Lenten Devotion for March 19, 2023

The Good Courage writer for today asks the reader to think about who they know, who is acting with courage to make a difference in the world.

Today is Sunday, so I was at Harrow United Church to lead worship. I also had opportunity to chat with some people, who are doing important things.

We have a lot of active and retired teachers in the congregation. Teachers work every day to encourage, and inspire, to care for and educate young people. To do what they do takes so much heart. (The word courage comes from the same Latin root as heart.)

There were people at church who are involved with Project Hope, a non-profit that works every day to treat people with dignity and respect, and to address food insecurity.

We heard from someone at church today who is one of the organizers of a concert that will raise money for Project Hope, for the Harrow Food Bank, and for the scholarships Harrow United Church sponsors every year for two girls to go to school in Tanzania. That’s a long term commitment, and investment the congregation is making in their future.

During coffee hour I witnessed two women recruiting other women, of all ages, to join a women’s self-defense class that will be offered free of charge by the sensei of the Karate Dojo that meets in the church.

These are all important, heart-felt efforts to make a difference in people’s lives.

Lenten Devotion for March 18, 2023

The Good Courage writer for today worked from a passage in the 3rd chapter of the letter to the Phillippians. Here is a version of part of it from The Message:

 “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.”

I started running cross-country in high school. I was not good at it, but I liked it. It’s the only athletic team I ever “made” in high school. There were no try outs. If you came to practice, you were a runner.

I’m still not a great runner. Years ago I ran a few half-marathons, and full marathons. More recently, I do 5 km events, that others think of as races. I am happy to start, cover the course, and finish.

I cheer on the ones who are out front, and who will reach the finish line before I am halfway there. I cheer on the ones who are struggling. It’s okay to take a walk break, stop at a water station for a drink and a rest. It’s okay to go as far as you can, and be kind to yourself.

We are, all of us, on the race course and off, works in progress. We do what we can do.

The photo is from about a decade ago. My friend Mary Ann joined me for part of “Darrow’s Dash”, a fundraiser for the congregation I served then.

I remember running in the 1980’s while carrying my rather sizable and weighty “Walkman”, and listening to the soundrack from “Chariots of Fire”. That’s the movie about Eric Liddell, the Scottish missionary who famously refused to run in the qualifying heats for the 100 metre sprint at the 1924 Paris Olympics, because they were on Sunday.

Because life is weird and amazing, the congregation for which I ran “Darrow’s Dash” included a lovely woman named Heather, who is one of Eric Liddell’s daughters.

Lenten Devotion for March 17, 2023

The Good Courage devotion today asked the reader to consider what they give out of their abundance, and what do they give out of their poverty. The underlying message or point I took from this was that giving out my abundance is easy. Further, that which we give from our poverty, the areas of our life in which we feel lacking, is a deeper, more noble kind of giving.

The practical example the writer gave came from their experience of sorting cans collected in a food drive, and seeing how many from her parish gave expired canned goods. I’ve “been there and done that”, in that I’ve helped sort after two community wide food drives in our area.

We packed dozens of cardboard boxes with cans that could not be passed along at the food bank, or the local food pantry, so would be taken to a local farmer who’d feed it all to their chickens. (Apparently, chickens can eat almost anything.)

What does it mean to give in the way the “poor widow” in the gospel story gives?

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. ” (Mark 12: 43– 44)

Lenten Devotion for March 16, 2023

We have a St. Vincent De Paul Society collection box at the back of our church parking lot. I’ve noticed that every day I am at the church, the bin is full to over-flowing, and there are usually items piled in front.

Even at the height of COVID, when we were all presumably shopping less, and staying home more, every time I visited the church, the bin was full. This was a bit of an issue for a short while, when the re-sale stores were not able to open, and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Goodwill, and Value Village were all gathering more donated goods than they could process and were running out of storage room.

I think the community-based Full Circle Thrift Store in Harrow had similiar issues, when they could not be open to sell the goods that kept appearing in their loading area.

We live in a culture with a lot of stuff. I know that we have more in our closets, garage, and backyard sheds, than we can use, or actually need. We were amongst the COVID cleaners, who used the lockdown time to sort, order, and dispose of many things. There is a lot more we could live without.

