Guelph Elora Community of Christ

Friday, July 31, 2026

News and Views

Send questions and comments to
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This Week

Sunday Sept 13, 10:30 communion at Marden

Wednesday Sept 16, no Discussion this week

For future plans see the >> Meetings << page.

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The Foyer

Back to School
Well, we’re not exactly “back to school” but we are thinking about gathering back, getting organized and resetting our goals and objectives for the new season.

Our leadership team met together this week, firmed up our fall schedule and looked at some of the things we’d already planned that needed some finalizing before we look at a new calendar and budget. 2027 is not that far off.

I’ve also been thinking it might be good for us to review some advice we received last year from our world church leadership. Do you remember that letter? I had to go looking for it, way back in February but I was glad I did. It’s still very relevant and bears a new look as we launch this new season, perhaps with new resolve.

“As a prophetic people we are called to engage in deep discernment and prophetic imagination in a complex time. Because we are a global church the grief of one community is the grief of us all.” We’re living in tough times. This becomes truer every day. We wonder how we can, how we should respond. Then comes the part I love: “We believe the most transformative voice of the church is the bold local action of a people set on fire by the Holy Spirit.

The First Presidency seeks to empower prophetic people who act for justice and peace wherever they live and serve. “We are not a community who wait for permission to act. We are A movement of disciples who — Follow the Spirit into the Breach Embody radical Non-violence Wrestle for Unity, not Uniformity Speak in Local Contexts”.

Now THAT is a challenge and a Vision to live up to. Can we do it?

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Archive

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Politics?

This week I have been busy listening to by-election results. Lots of issues, causes and analysis. Then in the middle of it a massive summer storm and one more reason to look at local politicians and candidates’ responses; what did they do? What did the they say they’d do? How did we fare? What about our neighbours? What about our un- housed neighbours?

These are my thoughts as we approach municipal election season.

I’ve been searching out platforms and voting records wherever I could. Facebook and websites where available. Old news reporting, personal experience of friends in-the-know are all things I’m checking.

And these are some things I look for.

I want representatives who care about my community like I do. I’m listening for compassion and grace and generosity towards minorities and marginalized folk; because our town has plenty of both.

I want evidence of concern for green space, both for quality of life and sustainability.

I want programs and investment in children and families, services like libraries and parks, free and affordable as well as accessible to otherly abled, having joined this group myself as I’m aging.

I watch for “dog whistle” words. Some candidates speak first about cutting my taxes, keeping my streets safe, removing unsavoury sights from my downtown. Referring to “those people” in ways that arouse fear or feelings of scarcity.

I’m suspicious of campaigns that appear to consist of clever videos and talking points low on policy and priorities and high on “I’m a nice guy and I’m on your side. Vote for Me!”

We’ve had some of these conversations in our group. We’ve asked questions as to what our attitude towards politics should be. It seems to me that people called to promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace must care about and be engaged in election campaigns. This is how our communities work. Values are expressed, issues resolved, disagreements worked out. Our enduring principles really help here. I’m listening for words that remind me of them. Grace and generosity, unity in diversity, sacredness of creation, worth of all persons… But it does take time and attention to stay engaged. There’s work to do if I’m going to be the kind of citizen I want to be. I hope you’ll join me.

How We Got Here, Continued

This morning I’m recalling the excruciating experience of packing up and moving out of our church building. If you’ve ever moved houses you may be able to imagine what that was like. A hundred years of stuff: old hymnals, generations of donated books, pageant costumes and props, candles, artificial flowers, and boxes and boxes of paper! And of course the chairs, the kitchen dishes, kettles, pots, pans and tableware…

But that’s not what I wanted to share today. The next critical question, what was really essential to our new, nomadic existence? John would keep the communion service, Ed would carry the bag of hymn books, I transport the peace candle and table runner. Sharon has the offering plate and the change-for-change jar. She can also put together a coffee time with almost no notice.

More important than this list was the next one. What assets could we bring that took up no space at all? This was an important conversation. What was coming with us that didn’t need any tote bags but would be essential to our future success. Here’s the list we came up with. * Hope * Friendship * Our history, our stories * A strong sense of calling, our mission * the Enduring Principles Today we looked at this list and thought about how we did, how the list had served us. We added a couple more things, * a positive attitude * curiosity

Living with this list we’ve got outside lots more. We’ve found many allies and friends with similar values. We’re better at noticing the Holy Spirit at work in our community. We’re so much more inclined to DO something about the things we value than just talk about them. “The sacredness of creation” which used to be something to sing a hymn and pray for is now something to go out to enjoy, but also to protest for, to write a letter to a politician or sign a petition. We’ve done more research, searched out advocates, deepened our commitment.

Of course all these things could have happened inside a building and we don’t say everyone must sell their churches but for us this is how it worked. We do recommend everyone occasionally revisit your origins and priorities. It can be energizing. Pay special attention to that list of invisible assets that give life to any group. Onward!

How did we get here?

As we are preparing to launch a new season of regular gatherings of our congregation, it feels like the right time for a little backward glance and a reminder about where we’ve come from. Also, folks continue to ask how we did it. What questions did we ask, what was our process to move from a century old, traditional established congregation at #8 Mitchell Street to our current nomadic state with a new, but clear identity, mission plan and path forward?

