Life in the Village
My sister-in-law has three kids—ages four, three and newly born. They talk of wanting a fourth. Soon. As a mother of two and totally-not-having-any-more, I just smile and shake my head.
Life
Music, Movies and Books
Video It’s the fear of every organ – loving session in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Someday those darned hippies are going to cast out […]
The Kindness of Strangers
Last spring I walked a 100-kilometre pilgrimage called St. Cuthbert’s Way. It was a journey I undertook alone, on trails that were almost entirely bereft of travellers. It was quite an adventure
Life in Community
A very indignant woman was on my doorstep. “Madam!” she demanded. “Don’t you hear your baby crying?!”
Like a Patio Bear
When bears get into a habit, especially if it involves food, good luck in changing the habit.
In the Outer Courts
I was born into a Presbyterian family, have been a member of this denomination for over 40 years, have been an elder, occupy a visible position within the church. But I’m still a Paki because I do not look like a supposed demographic that defines the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
There’s an App for That!
App Here’s a silly little app suggested by your friends at the Presbyterian Record. It’s called Ordain Thyself. Ever wonder what it would be like […]
A Long Way to Go
After we said grace, Jack looked across the table at me and said: “You should know that I didn’t sign your call. I don’t believe that women should be ordained ministers.”
Army Ants and Civil War
Our oldest son, Ian had just turned three when we began our first tour in the coastal city of Calabar, Nigeria. Painful as it was taking him away from his grandparents, the Nigerians assured us that they would be our family.
A Lesson from the Dogpatch
“Ok, everybody, I want to meet you in the living room for a conference immediately!” I stomped into the house huffing and in a rage.
A Strange New World
Christian Faker As I Lay Dying is a fairly popular metalcore band out of California. If you have listened to rock radio in the last […]
Off the Beaten Path
If General Assembly represents the Main Street of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, then the Women’s Gathering and Canada are two of the side roads, or crossing arteries. Good theory perhaps; but like so many municipalities, the landscape is shifting.
Why Christians Should Write
For years I never wrote anything longer than a grocery list. I’d given up journaling—as a mom of three boys, I thought sleep was a better use of any rare spare moments I might have.
Technically Speaking
*&^%$#@***###!! Fooled you, eh?? That is not swearing, it’s me whistling a gentle, relaxing, somewhat off-key tune to calm my frantic mind.
Saying Grace
In two weeks’ time, I’ve got a lovely assignment. I’ve been asked to say grace before the meal at the wedding of two dear friends. […]
The Crocheted Cross
I enjoy my life for the most part, am grateful for my health and family, but at that time I was feeling that I was on a treadmill going nowhere. Nothing significant seemed to be happening. I was 61 years old and wondering if I was on the right track.
Intelligence and Beauty
The word “business” is bandied about often in relationship to General Assembly. But what is this business?
Being ‘Gaijin’
This is a special time of year to reflect on what it was like growing up as a missionary kid in Japan.
Da Boss Above
Church Skit Coming out of a church that had a skit every single week, I tend to think the medium is a tad overused. Still, […]
Life On the Edge of Sheer Awe
I squinted through the droplets of water gently falling on the garden. “My goodness!” I said, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”