The spiritual practice suggested in today’s Good Courage devotion was to “set a goal that for the next few weeks, you’re going to set aside one item that offers you very little. Maybe it’ll be a book on the shelf that you’re likely to never read, a habit that offers no joy, or a grudge that holds you captive.”

If you listen carefully, you might hear Lyle Lovett and John Prine backing up Delbert McCLinton on this rocking country song. The track also has some very fine Hammond organ.

Lenten Devotion for March 15, 2023

In the summer before I started my under-grad degree, I worked in the equipment yard for an engineering and construction company. The shop foreman assigned me a lot of jobs that involved paint. Spray paint the company colours on all those tools. Re-paint the lines on the parking lot at the corporate office. (An after-hours job, when the shirts and ties had gone home.) Paint the sheet metal fencing that hemmed in the equipment yard. (Including re-tracing the three-foot high letters of the company name, that had originally been done by an actual sign-painter.)

What those tasks had in common, besides paint, was at the end of the day, I could actually see the proof of my labours. (And not just from the spills and smears on my work clothes.)

The Good Courage writer for today, the Rev. Nora Vedress described taking a Covid enforced rest from her regular full and fast paced life.

Often, my first reaction when I hear or read a clergy colleague sharing on the topic of their busyness, is to feel like I am not doing enough.

It’s not as if I can look to a pile of freshly painted mallets and power tools, and exclaim, ” look what I did! “

The exercise suggested for today, to list the top five things that take my energy had a similiar effect- to make me wonder what I actually do in a day.

As I read further in the devotion, I could see the writer was working towards getting her readers to think about taking Sabbath, necessary and restorative rest time.

I wonder if I was the only reader for whom the devotion had the opposite effect, to leave me wondering if I do enough to “deserve” a rest.

I had to take a few breaths, and remind myself that there are acually things I do, that make a difference.

Lenten Devotion for March 14, 2023

The Good Courage writer for today, Amy Panton, has once again offered a frank, confessional description of an aspect of her personal journey. The heart of her reflection, it seems to me, is her coming to terms with thinking of herself as a person who requires yet another psychiatric medication.

I have several people in my life who have been greatly helped by the medications Amy Panton writes about. I am grateful they are available, and often wonder how things might have been different, if there’d been medical intervention and counselling earlier.

Amy Panton prays, at the end of her devotion, asking God to help her “survive another day with all of this anxiety”.

It’s a heart-wrenching prayer, especially when I recall the title of her devotion for today: “I am so ashamed”.

This suggests that not only does she struggle daily with anxieties, but also has shame as part of the burden. Shame about having anxieties, and shame about requiring medication. Perhaps even shame that her prayers for relief, or help, may not always seem to be answered.

I pray that as a society we can let go of the stigma that has been attached to what we often call “mental illness”, and the prejudice and shame that has too often been directed at those brave enough to seek help, or have dared to write or speak openly about their struggles.

I’ve been trying with my responses to reach back in my memory bank for songs that seem to speak, at least to me, to the concerns raised in the devotion. Here is a link to a Paul Simon song from 1983 that I always thought was about something more than he seemed to be saying.

Lenten Devotion for March 13, 2023

In the practice section of today’s devotion from Good Courage, the writer suggests doing an “Examen” of the past week, to reflect on the times in the past week you felt, or did not feel the presence of God with you. That’s something I’ve often recommended, in my spiritual direction work.

The Examen was developed by Ignatius, a former soldier who became a priest in the 16th Century. He founded the order of monks and priests called the Jesuits- they’re the ones with S.J. at the end of their names, for Society of Jesus.

There are many places online to learn about the Examen. Here’s a link I found on the Baylor University Spirituality page:

https://www.baylor.edu/spirituallife/index.php?id=971624#:~:text=The%20Ignatian%20Examen%2C%20or%20the,of%20recognizing%20God’s%20Divine%20Presence.

Children’s Story/Learning Time for Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Harrow United Church

Once upon a time not so long ago, like maybe yesterday, or tomorrow, there was a family. There were three kids, and two parents. 