I recall another summer season we gathered in a circle in our old parking lot, beside the community garden and talked about who we were, who we wanted to be, what were our priorities. How could we continue to be a viable congregation without that building? What could we preserve and what could we do without? Where was our commitment if it wasn’t to the building?

Many, many conversations later our mission emerged. We pushed each other to clarify who we really are, how that will look in this community; what would we do to live our mission and remain visible to our neighbours? A plan was emerging. Seeds for actual projects began to take root, took on parameters, champions stepped forward and put goals before us with budget amounts.

We were at the same time polishing our identity as a worshipping community. Our numbers, our ages and energy levels meant we needed new ways of gathering. Less “sermon-centred” more collaboration and participation. Putting all these pieces together on paper for review and more conversation (we talk a lot)and we had a mission plan, properly integrated with a budget and we were off!

There has been some evolution over the three years that followed but we’ve followed our plan and enjoyed the journey. We feel happy about the causes we’ve supported and the bonds that tie us even more tightly together and to our community. Now enough backward stories. Follow us here for what comes next in this life as the Guelph Elora Community of Christ.

Not much chatter

in the foyer today. We’re deep into summer and our little group is scattered far and wide. Those still at home are consumed with enjoying or escaping the heat, harvesting the beginnings of the garden’s produce , or searching out the truly perfect peach. As I munch on this excellent ear of sweet corn I’m starting to think about plans for the Guelph/ Elora group when we reassemble in September but it’s too early to share just yet. I hope you’re having a good summer and looking forward to meeting soon. Bring your ideas for our mission, what you’ve learned or who you met on your travels. Many and varied conversations will inevitably follow and there will surely be some interesting topics happening in the Foyer. Stay tuned.

Welcome Visitor
This week our discussion group welcomed Brian Carwana, the director of Encounter World Religions to join our conversation. We always appreciate his company , his breadth of knowledge and the ease with which he shares the most interesting information about the eastern religions. We’ll have plenty to talk about over the next few sessions: Religion, that most human thing shared by everyone everywhere.

If you haven’t met Brian, or you’d just like a reminder of what he does, here is his blog. It’s particularly significant in this hiatus time for us in the Guelph Elora congregation. It’s called “The Value of Pausing.”

Bible stories

Were Bible stories a part of your childhood? Did you cheer for the boy David who knocked out the giant Goliath with his slingshot? “POW” right between the eyes! Did you identify with the people escaping from Egypt and watching Pharaoh’s army drowned as the Red Sea rushed back to cover them. Maybe you preferred notions of big sister Miriam watching over baby Moses hoping the princess would find him and rescue him and live happily ever after.

Remember all those animals piling into Noah’s ark. If you didn’t have that toy, hundreds of former generations of children did. For generations of children it was the only toy deemed appropriate for Sabbath play.

What did we learn from Bible stories? How did we learn? What do we do with those stories and their impact today? Or does it even matter? Maybe you were the kid who relished the heroism, the excitement, even the violence of the stories? Or were you the kid who thought about all those drowning soldiers who were just following orders. And what about the whole population and all the animals that didn’t make it onto the boat? The rainbow didn’t mean anything for them.

And all the favourites in Bible stories: Jacob over Esau, Joseph over everybody, Daniel, Ruth… No wonder Jesus’ disciples argued over who was greatest.

This is how our mid-week discussions go. We start with a question or two and end with many, many more. The Bible story topic led us to thinking about how we view the Bible. How do we find guidance in this ancient text for our time? We acknowledge that it’s so very important not to just lift out a text and pick out a plot. We need to dig deeper. Look at context. Reject the obvious, explore our reactions, consider where we find value, recall the enduring principles.

I realize now I could go on and on. (We did go on and on last Wednesday.) This is one way our congregation deals with scripture. Not many “answers” but lots of intention. Not many “sermons” but lots of conversation.

Not In The Garden

For the third morning I’ve stood inside my patio doors with my coffee. Normally I would step outside and begin my morning visit to my garden. It’s come to that amazing stage of glorious bloom. Day lilies and shasta daisies, hollyhocks and cone flowers, spectacular flower planters with coleus, petunias… Oh I could go on and on. Even the prickly pear cactus is at its peak with an explosion of yellow flowers.

I know will only last a very few days. And I really can only imagine them as I’m confined by smoke-filled air to my inside space. I have no answers to offer this morning, only questions.

Our discussion this week was about “choices.” Our choices make a difference. It’s important to engage, to think critically about things and to use our “free will” to make the best decisions about what to do in any given situation. Our choices matter just as the choices of others affect us.

You see where I’m going with this, don’t you? What choices can I make this morning? I can sit in my comfortable, air conditioned house and think about the people affected by choices I’ve made or not made that have brought us to this place. I feel very remote and separate and yet I at the same time I’m also aware of how connected we are.

My own brother was canoeing in the wilderness and needed to be rescued by a helicopter from a rock in a lake near Armstrong in northern Ontario. I’ll not share more of the scary details. He’s safe. But as I think about his story I can’t help but imagine all the other people not so lucky. I think of the families and whole communities who’ve also lost their cars and canoes. But who’ve lost their homes, their lives. Then i think of the animals, the birds and the bunnies and the bears. I think of the trees, the acres of forest, home to insects, snakes, squirrels and others.

