The Progressive Reverend

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. Last year, on the first Sunday of Epiphany, the congregation had the opportunity to choose Star Words. I chose the word "wonder." When I chose the word, it felt like an opportunity to dream big, to invite hope into my life and this church, and to be curious about where God was calling me to lead Parkdale. Reflecting on this year, I believe it has been full of wonder. We pondered how to attract more families, so we created a Sunday School wing, and we grew. We contemplated how to make better use of the Sanctuary so it would be utilized more than just on Sundays, and we renovated the stage; this month, it has been alive with music. We considered how we could optimally use the basement’s education wing, and we found a perfect partner. We are proud to announce that Mosaic Montessori will open at full capacity starting in January. Now, I am curious about what it will be like not to have a deficit in...

There’s more than one kind of waiting in this world. And one of my favourites  is what I’ll call A dvent Waiting . There’s the kind of irksome waiting that feels like a waste of time: Standing in line at the driver’s license office. Stuck behind a dozen people with full shopping carts at the check-out line. Stopped dead in traffic. And there’s waiting that puts a knot in your stomach: Expecting test results from the doctor. Listening for your teenager to come home, way after curfew. Hearing rumors of layoffs at your job. In our organized society, where what we plan on usually occurs, we wait for many things with happy anticipation. Things like homecomings of loved ones, the arrival of a new baby, or a fun night out with friends. But in December, Christians can experience another type of waiting. Advent Waiting. As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during a period of waiting known as Advent. The Latin root of the word “Advent” means “coming.” For four Sundays leadin...