April, the oldest was 12. She had curly blonde hair, and green eyes, and her favorite jeans had so many holes in them, you’d wonder how they stayed together. She also liked acting and dancing, and videos about dogs.

Juan Carlos, the middle kid, was 8 and ¾ . He had a light layer of fuzz on his head, where other kids would have hair. He’d been very sick, and the medicine to get better made his hair fall out, and it was just starting to grow back. Juan Carlos liked singing and Minecraft, and dinosaurs.

Ralph was 7. He was the youngest. He had dark black hair, and brown eyes, and his skin was the same colour as a chocolate bar. Ralph wanted to be a chef when he grew up. He had a new recipe he was trying out, for cream cheese and olive pancakes, but so far no one in his family would eat them.

Their parents were Mom and Mama. Some families have a mom and a dad. Some have two dads. Lots of kids have two houses, one with their mom, and one with Dad, and they have step-parents. 

Families come in different shapes and sizes. Life is interesting, and often complicated.

As April said, when people asked, “Yes, I have a Dad, but he’s more like an uncle. Juan Carlos and Ralph didn’t have moms or dads, until we adopted them. We’re a family.”

The family was getting ready to move to a new town because Mom had a new job. She was a social worker, and had been asked to move to this town that needed someone like her, who was friendly, and good at talking with kids. There had been problems with bullies, and people doing mean things at both schools, and the town was looking for ways to make things better. 

Mom’s new job was to be the school liaison. She would get to know the kids at both schools, and help the teaching staff make the schools happier, safer, and more inviting for everyone.

Mom was pretty excited about moving to a new place where she could use her abilities to help the kids and their parents, and the teachers.

Mama was okay with moving, because she had the kind of job she could do on her computer at the kitchen table- she made content for Youtube about video gaming and tattoo art, and people from all over the world watched her videos.

Their kids, April, Juan Carlos and Ralph were not so sure they wanted to move. They liked their old town. They liked their old house. They liked their school. April liked the reading club at the library. Juan Carlos liked the painting classes at the museum, and Ralph liked being part of the litter patrol that kept their town clean. 

These kids were not athletes. They did not play soccer or hockey or baseball. And they worried about moving to a town where the bullying was so bad the school needed their mom to help make it better. 

Mom and Mama and April, Juan Carlos and Ralph went on a weekend road trip to the new town, to check things out, to try to find a house, and to see what the town had to offer. It was especially important to the family to find a church. They knew it was a good way to meet people.

April was part of the puppets and popcorn team at her old church. They made puppets, and put on shows for the younger kids, and always made sure there was lots of snacks. She didn’t know if the little kids came to see the puppets, or for the koolaid and popcorn. It was probably both.

Juan Carlos liked singing in the junior choir. His favourite Sundays were when the junior choir invited the old people from the Senior choir to sing with them.

Ralph’s favourite thing about church was helping with the refreshment stand at the back of the sanctuary. People could grab a coffee or juice, and a cookie before the service started, and get more to eat and drink when they had visiting time after the church service. 

Mom and Mama and April and Juan Carlos and Ralph spent most of Saturday driving around the new town, looking at places to live. 

They’d found two different houses they might want to buy. One had a big garden in the backyard. The other had a swimming pool. Guess which one the kids wanted.

They went out for supper at a restaurant with a sign out front that said, “Family-size tables, and free ice cream with every meal.” 

They liked that place. April had the vegetarian lasagna. Juan Carlos had chicken nuggets and french fries. Ralph had the french onion soup, which he said was the fourth best he’d ever had. They all had chocolate ice cream for dessert.

Now they were out looking for a church. It was Saturday night, and they thought it would be good to pick a church to visit the next morning.

The first church they drove by was a big scary looking old building. Juan Carlos thought it looked like a haunted castle. 

There were no lights on. There was litter and old leaves in the corners of the front steps, and the heavy wooden door looked like it would take three people and a horse to pull open. 

They couldn’t get close to the building because there was a tall iron fence all around it, with pointy spikes on top, to make it hard to climb over. 

Inside the fence, beside the church building was a great big parking lot, but no cars. It was empty. Ralph said, “That parking lot would be a great place to practice riding my bike. I wonder how you get in.”

April said, “I wonder when this church is open, and what people do here.”