The loss is so much bigger than I can imagine. I should be wrapping up this essay with some wise bit of insight. But I have none. I believe our choices matter but today I can only think of all the wrong choices that have brought us here. Where do we go from here? One day the air will clear and I can get back to my garden. But I and we will face new choices. I hope they will be good ones; choices that remember we are all connected to each other and the whole sacred creation.

God in the hymn book

Dorothy sent us to the hymnal at our discussion group this week. We were looking for hymns that best express our own concept of God and what it means to follow Jesus. Needless to say a rich conversation followed. I’m not even going to try to summarize it for you. Instead I offer this hymn, #4 in Community of Christ Sings.

It’s a hymn that was new to me! But a hymn that speaks to just how impossible it is to find any “one” way to express God’s identity no matter how we try. “Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud”.

Source and Sovereign , Rock, and Cloud ,

Fortress, Fountain, Shelter, Light,

Judge, Defender , Mercy, Might,

Life whose life all life endows.

Word and Wisdom , Root and Vine,

Shepherd , Saviour, Servant, Lamb,

Well and Water, Bread and Wine,

Way who leads us to I AM.

Storm and Stillness , Breath and Dove ,

Thunder, Tempest, Wind and Fire,

Comfort, Comforter, Presence, Love,

energies that never tire.

And the refrain:

May the church at prayer recall

that no single heavenly name,

but the truth behind them all

is the God we all proclaim.

Words: Thomas H. Troeger, b.1945

Friday, July 3, 2026

News and Views

The Answer Is Community

I’m finding myself today thinking about the blessings of community. Now, of course, that is one of the “enduring principles” but I’m not sure we realize just how significant—and huge it is.

Oh of course we acknowledge how wonderful it is to belong to a group of friends we can count on . Just how important it is to have a supportive community when we need a friend who’ll drive us to church or to the doctor, someone who always has time to chat when we’re feeling lonely, someone who really cares how we’re doing after a bout of flu, or a heart attack. And those are indeed legitimate examples of the blessings of community.

But there’s more.
One community that blesses me every week is our discussion group. Some topics we talk about can get pretty serious. So many big questions! The climate emergency, the affordability crisis, political uncertainty, unrelenting news coverage of every kind of tragedy appear to give us no peace. I think we’ve tackled them all at one time or other.We’ve looked for hope and we’ve discovered that hope comes from action.

One important thing we’ve learned is that no matter how big the issue, somewhere there is a community, or more than one community at work on the problem. One person can’t do much when the issue is as big as the whole world. And yet there is no problem that can’t be made better by a determined community working collaboratively and creatively together.

It takes work to find them. But doing that work is part of the process. If you care about something get to work , do the research, dig into the back stories. Make the calls, check out the web sites. Remember your objective is to find the community who cares about it too, who’s already doing something. Then join them in whatever way you can.

Whatever the question, however complex, the answer is “Community.”

Oh and I should also mention. When you find them you’ll also find folks who care when you’re laid up after surgery or need a drive to a meeting. Those are some of the byproducts, the blessings of community.

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Friday, June 26, 2026

Archive

Camping Season
This week marks another turn of seasons. School’s out and camping season begins. This weekend is the first reunion of Loaves and Fishes gathering at Ziontario. Families move into their digs for the week and everybody spreads out looking for friends they haven’t seen for a year. And finding them! Every generation can make those connections and look forward to living inside these new/ old communities for a week.

Camps for all ages are in final planning stages. Kids and teens anticipate their special week at Erie Beach or Noronto or back at Ziontario where dedicated and trusted adults and CITs will surprise them with new, cool ideas and activities. Hopefully many of them will have their own spiritual experiences and build on their own relationship with God.

This weekend for all those campers is a time of anticipation and potential. How will lives change this summer? What new friendships will be made? What old friendships will be renewed? Where will we see the Holy Spirit at work?

For some of us these things are only memories. But the memories can never be discounted. They’re part of the “glue” that binds us to the larger community , the Community of Christ. Reunions and camping are a huge part of our tradition.

Our congregation still makes a space in our calendar for reunion season. Not all of us will be there in person but some will. And we look forward to their stories. We’ll sponsor campers and love to hear their excitement. Watch our website to see our gathering times and places. Happy camping season everyone!

World Cup

So the World Cup is finally upon us and the whole world is predictably consumed by it. Even if you don’t, or didn’t, have kids who play soccer the experience of having this enormous sporting event in our own country, continent, time zone can be overwhelming. If you actually follow a team or teams, you’re living for this every four year’s tournament.

I confess to being at least a little bit in one of those categories. And I acknowledge the fun of following World Cup news. How is Canada doing? What are the upsets? Did Algeria beat the bullies from Argentina? How about former colony vs. former colonizers France? Cheering for little guys from Capo Verde holding tournament favourites from Spain to a nil-nil tie. (The entire population of their wee island country is the size of the city of Barrie!)

Those are a few of the good things I’m happy about this week. Nevertheless, that’s not the whole story. Whenever one of these huge global spots or entertainment events happens I inevitably think of the enormous amount of money involved. Despite all the reasons to celebrate national teams, Olympic medals and even Taylor Swift, we cannot deny that the privileged of the world appear to know no bounds to what they are willing to spend.

