450 grams of dry rice or some other grain. 50 grams of beans/lentils of some sort. 50 grams of oil. 5 grams of iodized salt. That is a day’s worth of emergency food aid. And this is what it looks like as one of three meals a day. As most of you know, I wasContinue reading “A Little Meal.. a Little Oil…”
Category Archives: Sunday Reflections
Mission: Possible!
I spent much of last week in an old church building, an Anglican church building, on Elgin Street in Ottawa. Not quite as old as ours, and the hall that we used was bright and cheerful with comfortable chairs and a small kitchen. I didn’t attend church on Sunday morning… 😉 I was going toContinue reading “Mission: Possible!”
If Only
If only, if only. Those were the two words that stuck in my head as I pondered and prayed about this passage! It’s part of Hannah’s fervent prayer for a son, which you are about to hear. This passage introduces her story, a woman deeply troubled by her inability to have children. And remember, inContinue reading “If Only”
Every Child Matters
You might think the title of my reflection is more suited to last week, where we marked Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Day. But as I pondered and researched the scripture passage for this week, along with reading the news reports of the devastation of Hurricane Helene and the continued and increasing violenceContinue reading “Every Child Matters”
Serve and Preserve
We continue with our series on creation, this week with a focus on humanity as part of creation. As I pondered this week’s readings, I was struck by the phrase: serve and preserve that is found in Genesis 2. Voice 2 elaborated on this by saying: I have been given the responsibility by God toContinue reading “Serve and Preserve”
Who Are You?
The ocean has always been a powerful symbol or metaphor for God for me. It’s the place that I connect with God most easily. Which is a bit surprising, because I didn’t grow up anywhere near the ocean… but the ocean means home. Whether it’s a warm summer day and the waves gently kiss theContinue reading “Who Are You?”
Families and How to Survive Them
Love. Hate. Alcoholism. Abuse. Neglect. Persistence. Poverty. The Glass Castle has it all… But ultimately, I think it is a story about redemption. The Glass Castle, which is based on a true story, was written by Jeannette Walls, one of the central characters, and her family. The movie opens with Jeanette, living a glamourous lifeContinue reading “Families and How to Survive Them”
Courage to Stand Alone/Courage to Live in Community
Bank of Dave is a 2023 British biographical comedy-drama film that tells the true-ish story of Dave Fishwick, a self-made millionaire from Burnley, England. Frustrated by the traditional banking system’s refusal to lend to local businesses, Dave decides to set up his own bank, with the goal of helping his community. Despite facing numerous challenges, includingContinue reading “Courage to Stand Alone/Courage to Live in Community”
Hear and Listen
Have you ever been a stranger? Started a new job? Joined a new family? Perhaps the first time you met your in-laws? What was that like? How did you feel? Disorienting? You didn’t know the ‘rules or norms’ for behaviour. The inside jokes. What about travelling alone to a foreign country? Where you didn’t speakContinue reading “Hear and Listen”
Trickery and Truth
Trickery, bribery, lies… the Bible has it all! You probably expected me to say that the movie had it all! 😉 And it does! One of the questions that rolled around in my head and heart this week was: Does the ends justify the means? Normally my answer would be no… but after I watchedContinue reading “Trickery and Truth”
St. James United Church Dartmouth 