(Ir)Reverend Ramblings

In a recent article in the Toronto Star it said that, according to CAMH the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, while 72% of Canadians would discuss with others a diagnosis of cancer and 68% would talk about a family member having diabetes only 50% would disclose that a family member has mental illness. Also, according to CAMH, “almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem.”

Shame and stigma are big factors in mental illness and I feel that the church can play a role in helping people deal with that reality. As part of our Lenten experience this year we are offering three evenings on the topic of Mental Health. Tonight, our first topic is Depression. There will be a panel of folks from the congregation to talk about their own experience as well as a mental health therapist to share her expertise as to resources and advocacy. Next week we will have as our topic – Suicide. Do you know that mental illness is deadlier than a car crash? On the average there are 2500 motor-vehicle-related deaths a year, but “almost 4000 Canadians die by suicide” according to CAMH. The third week we will talk about “Family Dynamics when there is Mental Illness in the Family.”

I think this is such an important conversation to have in order to try and reduce the shame and judgement that surrounds mental illness. As one friend said, “With any other medical condition we seek help and treatment but with mental illness we keep it to ourselves.” Health and wholeness is, I believe, that desire of God for all people. If we can do anything to support people in finding wholeness I am for it.

Have you had experience with mental illness in your family? Is it something you talk about easily? What role do you think faith and spirituality play in Mental Health?

I am on holidays this week. I understand why God made Sabbath one of the commandments. It is so important to step out of the routine and the pressurized life that we live most of the time to just, well, breathe! I have been spending the first couple of days of my holidays puttering. You know – cleaning off my desk, catching up on emails that are long overdue, I even spent some time trying to organize the paperwork for my income tax return. Nothing very exciting but it sure feels good to spend the time on those mundane things. It is, in fact quite restorative to cross thing off the “To Do list” when they have been on there for a long time. I have also been able to do a little reading.

I love what I do. Ministry has been my calling since I was a teenager but every now and then it just feels so therapeutic to step away and just hang out around the house.

I have never been one to rigidly adhere to rules but I can see the merit and the wisdom, and in some ways I long for, a sense of Sabbath. Not the old fashioned kind where you could do nothing but sit and read inspirational literature but the kind of Sabbath that builds into life a time of peace and quiet. A day that calls for a different rhthym, a slower pace, a God space.

Tomorrow I am off to Toronto. A visit to the aquarium. A night at the theatre – also very restorative activities for me. Remember when I said a couple of days ago that for Lent I am clearing space for God? It is happening this week. Ahhhhhhh!

Today the daylight lasted two minutes and fifty-seven seconds longer than yesterday. Suddenly the days seem longer. I know it doesn’t happen suddenly but it sure feels that way. It has, in fact, been a gradual movement since the winter solstice as the sun makes its journey back to us. But several people on Sunday said, “Have you noticed that the days are getting longer?” This was said with excitement and delight and with a lilt in the voice. When I observed it to one person he said, “I don’t know why you sound so surprised it happens every year.” Yes, it does, but every year it feels so good that we can’t help but celebrate. This year the winter has seemed so long and cold it makes one long for sun and warmth. Today the temperature has climbed to single digits but it has snowed all day as a remidner that winter is far from gone. But, it doesn’t matter, we know that the sun was here for 2 minutes and 57 seconds longer than yesterday and in that is the promise of spring.

Psalm 65:8 says, “Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.” Maybe that is why longer days seems so exciting. It is the universe’s echo of God’s providence and care. All I can say is, “Bring it on.”!

Only 6 weeks into the new year and I have broken my New Year’s Resolution to write my blog on a regular basis. Mea Culpa (that’s Latin for “through my fault” and is an acknowledgment for doing wrong). I am not sure what happened to the last half of February but it has whizzed by and here it is March 2nd. As of today I am renewing my resolution! There will be more blogging in the future.
Since I last wrote we have entered the Season of Lent. It began with the quiet but meaningful Ash Wednesday service. Ash Wednesday is my favourite service of the year. I love the ritual that reminds us of the earthiness of life as well as the call to be open to God’s leading during the Season of Lent.
The 40 days of Lent (not counting Sundays) are to replicate Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness before he began his ministry. I think those were intense days of discernment, listening and being open to God.
I used to give up something as a way to recognize and mark Lent. There is meaning in that exercise, the discipline of resisting temptation can deepen one’s spirit. But this year instead of “denial” I am using Lent as a season to be open. I am trying to clear space for God – sounds ambitious I know, but I think Lent can signal a wonderful time of discernment and listening.
How about you – what are you doing for Lent?