When I see that stadium full of thousands of fans who have spent exorbitant sums to be there and still have enough to pay the mortgage, fill the gas tank and pick up the groceries on the way home. Not even considering that the lion’s share keeps FIFA going when it is widely acknowledged how corrupt it is.

We talked a little bit this week about “responsible choices”. I recall an offertory message once shared by then bishop Paul Davis at the close of World Conference. He celebrated the good feelings as we were about to depart with energy and motivation to do great things. Things that would cost a lot of money. And the good news, he said, is that we actually have enough money to do them. The unfortunate news is that the money is still in our pockets. There are many, many problems in this world. And we know how to solve many of them. Sadly the privileged of the world choose to spend that money in other ways.

May we continue to encourage each other, we who hold enduring principles and a mission to end suffering and to pursue peace, to make the responsible choice with our money. It’s not always obvious or easy.

But sometimes it is .

Connect without an Agenda

What to write about this week? So many things happening: World Cup begins (finally), graduation celebrations, a visit from the apostles…And what else? Oh yes, and it’s hot! The humidex has at last arrived. So my garden is happy.

Our discussion group gathered on Wednesday with a very full circle. Our Apostles Shannon McAdams and Lach Mackay were there. Tagging along were Sam Smalldon, John Hamer and Leandro Palacios! Folks were popping in and out. Believe me, we filled the time as well as filling the room.

I’m not going to try to summarize the conversation. The stated purpose was to get to know each other better. I’d say we accomplished that. I will offer one take-away from the day. You’ve heard it here before but it’s always nice to have a basic belief validated by an “expert.” What is the main job of the missionary? It’s to make connections, authentic and interested, without any other agenda. It’s to truly listen, to engage and learn about each other, to establish a relationship, be it short or long. Who can ever know? But for this moment to connect— no other agenda.

So that’s it for today. We meet again next Wednesday, 1:30 at the Warehouse. There will be a chair for you. Meanwhile see how many connections you can make.

Welcome to Ordinary Time

I’ve always been drawn to the Liturgical Calendar as part of my spiritual life. No congregation that I’ve been associated with has ever embraced the calendar as I have. But it does play a small part in the Guelph Elora worship experience.

When we left our building, we left the visible symbols of cross, banners, pulpit and communion table that connected us physically to our faith. What we did not leave was the peace candle, communion service and table runners. Every Sunday it is my job to bring the candle and the cloth of the correct colour to dress the table that sits in the centre of our gathered circle. It’s where we put communion and offering plates as well as our “change for change” jar. The cloth and its colour are significant for me and a few others I’m sure; the colours represent the season of the liturgical year.

The year models the life and ministry of Jesus. We begin the year with Advent and the purple cloth. Purple represents a time of reflection and preparation. Purple is also the colour of royalty; we preparing for the birth of a king. We bring out the white cloth for Christmas as Jesus is born and recognized by kings and commoners alike—the magi and the shepherds.

Here comes the short ordinary time. The green colour represents Jesus earthly life and ministry. The short time reminds us just how brief that life is.

Purple and white come again for Lent and Easter.

Then red! Only a single day. Pentecost gets a red banner and the Christian church is born. And now the mission is ours. The task of becoming the church, of engaging with the world, of following the way Jesus taught.

Out comes the green cloth for a long time. Long Ordinary Time lasts until Advent when the cycle begins again.

But for now we must take up the challenge. Every time I see that green cloth I am reminded of so many things. What kind of challenges face us? How will we respond? What will we do in this community for this time? Welcome to Ordinary Time. The field is green. Get busy.

Just a quick note this week.

I’ve been busy in my garden. Finally! My time, my attention and my energy have been in the garden. My thoughts have had little time to chat in the foyer.

We’ve built up our soil, shopped all the plant sales to fill in the gaps in the perennial beds and lastly picked up the vegetable bedding plants to ensure we have the tomatoes, eggplants etc. later. Still much planting to do. (Don’t worry, I have help.)

This Sunday our congregation will be revisiting our mission, our budget and making some decisions about projects for the year ahead. Always important to do and timely as we’re just passing our second year anniversary as nomads.

We enter our summer season of reunions, outdoor gatherings, picnics. We’ll keep you posted where we are each week. Watch your email or check the website.

Next week our discussion time moves to Wednesday afternoons . We value this important time of connecting and conversation so much. We’ll be trying this new time to give more folks the opportunity to join. Same place (the Warehouse) 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. Join us if you like ; we’d welcome you to our circle. That’s all for now.

If you’re looking for me, I’m in garden.

How were you raised?

We can all agree, I think, that mostly people are caring and kind. Every one of us can think of examples of folks who’ve done good and charitable things. Whole groups of people who go out of their way to help others. And yet, our discussion group this week also agreed that, in general, it feels like society has gotten a whole lot “meaner.” Why is it that we have to think harder to identify stories to fit paragraph one and every day we trip over examples of … the other kind? Why are people so mean to each other?

