The Progressive Reverend

  This Sunday, we're kicking off our sermon series on Queen Esther! We're diving into fearlessness, courage, and bravery—basically, the holy trinity of "I can do this!" As always, I spend the week obsessively thinking about the topic. I have so many stories and ideas flowing through my head.  A few years ago, our family took a scenic drive down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Naturally, we had to make a pit stop at Disneyland, the place where dreams come true—unless you’re afraid of roller coasters. I’m not what you'd call “brave” when it comes to rides; my idea of thrill is It’s A Small World. But this particular day, I had a moment of courage—or perhaps a severe lapse in judgment—and decided to hop on the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. As I stepped into the building, which looked suspiciously like an industrial electrical plant, my body immediately started plotting its escape. But I thought, “No! I’m going to be brave! I’m going to face...

  Hello Friends, and Happy Friday! I am excited about this Sunday, when we will have the opportunity to hear from Brittany Vine. Brittany played an integral part in opening Calgary’s first pay-what-you-can grocery store. Food Insecurity, food security and sustainability have been a passion of mine for a long time.  I grew up in a lower-middle-class household, and money was always tight. Although my parents tried their best, sometimes we had to use emergency food support. But for the most part, my mother spent the entire summer securing food for the winter in our one-acre garden. She would spend endless hours planting, harvesting, freezing, and canning food so we could get through the winter.  Before the age of 6, I understood where most of our food came from and the difference between fresh food and food bank food.  In 2002, right after grad school, we moved to a small town in northern Alberta. Our rental house had a massive garden, and I spent that first summer plan...

  Summer is suddenly upon us!  I have heard from many of you about your exciting summer plans.  I am just as glad as you are that summer has arrived. I look forward to going for a walk, having morning coffee on the deck, and enjoying evening fires with friends.  Many of our thoughts about summer come from our experience as students. Time is a significant commodity during the school year, with so many activities, sports, classes, and assignments competing for our time. However, in the summer, time becomes easy. Time is not won by labor but exists in surplus, and so it is far easier to waste time. We may also see Church and Church activities as similar to school and believe that we need a break from that during the summer. People stop attending church during the summer. Hopefully, you do not see your relationship with God as something that needs a break; it is only associated with work. Those of us who have always lived in a climate with four seasons know the joy and w...

 I once heard a phrase in seminary that has stuck in my mind like glue, "it is easier to sit with someone in their grief than in their joy." I have thought long and hard about this phrase. Certainly, as a community, we are always more than willing to reach out, support, and pray for those who are suffering, but what about those in our community who are celebrating success? The birth of a grandchild, a new job, acceptance into a program or a team, a financial win, a new house, a marriage, or even a birthday. Why do we not celebrate each other as a community more often? I realize it's easy to get caught up in life's busyness and forget to take a step back and celebrate each other's successes. Perhaps we don't want to brag or draw attention to ourselves or worry we might make someone feel bad.  However, God wants us to celebrate our successes.  We have all been blessed with unique gifts and talents. Whether it's the ability to offer wise counsel, a heart full...

 In a world that proclaims that the Christian church is dying, we have to celebrate growth. Here in Parkdale, we have much to celebrate as we welcome seven new members into our church family this coming Sunday. We have three new transfers from other United Churches, two new members, and two confirmands. While the church may seem to be shrinking in this secular world, the reality is quite different. The global Christian population is rising, particularly in vibrant regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This growth is a beacon of hope, a testament to our faith's enduring strength and relevance.  However, now more than ever, we need to find ways to share our faith and inspire others with where we hear, see, and see God. Hearing how faith has positively impacted others’ lives can provide encouragement and inspire others to work on their spiritual lives. Radical, welcoming, and engaging Parkdale visitors help people feel comfortable, heard, and seen.  The more we engag...

As we embark on the Pentecost season this Sunday, a journey that spans until September 8th, we delve into a period that may not be as widely celebrated as Advent or Lent but holds its own unique significance. It's a time that reminds us of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, equipping believers with spiritual gifts, boldness, and the ability to carry out God’s work. Pentecost is not just a historical event but an ongoing reality, a constant reminder to seek and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, strength, and inspiration in our daily lives. Pentecost is not just a season but a call to action. It encourages unity and community within the Church, reminding us to overcome divisions and work together in love and accord, all guided by the Holy Spirit. Pentecost emphasizes the importance of actively participating in God’s reconciliation and transformation mission through charity and social justice. Pentecost underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion within the Chur...

This week, we begin a new sermon series on the book of Samuel.  You may ask yourself how Samuel is relevant to my life today. We will explore this more in the next few weeks, but here is a sneak preview. The book of Samuel provides profound insights into human nature, governance, justice, faith, and societal dynamics that resonate with the challenges and aspirations of the modern world.  The characters in Samuel's books features complex and human characters who deal with jealousy, loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness. These themes resonate with universal aspects of human nature and show us the right and wrong ways of addressing internal and external conflict.  The books of Samuel are a beacon, shining a light on justice and morality in governance and personal conduct. The narratives underscore the significance of righteousness and accountability in society, inspiring us to uphold these values in our own lives. In addition, Samuel contains themes of social jus...