustin’ out all over.” The mingled scent of lily of the valley and lilac hangs in the air as those flowers give way to iris and peonies. It is a beautiful time of year. Driving around our glorious lakes and through the rocks you can see in the forest a hundred shades of green. Everything is fresh and vibrant.

On days like this I am reminded of the deep connection we have to the earth and all of creation. The richness of this season of rebirth brings a feeling of new life and renewal. The colours of the earth: brown moist soil, fresh green grass, sparkling blue sky, deep purple iris and rich red tulips, all serve as markers of God’s providence and the prodigious abundance of the earth.

June is “bustin’ out al over”. I hope you get time to enjoy it today.

The last Indian Residential School closed in 1996. That is only 19 years ago. For over a century First Nations children were removed from their homes and sent to be “educated”. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivered their report and recommendations yesterday. It’s hard, painful truth confronts Canadians and, in particular, churches with the sin of our past.

Justice Murray Sinclair has led our country through this process. He is brilliant, well spoken, and his gentle manner delivers the truth with a punch of honesty. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has held seven national events between 2010 and 2013 where they gathered stories from former students. The collected more than 6,200 statements from former students. The Commission also led a “Missing Children and Unmarked Graves Project”, in an attempt to document the over 6000 deaths of children at the schools.

The Commission has called the impact of Residential Schools Cultural Genocide. This morning in his interview on CBC’s The Current Justice Murray Sinclair told Anna Maria Tremonti that this phrase was considered very carefully as they knew this was the phrase that the press would pick up on and the phrase that the nation would hear. Justice Sinclair said that the Indian Residential School system was racism at it’s fundamental level. Politicians and church leaders, in discussing the need for the school system, regularly used language like “pagans”, “heathens” and “savages” in order to justify the removal of children from their homes in order to inculcate them with a European education and life-style. He said this process also produced an, “unconscious victimization of first nations people” by the Canadian public.

These last few days have been heavy with emotion as some of the stories have been told and as the Recommendations of the Commission have been released. Such a painful and hard history we have to deal with. One of the young walkers, who came through Bracebridge a few weeks ago, said, “The white people are locked in their guilt and we are locked in our anger. Somehow it has to change.” He is right and we need now to figure a way to move forward and to grow into reconciliation.

I am grateful to Justice Murray Sinclair and the other Commission members for their dedication to heavy and difficult work and for their honesty in the report. Now we must all commit to making their recommendations a reality.

Yesterday it occurred to me that I have just passed a milestone. May 25th, that was Monday, marked my 35th anniversary – of my ordination, that is. Yep – for 35 years I have been a ‘white collar worker’, a ‘servant of the Lord’, a ‘packhorse for Jesus’.

Those terms poke a bit of fun but I am sincere in saying this has been a wonderful calling and I am humbled and grateful that I have been able to spend my years in this work. Ministry is a wonderful, terrible life. It is a life-style not an occupation. It is one where the work is never done and the needs are ever great. It is also one where the perks include hugs from children, casseroles at the door in the busy seasons, notes of thanks, moments of spine-tingling worship, being present with families in the intimate and holy moments of birth and death and making a difference in people’s lives.

Over 35 year I have met the most wonderful people and lived in interesting and loving communities. I have worked with terrific colleagues – team mates in the office and in the pulpit, interns and musicians. I have gathered a posse of beautiful friends and collected a treasure trove of memories. Most of all, I have been able to dedicate my life to sharing a story that I consider the most significant story of all creation. That is the story of God’s love. There have been times of doubt and seasons of frustration. There have been moments of anger and tinges of loneliness but through it all there has been the underlying joy of service and I have always, always, come to a place of resting in God’s grace.

I started ministry when I was 25. I knew a lot more then than I do now! The years of experience have shown me that the human condition is one in regular need of assurance and love and that there is nothing more interesting than people!

So Happy Anniversary to me and to all those who mark the passing of the years of service in the church. It is a great way to spend a life.

John and Alicia Nash were taking a taxi on Saturday afternoon. The driver attempted to pass another car, lost control and spun into the guardrails. The Nash’s were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown from the car and both were killed.

Google ‘John Nash’ and Wikipedia will tell you that he “was an American mathematician with notable contributions in game theory, differential geometry, and partial differential equations. Nash’s work has provided insight into the factors that govern chance and events inside complex systems in daily life.

His theories are used in economics, computing, evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence, accounting, computer science (minimax algorithm which is based on Nash Equilibrium), games of skill, politics and military theory. Serving as a Senior Research Mathematician at Princeton University during the latter part of his life, he shared the 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences with game theorists Reinhard Selten and John Harsanyi. In 2015, he was awarded the Abel Prize for his work on nonlinear partial differential equations.”

John Forbes Nash Jr. came to be known to most of us through the 2001 movie, A Beautiful Mind. He was played by actor Russell Crow and the movie opened up to its viewers a look into what it might feel like to live with paranoid schizophrenia.

Nash showed signs of the illness in 1959 and spent years being treated, He was able to return to the world of Mathematics, teaching and research in 1970.

In the 50’s and 60’s the treatment of his illness was just emerging. But from those years to his death Nash lived in a society that, at its worst, stigmatizes those with a different brain composition, and at its best, pities them. Despite that John Nash did truly live with his illness. The capturing of the story in the book and subsequent movie gave people a glimpse of the implications of mental illness and Nash’s accomplishments helped us see beyond the illness.

John Nash said it best when he explained, “People are always selling the idea that people with mental illness are suffering. I think madness can be an escape. If things are not so good, you maybe want to imagine something better.”

We live in a culture where uniformity is seen as desirable. Young people (and adults too) do their best to fit in and conform. John Nash stands as a beacon as one who recognized his different abilities and embraced them. He knew he was different and he kept his individuality. He left a legacy that is even greater than his mathematical accomplishments and his awards. He taught people how to live well.