Now I don’t want this blog to be a “downer” nor do I want you to think our discussion group got sucked into a whiny hour of complaining ; because it isn’t and we didn’t! We talked about how we can change things. “It’s how they were raised “ appeared to be an important concept. But really we have to acknowledge that doesn’t get us very far down the “how to change it” road. Because the raising is heavily influenced by friends, classmates, teammates, media, culture, celebrities, society. What is cool? How did bad behaviour get so popular? Why is rudeness tolerated? Why do good people avoid running for council? How did bad behaviour get shrugged off with maybe a “boys will be boys” explanation? Or, “it’s politics, what do you expect”?

We decided that we “good folk” need to do better. I once saw a tee shirt ( I think it was on our apostle) that said: when hate gets loud, love must get louder. One reason meanness seems to be winning is that kindness has got quiet. We have to challenge those unkind comments. We need to be seen doing the good things and we need to go out of our way to thank those who get it right. Go ahead and sign the petition. Go to the town hall meeting and speak up! Become known as the person, or the group, or family, that works for good causes. Be visible. Never mind “polite” in defense of the homeless, the marginalized. Be the one who adds the kind comments on Facebook. You may be surprised by what happens. (Or not. Do it anyway.)

Let’s follow Jesus in his rabble rousing ways. We won’t change the world; at least not all at once. But we can stop ignoring mean behaviour in our own community. After all, isn’t that how we were raised?

Busting out all Over

I know it’s supposed to be “spring” but truthfully it hasn’t really felt all that much like real spring. It’s cold and it’s rainy and the wind has been killing! And yet there are the birds, and the bulbs have had a hugely successful season. Even the magnolias insist spring is real.

So off we went to the garden centre. Our congregation, as is our custom, gathered for Mothers Day worship at the garden centre. (Our nomadic history is short so we can claim two is a tradition, right?)

Finding God in the garden. I’ve heard forever that no one is more optimistic than a farmer. You could also transfer the sentiment to gardeners. We spend the long winter season dreaming of the daffodils and tulips emerging. We imagine the changes we’ll make in the perennial bed. We check out the new hybrids available or we determine again to go with the heirlooms.

Our congregation is a gardener by nature. We love our annual visit to the nursery. Our circle fits perfectly in the space by the pond amidst the pansies and the daffodil beds. We sing “Morning Has Broken “ under blue skies and warm sun. Not far from our circle swarms of children chase each other up and down the rows of annuals and bedding plants, flowers and herbs.

Many families chose this as perfect for their Mothers Day outing. The recent issue of the Herald expands on the first presidency’s metaphor of church as “farm.” I like the idea of using this as a help to thinking about our identity, both as the whole global church and us as a tiny little group meeting here in this nursery. Surrounded by flowers and by the hordes of optimists pushing their carts loaded with dreams for amazing gardens they’re about to plant I feel the hope!

Our leadership team spent an hour last night on zoom talking about what we’re doing in our community, thinking about plans going forward, excited about the resources we have and how we’ll use them. We’ll be revisiting our mission with our members and thanking them for all they’ve accomplished and basking in all the hope we rediscovered in that garden circle. I can feel it coming. Spring is busting out all over.

Or should I say HOPE is bursting out. We’ve got seeds to plant and we look forward to a new season of growth we’ll experience next.

Looking for the Sunshine

Last Sunday we hosted a guest from the Guelph and Wellington Children’s Foundation. She arrived bearing a box of “smile cookies” to share for our coffee time. She also brought lots of stories to share about the good work being done by this, one of the partners in mission our group supports in our community. I was going to call this post “bad news good news” because her stories did feel quite a lot like that. She apologized for the “heavy” tone of her video. It told us about one boy whose life led him to consider ending it but who went school instead where he got breakfast and a reminder that he was worthy. He shared his story when he grew up and found a job and was able to donate to the breakfast program because, he said, it saved his life.

As I looked through the “Sunshine Report” I found many, many numbers. Thousands of meals served, hundreds of backpacks sent home with food for the weekend, scores of volunteers who work every single day to ensure kids have breakfast, snacks, and something to get them through the days away from school.

Indu thanked us for all the years we have supported both the food programs as well as the Holiday Support plan. Nearly 2000 families benefited. The list of ways the foundation helps children goes on. Camping, counselling, tutoring, soccer, hockey, even music lessons are all ways children get help.

We remember that it takes more than food to feed a child. Guelph is a generous community. So are Fergus and Elora. The numbers bear it out. The annual report is full of ways we and our neighbours are giving to the many fundraising events and efforts to keep the GWCF alive. Most of its revenue comes from donations. So there is the sunshine. (If you had a smile cookie, you helped.)

But I can’t leave it there. Because the other side of the good numbers are the bad ones. The need is even greater. They have been unable to expand into the county. There are schools unable to find a volunteer person to head up a “breakfast team.” Some kids still don’t get to go to camp or play hockey.

Many thanks to our guest who is part of a team of staff and volunteers who keep the Children’s Foundation running year after year and who keep smiling and finding the sunshine for the youngest members of our community.

Peace Through Music

Last Sunday we welcomed another of our partners in mission. Carmen from Guelph Youth Music Centre Music Centre joined us for coffee time and sharing about the Babies and Toddler music program she runs. Four times every week, at different times to maximize availability for all, Carmen leads small groups of children and caretakers through a joyous hour of songs, games, rhythm activities. Along with the music they develop social skills, taking turns, patience, noticing improvement and growth.

