Author
David Kilgour

How Poverty Wounds the Soul

Glenn Inglis

Twenty five years ago when I walked through the Blantyre Mission, the school children would run toward me shouting, "How are you?" They were practicing their English, trying to get that pesky 'r' right, and they would giggle with delight when they got a response from me. Today, the children of those students look me in the eye and say, "Give me money!"

Remember the poor

communications

ENI – The global financial crisis should not derail progress that has been made on fighting poverty worldwide, religious leaders request. "When the powers that be declare there is an emergency, there is mobilization," Rev. David Beckmann, president of the Washington-based anti-hunger group Bread for the World, urged the United Nations Millennium Development Goals should not be forgotten.

Mary Fontaine and Hummingbird Ministries

Kathleen Bolton

Mary Fontaine founded Hummingbird Ministries in 2004 as a Presbyterian ministry of healing for the Aboriginal people of British Columbia's West Coast. And she was ordained this past spring – see the July/August Record – in Mistawasis, Sask., where she is from. Her ordination gives her new opportunities in her ministry. Many have asked her to baptize them, their children or their grandchildren. Now she can – the first person she baptised was her own grandson. For those already baptized as children, Fontaine will plan rededication services. (The Presbyterian Church in Canada doesn't advocate re-baptism.) Fontaine is excited about introducing the sacrament of communion to her Aboriginal circles. Feasting is an important part of First Nations communities, so communion is likely to become an important part of worship.

Gandhi remembered with violence

communications

ENI – Violence against Christians continued in India, as the nation celebrated the 139th anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi's birth in October. The All India Christian Council said in early October that 57 Christians had been killed in the violence in the Kandhamal district, and that 4,300 Christian houses, as well as 142 churches and many Christian institutions had been looted and torched. Often described as a prophet of non-violence, Gandhi led the Indian independence movement against the British empire through peaceful protest.

Presbyterian Gifting

communications

The Gifts of Change catalogue provides a number of unique opportunities to support ministry and development in Canada and around the world. The recipient of your gift will be sent a card in your name, and your donation will be used by PWS&D's partners to attain program goals. The catalogue can be ordered individually or collectively from the Book Room, and is also available online.

Don't Wait to Apologize

Rev. Cheol Soon Park

"Dad, why does this year feel like it's going faster than last year?" This was the question that my youngest son, Ted asked me one day. He was nine years old.
Does anyone have the answer to this question? Time really flies. Every morning, we are kindly reminded that the mighty Canadian winter is expanding its territory and we are moving closer to the end of year once again. Recently we have been flooded with news about the election, the crumbling economy and the fluctuating market. They make us worry or at least concerned. But I believe it is a good time for us to look back and reflect on the journey we have made throughout the year.

Tutu's birthday challenge

communications

ENI – On the occasion of his 77th birthday in October Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu expressed his continuing vision for "culture that espouses listening, of fellowship, dialogue, mutual respect and of working together across generations.

Mrs. Muddle’s Example, Part 1

Phil Callaway

I was only four when Mrs. Muddle adopted me for a week. With my mother in the hospital and my father needing help, she must have seen me pulling my wagon complete with a cargo of grasshoppers along 8th Avenue on "Prairie Heights," looking sad and forlorn. And so she took me in. That's what neighbors did in those days. Although I may have been a handful, Mrs. Muddle smiled a lot during that week. A four-year-old doesn't remember much. But he remembers a smile. I wasn't her first child. She had five others. But none of them seemed to mind my intrusion.

Married for a Wonderful Time

Calvin Brown

July 8th was my 30th wedding anniversary. On reflection, there are a lot of joys and laughter shared, sorrows endured and lessons learned. Three important lessons I've learned about a successful relationship in our marriage were all found in the Bible; but the experience of life makes the text come alive in a new way when life experience says, "That is so true!"

Youth Issue Online

Theresa Glithero,<br>via email

There is a wonderful article – A Connection to God by Elena Gritzan – on your September website, about the mission trip to Cape Breton. This highlights an experience for youth and adults enjoying what God can do for others through us and also experience what God gives us through different experiences. It also highlights bridging the age gap as well as cultural. The youth need to be encouraged to take a greater part in congregational life and this article may spark interest in other congregations and Presbyteries to undertake mission work involving youth and adults.

No ordination of convenience

Rev. Grant Gunnink,<br>Calgary

I am one of those ordinands who graduated from Tyndale and then went into ministry in the PCC. I would like to point out that I know of no one who gets an "ordination of convenience" in the PCC. The process I had to go through was akin to starting over from the beginning. Even though I had done my M.Div. at Tyndale, (which incidentally has a large number of influential Presbyterian ministers serving as professors on staff) and had done my undergrad work at Redeemer College (an institution of Reformed thinking par excellence!) I still had to go through all the hoops, guidance conferences, and take 16 courses (two years) at Knox College. (Which incidentally has professors from other denominational backgrounds.) In many of the course I took I had already done the equivalent, or more, at Tyndale. I would hardly call this a convenient course to ordination, but an important one in getting to know the denomination I serve.

The P in PCC, cont'd

Timothy Ferrier,<br>Chesley, Ont.

I am deeply saddened by Robert Ewing's misguided and hurtful remarks, in the September Record. I am one of those who has been fortunate enough to have taken my MDiv at Tyndale Seminary, and then to have attended Presbyterian College, under the very generous and grace filled leadership of all of the staff there.