Tag Archives: church

Some gardens (like churches) refuse to hurry

Posted on July 9, 2013 by

This August, it will be sixteen years since I was ordained and began serving in a pretty little church in Strathroy, Ontario. This year they are celebrating the congregation’s 150th anniversary, which means that when I arrived they had already … Continue reading →

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Ashes to ashes, parent to child.

Posted on February 19, 2013 by

Ash Wednesday is an ancient holy day in the Christian church calendar. It marks the beginning of the season of Lent, which is traditionally a time of spiritual attentiveness and renewal. We are reminded of our mortality as we confess … Continue reading →

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I am on the outside looking in

Posted on November 12, 2012 by

I can’t bear to drive by my old house. My husband tells me they have replaced the front door and painted the garage door white, but that doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that they have also pulled out … Continue reading →

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Purple haze: an Ontario farming tradition

Posted on May 16, 2012 by

If you drive past the city limits of many Ontario towns, you will see lilac bushes. Some of them are in lovely gardens of course, but many are standing alone in a field or surrounded by a tangle of weeds. They are often all that’s … Continue reading →

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Ta da! The community garden is now blessed and open!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by

On Sunday our congregation began a new ministry! After the service was over, we all went outside to gather near our new garden boxes that have now been installed and filled with soil. None of them have plants yet, but soon … Continue reading →

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What kind of legacy will you leave?

Posted on May 2, 2012 by

Here I am at Crieff again. This time I am attending a Guidance Conference, a retreat to help students discern whether they might be called to become Presbyterian ministers. I am one of six counsellors (four of us are parish … Continue reading →

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Explosive eggs: why my Easter bombed

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

On my Easter weekend, I created homemade bombs. Yes, right there in my kitchen, with some ingredients I had on hand, I concocted small packets meant to be thrown at a target. Upon impact, they will explode, sending their contents far and wide. … Continue reading →

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Walking memories

Posted on April 3, 2012 by

I love labyrinths. They come in all shapes and sizes, both ancient and modern, and have a rich global history. Walking the labyrinth is a helpful spiritual practice for me. My feet take up the slow, steady guided steps, leaving my mind … Continue reading →

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A plant with guts

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

Coming home from church last week my daughter said, “Mom, do you know those purple flowers outside the window in your office? They’re blooming!”  I thought that it was a sign of mild weather. The large carpet of vinca minor (also called periwinkle or … Continue reading →

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The cat came back the very next day

Posted on October 7, 2011 by

A few weeks ago as I was walking up the sidewalk to the church, I saw a cat. She was yellow and sleek with clean fur and very blue eyes. I didn’t think too much about it, although I did wonder where … Continue reading →

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