Yes the parents learn too as they join this new community and pick up great ideas and habits. They now sing songs at home; something some new parents never did before.

Carmen told us about a colleague who plans to train for the program and who may make possible further expansion next semester. Our conversation turned to other ways to attract more participants. Other better ways to use our bursary and grow its many benefits. Carmen shared anecdotes about children who claim music day is their favourite time. Mothers notice amazing things about their own babies and are anxious to tell their friends about the program .

Our objective to put music into more children, more families and give them greater peace is succeeding. As we lit our peace candle together we realized this music program is another way we as a group are pursuing peace in our own community. Bless you Carmen and all your singing dancing babies and toddlers, and all those caretakers helping bring joy through music.

Talking To Strangers

I reported this week for my routine blood taking at the lab. Spent the usual ten minutes with the technician and learned that we shared a childhood on a farm, grew and picked tomatoes, she in Leamington and I in Wheatley, just down the road. Her family name was Thiessen, a very familiar name in both communities. Appointment ended; have a nice day.

My children used to quiz me after a similar encounter in the grocery store: Mom, did you know that person? Or, similarly: Mom do you know everybody? The answer was often some version of: Not before, but now I do. I noticed that those same children, now adults, suffer from the very same disorder. Which is not a disorder at all. We all talk to “strangers “ who are not strangers at all, just members of our community we hadn’t yet connected with. And the connection is the objective after all.

One question that arose in our discussion group this week had a bit of a despairing tone. What good are we doing if all we can do is talk about these issues? After all we’re not likely to join the protest march or the neighborhood cleanup or the tree planting teams. What good are we if all we do is talk? Well let me try to make a case for “just” talking. Conversations are building connections and connections are building communities.

One thing we notice since we left our church building — and I’m not saying this is necessary, just that it seemed to be one of our benefits — we make far more of these casual connections and we talk about them more. We’ve learned so much more about our neighbourhoods, things that concern folks where we live. Our talking in some cases led to a realization of just how many people and groups are also doing, we found hope for many of those causes and ways we can contribute.

Thankfully there’s almost always somebody in the group who reminds us, when we’re tempted to despair, that we’re not “just” talking. We’re promoting communities on joy, hope, love and peace. Go out and find out how connected you really are. Talk to strangers.

Greening

The earth is greening up. Even through the rain we can see it happening. A week of April showers and warm temperatures and you can see it changing right before your eyes. The grass, the trees, the spring flowers are popping up.

Earth day is next week. We try to keep “the sacredness of creation” at the front of mind throughout the year, but it really steps forward when spring arrives. Thinking about gardening, about outdoor walks and picnics and camping and planting trees. We just heard about a huge tree-planting project at the Rowe farm this weekend. Way to go!

But it’s also the season for flooding (gotta protect those wetlands) and wildfires (love those trees) and emerging winter garbage (what to do with all this plastic). So much that needs our collective attention! We’ll be looking for our next project to protect our environment at some of our next gatherings. Or causes to support , letters to write, petitions to sign. Even if we can’t physically join the town cleanup (or the tree planting) we can help with the awareness and the citizens’ engagement. Also necessary if we’re to really hold the creation sacred.

This week our leadership team met to plan for the next quarter. We looked at summer, and we put more outdoor activities into our schedule. If you’re an “occasional” attender you’ll want to keep an eye on the website to see where we’re meeting. Meanwhile watch for Earth Day activities near you. See what’s happening and get involved. Happy Earth Day!

Tuesday Discussions

You may remember that some folks from our congregation get together pretty much every Tuesday for an informal discussion. (Then again you might just have forgotten.) I thought I’d tell you about this week’s conversation. Not because it was typical. We hardly ever have what you could call “typical” except that we manage to fill up an hour and a half of serious, stimulating, relevant talk about some topic. The jumping off point this week was Carla Long’s Herald article about God’s economy.

Everyone is talking about the economy these days. It’s at least part of every newscast. It’s an issue in every by-election. People are talking about it in the grocery store, on Facebook and in foyers and waiting rooms. So how should we talk about the economy?

Carla, who is part of the Presiding Bishopric, suggests that church members take a different perspective. God’s idea about the economy is one of abundance. How does this concept shape our conversation? Have we bought into the great lie that our culture accepts, that our society is built on the “fact” of scarcity. People have been shaped by the idea that there’s never enough! Have we been shaped by this concept or do we believe in enough and to spare? What is an abundant living? How much is enough? Do our answers incorporate ALL creation? Or do we care only or primarily about humans? Just how “human-centred” are we? Is it even possible for our finite planet to sustain every person, animal, bird and insect? How will abundance living enable that better than scarcity living?

Then we dipped our toe into politics. Because we believe in the worth of all people, especially the poor and marginalized, we can’t avoid issues that feel very political. In these issues we agree with Carla. “God is not neutral…God’s disciples take a side; they cannot stand on the sideline and be comfortable.” But what does that look like to us? How do we live in the midst of a huge and powerful idea so opposite to ours?

We recall from a few weeks ago Jeremiah’s advice about how to live in exile. And on we go. We do have answers for some of these questions and some will come back around on another Tuesday. You’ll understand why we need a clock to ensure we don’t go past noon. If you can join us you’d be welcomed. Most Tuesdays, 10:30-noon at the Warehouse., but not this Tuesday since there is a leadership meeting that day in the evening.