(I intended this blog to be posted yesterday, February 17th)
I am feeling nostalgic today. Yes, those who know me might be aware that Feb. 17th is my birthday and in my small world birthdays are BIG!! I think everyone should be celebrated on their birthday and I strongly advertise for my own birthday every year. This year was no exception and although I usually advocate for birthday cards, each year setting the goal that I must get more cards then I am years old, (a higher ambition every year!) I decided to forgo that tradition and ask the church folk to, instead of buying me a card, throw some coins in the birthday jar and whatever came in by way of contribution I would match and the whole amount will go to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church. It seems much better stewardship to see that money go to a good cause then to be ploughed into greeting cards that will end up in the blue box. I just did a quick count of the coins and bills in the birthday jar and so far the collection comes to just over $330 so when I match it the M&S Fund will be up by at least $660.A pretty good birthday celebration I would say.

The main feeling I have this birthday is one of nostalgia. I have just entered a new decade and these birthdays that end in 0 always seem a little more significant, even though, as one person put it, it is just a number! To mark the occasion I spent a lovely overnight with my four dearest life-long friends. Really, we have known each other since we were young children; 4 of the five of us were baptized in the same rural church as infants. Our friendship has grown deeper and richer over the decades.

As I drove home from our reunion in Toronto my mind was wandering and all of a sudden I had an overwhelming memory of my mom. It was like she was right there beside me. I could feel her presence and hear her voice. Then I could see my father. It was a surreal moment when I felt their presence, even though they have been dead for years. I was hit with a wave of nostalgia and in it I felt their love and was reminded of their dedication to their family.

I am the youngest of five and have always felt the privilege of knowing that I was loved and that my love was valued by my siblings. I know it is not a feeling that everyone enjoys and so I treasure it. My family were poor and my parents scrambled to make ends meet but we were never shortchanged on love and the instilling of important values. And, what we lacked in financial resources was compensated for in faith and service to others.

I think one of the main benefits of a birthday is it marks the passing of time and gives us pause to consider the important moments and experiences of life. While in Toronto I saw the movie Boyhood in the closing scene a young woman says to her friend, “You know how they say, ‘Seize the moment? I think sometime the moment seizes me.” I agree and, on my birthday, a moment of gratitude has seized me.

I am sitting at my desk and even though the sun is streaming in the window I know it is bitterly cold outside. The bright sunshine causes the snow to glisten on the trees but the wind defies the sun and pure cold swirls around the corners. So I am dreaming of summer. This was kicked into gear because I am ordering the supplies for Vacation Bible Camp. That’s right, even though August is a long way off, it is time to place our order for all the things we will need to make our Vacation Bible Camp a week to remember.

Every summer, for as long as anyone can remember, Bracebridge United Church has had a summer Vacation Bible Camp. We usually have about 50 children and we are proud of the fact that we have repeaters! It seems that most kids, coming to Camp one summer just want to come back.

This year the theme is Everest – Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power. The curriculum offers that the kids will get to explore one of the most majestic, beautiful (and sometimes) dangerous places on earth – Mount Everest. Kids will learn to overcome obstacles and will realize that, with God’s help, we can overcome any “mountain” or problem in our lives.

The great thing about Vacation Bible Camp is that it brings kids together – kids who are happy, hurting, curious, doubtful, wonderful, wounded and weak. And, together with the love and support of our adult and teen leaders, they get to learn about God’s love and understand that God is a source of strength and comfort.

So, I am glad, that on this February day I can dream of the shrieks and giggles of children, the sound of singing, the delight in their crafts, the fun of friendship all enjoyed at Vacation Bible Camp. August will be here before we know it. Who knows, then I might even be complaining about how hot it is!

Not surprisingly I have been asked by a number of people what I think about the Supreme Court ruling regarding the ‘Right to Die’ legislation. This is a topic I have thought about often, but I confess not deeply, for many years. I remember asking at a National meeting, this was years ago, if the United Church could not come out with a statement regarding end of life decisions. The response, which I appreciated then and still do was, “In the United Church we believe in individual moral culpability. It is up to the individual to make these difficult choices. The church will not tell them what to do but will support people in their choices.”

In September, 2012 the United Church Observer, our national magazine had a cover article on Gloria Taylor a United Church member who was an ALS patient and who was described in the article as a “right-to-die rebel”. Gloria died of natural causes soon after the article came out and long before the legislation change came about on Friday.

My main response to the decision is that we need to develop good parameters and be clear about how the process will unfold. Also, we need to be supportive of our medical professionals who commit themselves to keeping people alive and well and who now will have to engage in serious ethical reflection as to how to move forward.