Juan Carlos pointed to the sign on the fence and said, “ What kind of name is that for a church? It says “No Trespassing. No Skateboarding. No Loitering.”  On the sign there was a picture of a video camera that gave them the uncomfortable idea they were being watched.

Mama said, “We should keep looking.”

The family got back in the van and drove a few blocks, and found another church. The first thing April noticed was the big rainbow flag flapping over the front door. She liked rainbows. They made her feel happy, and welcome. 

Juan Carlos said, “ We should look at the sign, and see what goes on here.” 

Mama drove the van into the parking lot. The whole family got out. Before they walked over to read the big sign, Ralph pointed to a small shed next to the church and said, “Look, they have a food pantry. It says take what you need, share if you can. I like that.”

When they got to the sign out front, they realized it was actually a collection of signs. It looked like lots of different groups used the building.

Juan Carlos said, “Mama, what’s Alanon? What’s AA?”

Mama said, “Those are groups for people who need to come and talk about some hard problems.”

Juan Carlos looked all serious for a second, then said, “That’s good.”

April said, “Look, they have cubs, and scouts, and Karate. They have a dance studio! They have cooking classes.”

Ralph said, “That one says “after school arts and crafts. That’s cool.”

Mom said, “I like that sign.”

April said, “Which one, Mom?”

Mom pointed and said, “Where it says, God wants us to love each other. We’re working on it. Want to help?” 

The family piled back in the van, and Mama drove them back to the motel where they were staying that night. As they drove, they talked about which of the two churches they might go to the next morning. 

I know which one I would pick.

Lenten Devotion for March 8, 2023

The Good Courage devotion for today works with the story of the disciple who often gets called “Doubting Thomas”. It asks what Thomas might have been up to, during the week between the first time Jesus appears to his inner circle, and the next time he appears to them- the time Thomas is there.

The writer suggests Thomas was out in the world beyond the room where his friends were cowering, for fear of suffering the same fate as their leader, Jesus. Was Thomas like a spiritual detective, out searching for signs and clues of what had happened to their leader?

I think that question, and any possible answer go beyond, and place too great an expectation on the story as presented in John’s Gospel. But it can still be a meaningful question for us.

Where do we look for signs that God is at work in our lives, in the world. Another way to ask it is, “Where do we see the Risen Christ?”

When I get worn down, or distracted, or doubtful about God’s presence or activity, it helps to go visit someone, or phone someone who I’ve not talked with for a while. I can’t claim to always be wise enough to know that this is what I need to do. My spouse is very good at nudging me along.

When I actually do it, I’m usually refreshed and reminded that we see the Risen Christ in each other.

https://youtu.be/lrJZgV1Ag5I

Lenten Devotion for March 7, 2023

We like to watch some competitive reality shows. Our current favourites include The Great Canadian Baking Show, and The Great Pottery Throwdown.

On the pottery show, amateurs are challenged to push their creativity and pottery skills to new heights. We grow attached to them, and it’s always a bit sad to see one of these kind souls eliminated at the end of an episode. We know they have a full existence beyond tv, but still.

There is another moment on the show that has some of the life, death, and new life vibe of the scripture that was part of today’s devotional reading from Good Courage. The quote was from 1 Corinthians, and it’s a fairly well known one about “treasure in clay pots”.

On the pottery show, competitors are often asked to complete a technical challenge- to throw as many pots of a certain style in a brief allotment of time. They are judged on how well they match the example they were given, the consistency in size and shape and stylistic features, and the sheer number of successful pots.

As they approach each competitor’s work area, one of the judges carries a metal bucket. When he sees a below standard pot, he mashes it with a quick slap of his palm and scoops the flattened clay into the bucket. Presumably the clay will be used again, fashioned into something wonderful.

We know it’s just clay. We know that each potter on the show has likely done the same to their failed pots, in their own workshop, many times.

Still, to see anyone’s creative efforts summarily reduced to be recycled is a little heart-breaking. (I feel that way about some of the sentences I cut from pieces that I write- it’s called “killing your darlings”.)

There is comfort in the assurance that beyond affliction and despair we have the promise of a life beyond this one. But I still flinch when I see some one, or something I care about being flattened.