Holy Week

I’m writing this on Thursday morning, the day known in Christianity as Maundy Thursday. My thoughts today are somewhat mixed; I might even say “confused.”

As I imagine the feelings of Jesus’ followers must also have been mixed and confused as they followed him through that week of celebration and rebellion as he overturned those tables in the temple, defying religious leaders.

Then hiding out in that upper room for Passover supper (after stealing a donkey for him to ride on!).

Then that confusion about Judas leaving the table?

Then the withdrawal to the garden. And the arrest! So frightening, terrifying even as they watched him rushed away into a detention place by Roman soldiers for what? Questioning, torture, trial?

And my feelings get mixed up with today’s news! I’m aware of the kind of fear, of anxiety or bewilderment behind the headlines. Everywhere in the world ,it seems, people face war or famine or attack by the very governments meant to protect them. My own neighbours are unable to deal with those huge global issues because of their own concern for food prices or housing costs , even homelessness or poverty or addiction.

I don’t have an answer today. Somehow I think this is an important part of our story. I think we need to sit with these feelings, to feel the confusion, even the grief. We need to make those comparisons with the disciples. We need to acknowledge the time of not knowing before we move into the time of “what next?”

Partners In Mission

The snow is finally gone and I find myself looking at my emerging garden with a certain amount of longing. I’m in that in-between stage of not cleaning up too soon and harming the insects not yet emerged from their wintering places and the urge to clean up all that dead stuff and start to do the real gardening work of digging and planting.

Of course this brings me to thinking about just how much of said work that I am really no longer able to do myself. It was bound to come: that place in life where the garden in my mind’s eye no longer matches the need to sit down. Thankfully I have found a solution. Last season I found a group of students and newly graduated young people who had pooled their resources to form a little business of helping folks like me who are willing to pay them to do those many jobs we can no longer do for ourselves, So here I am looking forward to working with and watching my partners in mission get closer to that garden of my imagination.

Our congregation is in a similar situation .We want to do more than just pray for peace. We need to be active in our community where the need is so great. We’re concerned for the future of hungry children and families who struggle to provide necessities for those children. But we don’t have energy to volunteer enough, or to staff the institutions working for the same goals. So we have turned to “partners in mission.”

Over the next couple of months we’ll be checking in with the groups we support financially . We’ve invited representatives to come and report. We’re interested to hear what they’re doing, what they’re proud of, what they’re planning and what more we can do. Watch our calendar for details.

This Sunday we’ll be welcoming Daniel who will talk to us about his work on the board of World Accord. Over the next two months we’ll hear from Encounter, the Children’s Foundation and the teacher of our toddlers music program. I’ll probably have more to say in some future blog. We’re so grateful for all they do and that these partners in mission are willing to take the time to come and tell us about it.

Be Joyful

March break seemed right for talking a bout fun. This is something our group thinks about and something we try to take time for. No team can really be successful in the long term without a bit of fun. This Sunday we’ll be getting together for visiting and playing board games. As I was contemplating just how to discuss this I remembered a favourite scripture phrase and I went to Section 161. Reading the whole thing was great. There it was: the very thing our group is trying to be and to do! I’ll get you started, but I recommend you read the whole thing.

“Claim your unique and sacred place in the circle of those who call on the name of Jesus Christ. Be faithful to spirit of the Restoration, mindful that it is a spirit of adventure, openness and searching. Walk proudly and with quickened step. Be a joyful people. Laugh and play and sing, embodying the hope and freedom of the gospel. Become a people of the Temple—those who see violence but proclaim peace, who feel conflict yet extend the hand of reconciliation, who encounter broken spirits and find pathways for healing. Fulfill the purposes of the Temple by making its ministries manifest in your hearts. It was built from the sacrifices and searchings over many generations. Let it stand as a towering symbol of a people who knew injustice and strife on the frontier and who now seek the peace of Jesus Christ throughout the world.”

D&C 161, from paragraphs 1 and 2

News Bites

We delivered our collection of new underwear to our friends at Hope House this week to a grateful reception. We too are grateful for all the volunteers who that make this service work. Just look at the big smile on that woman in charge who greeted us!

This week we held our regular leadership team meeting on Zoom. Sam Smalldon was our guest. We had a great discussion about our management of budgets, investments and mission. Mission always being our priority. And we had a good time getting to know Sam. Thanks for coming! Our team meets (almost) every second Tuesday to plan, schedule, and monitor our group’s activities. We moved to daylight saving time this Sunday and tried out a new format. This will be an occasional Coffee and Conversation model we will use for guest speakers.

Over the next couple of months we’ve invited guests from our “partners in mission” to come and report on what they’ve been doing, new plans or ideas we might help with. Watch our emails or this blog site for information about these “coffee times.”

The next two Sundays mark March Break so we’re taking a break as well. There will be no gathering this week. Next week we will meet at Sharon and Daniel’s home for a games afternoon and visiting together. Do join us for this social opportunity.(1:30 p.m.) The next week (March29)we’ll be back at our Marden site for Coffee time with World Accord. Or meet us at the “WareHouse” any Tuesday at 10:30 for discussion group. There, you’re all updated. Have a great March break.