This conversation brings up theological reflection too. We value life, we treasure life as a gift from God. At what point do we make a decision that ends life? How do we reconcile that choice with our beliefs? It is can be a very layered decision.

Navigating the discussion going forward will require leadership. I am reminded of a comment by Henri Houwen, “In it’s highest sense leadership is integrity – integrity recognizes external obligations but it needs the quiet voice within, not just the clamour without.” As the leaders and decision-makers in our country move forward I will pray that they exercise leadership, a leadership that recognizes both the external obligations and the internal voice.

This week I went to see the movie Selma. It is an historical drama telling of the epic march led by Martin Luther king Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The year is 1965. The southern United States had been legally desegregated but there was still widespread discrimination and it was still nearly impossible for blacks to register to vote as the white legislators put up so many roadblocks. It became clear that public protest and social pressure was the only way to overturn this situation. Selma, Alabama became the battleground for this fight for rights.

The movie tells of the events of the three-month period leading up to the march which, after a few cancelled tries took place on March 25, 1965. It was a 5-day, 54-mile march from Selma to the state capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. This epic march turned the tide of public opinion and forced the hand of President Lyndon Johnson into signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

One aspect to the story that surprised me was the role played by white clergy and religious leaders. When the march kept meeting resistance from the police and local legislators Martin Luther King put out a call to his religious brothers and sisters across North America. They responded and many white ministers, priests, nuns and lay people came to walk side by side with their black brothers and sisters (about a third of the marchers were white) and their presence had major influence on the allowance for the march to go forward. It was not without violence and many, blacks and whites, were injured in the violence, some were killed.

The movie makes clear the range of emotions that come with such a public presence and the fear that can come from standing up to oppression and evil. I was left wondering if I would ever have the courage to take part in such a stand.

The phrase, “Do not be afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times. As someone wrote, “that is a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless.” Standing up to might, to evil, to power that oppresses is critical in the evolution of humanity but it can engender fear. I am grateful for the reminder to not be afraid.

Yesterday the British Parliament passed legislation to allow scientists to use the DNA from three people in order to genetically modify human embryos and thereby prevent inherited diseases. Britain becomes the world’s first nation to allow genetic modification in humans.

The British Health Minister, Jane Ellison told the House of Commons that “This is a bold step to take, but it is a considered and informed step.” The rationale to support this decision is that genetic modification can prevent the pain and suffering that comes with genetic diseases. But critics say it crosses a “red line”, with unforeseen potential health risks and consequences.

Medical Science has always forced us to wrestle with ethics. Is it ever possible to ‘know too much’ and to interfere with nature? Psalm 139:13 says, “You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” How do we as Christians reconcile the amazing and beneficial discoveries that come to us in medical research without feeling that we have crossed that “red line”? Every day I see people who have benefitted from the remarkable developments that have come with modern medicine but what is the tipping point when we say this is one step too far or is there such a place?

I’m curious to know what you think.

Today is Let’s Talk day. This is a campaign sponsored by Bell to encourage people to talk about Mental Illness. The goal to get people talking so that those with mental illness will feel supported and that by getting it out in the open the stigma around mental illness will be reduced. Through the program Bell will make financial contribution to Mental Health programs. This is the fifth annual Let’s Talk day.

1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. Because of the stigma attached to mental illness 2 in 3 will struggle in silence fearing judgement and rejection. I know through my work that many people feel that they cannot talk about their mental illness because they will feel judged and be deemed weak, crazy, lacking faith or unworthy. Those are just a few of the terms attributed to mental illness. It is a terrible feeling to be ill and not able to talk about it for fear of ridicule or lack of understanding.

In one of the video clips on the Let’s Talk website, Howie Mandel says, “If we look after our mental health like our dental health we’ll be okay. We all talk about our dental health. I would say at a meeting I have to leave at 3 to see my dentist. But trying saying I have to see me psychiatrist and see what looks you get.”

President Bill Clinton said, “Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.”

Here are some helpful suggestions from the Let’s Talk website…

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk’s campaign focuses on 5 simple ways we can all help end the stigma around mental illness:
Language matters – pay attention to the words you use about mental illness
Educate yourself – learn, know and talk more, understand the signs
Be kind – small acts of kindness speak a lot
Listen and ask – sometimes it’s best to just listen
Talk about it – start a dialogue, break the silence

“Ending the stigma of mental illness depends on building greater awareness, acceptance and action.” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk.

If you have struggled with mental illness what has helped you? If you do not struggle with mental illness what are some of the factors that frighten you or cause you concern? Regardless of your experience do you feel able to talk about mental illness?