Encounter World Religions

I’m going to offer something a little different this week. One of the partners in mission we support is Encounter World Religions. This organization has been working for years educating school children about the many faith groups who share in our communities. They have expanded to work with police, with work sites, with various institutions in an endeavour to help bring greater understanding and comfort with these neighbours who might have been hurt by our lack of understanding and awareness of this essential element of “who we really are.” We see this work as a very real way we Pursue Peace. Here is a link to Encounter’s bi-weekly blog. I really encourage you to take a look. Just notice the kind of work they’re engaged in and follow them if you want to learn more about this important work. If you haven’t met him already, here’s Brian Carwana, also known as Religions Geek.

>> Brian Carwana: ReligionsGeek <<
(Once there, click the [Blog] tab to read past articles.)

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Friday, December 26, 2025

Archive

Year End

Christmas is behind us and the year is winding down. Everywhere we're seeing end of year lists: the ten best movies, top newsmakers, books you must read before it's too late...
We're encouraged to take stock of the year that's ending and set goals or make resolutions for the year ahead.

Guelph/Elora have had our final gathering for the year 2025 and we wrapped up our Advent season in fine fashion. We welcomed back some who had been absent and we sent out healing thoughts to those still on the sick list. We go into 2026 well aware of the challenges of aging and even the unexpected mishaps that can strike any family but we will get together as we are able and continue to pursue our mission together.

Looking back on our year we took pride in the ways we've made a difference. Just now we're celebrating the families that will have a real Christmas because of the work of the Adopt a Family program we supported financially. Our year-end donation of more than $2000 to the Guelph and Fergus food banks should help the epidemic food insecurity in our communities.

We love that we are putting music into the lives or little people and their families. We listened to our friend Carmen's story of a single mom living in supported housing with her baby who began coming every week to join their group and who is encouraging other mothers in her circle to come along. She's already signed up for the next year! (with our help)

We were glad to help World Accord when they were struck by a catastrophic cut in federal funding and to support Encounters efforts to spread the benefits of religious literacy in schools, police departments, businesses and others.

Our Advent series of stories based on the nativity parables was particularly meaningful this year as we looked for the meaning of Christmas in the here and now. We looked carefully at the real scripture lessons, some of the bits that might have got lost in the generations of pageants the squeezed out the "begats" or the political speech of Mary. We realized that Jesus' mother just might have been a spunky teen who really cared about a more equitable and just world.

Our final service told the story of the shepherds who sat on that dark hillside after the angels had left them and said to each other "Now what?" They didn't know the end of the story but they knew how to start. "Let's go!"

It's a bit like our story. We don't know where our little group will end but we have heard the angels' song. We've chosen not to sit in the dark but to get up and start making a difference. As we sang the hymn "No Obvious Angels" we realized that if Christmas is going to touch the here and the now it's going to be up to us.

We wish you all the blessings of the season and good things in the year ahead.
Happy New Year!

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We are small; we are big

Our Sunday group was pretty little this week. It’s the season of weather and flu and our numbers tend to shrink accordingly. However we did celebrate the third week of Advent in a most JOYful manner. We missed our absent members as we lit that pink candle, as we sang all the carols and heard the Mary story from Luke’s nativity parable. We were sorry they had to miss our potluck but we thoroughly enjoyed our feast. And our conversation was as rich as ever around a smaller table.

Tuesday’s discussion group happened to be exactly the same number. But this time it felt quite big. We often have fewer who gather to continue the discussions on Tuesday.

This week we reviewed the latest edition of the Herald. We frequently share thoughts from this global church magazine. It is good to remind us that we truly are part of a world-wide community. This time it reported the teams that have been reconstituted following World Conference 2025.We considered the priorities, mandates and membership of these global committees. This article reminded us that while we respect and follow the leadership of the Presidency, the Bishopric and the Council of Twelve Apostles, we realize that this small number of people can’t possibly do all that we, the membership, expect of the “Church.”

You know those time we’ve said or heard said “The Church should do this or that; or the Church should say something”? Well this is how they do it. Those ten teams pay attention to all those important issues the gathered membership identified at World Conference 2025.

The two important things are Nonviolence and the Climate Emergency. Those are priorities for our small group too. But we can’t tackle them alone. So we’re very pleased to learn that teams from the whole wide world are putting their heads together to read the signs and signals from their perspective and make recommendations to us about how we might respond locally.

We’ll be watching the Herald to learn what’s happening in other places, with other small groups also responding to the need for Peace and Justice, Human Rights, Earth Stewardship, Interfaith relations and Theology Formation. The heading of the article is “Goals to support global mission.”
We sometimes need a reminder that though our numbers may be small we are part of a world wide team engaged in a global mission, And in the spirit of the Advent season we will be Joyful to be part of such a grand and important mission.
We may be small but we’re BIG.

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World Accord’s first Accord Adventures learning trip is officially open for applications since the summer, and our full itinerary for the August 20–30, 2026p trip to Honduras is now available.
This immersive experience will bring participants, especially youth, to Honduras to meet our partner ASOCIALAYO, learn about women’s leadership in agriculture, explore vibrant cultural sites, visit local schools that were built by Al Wigood and friends, witness sustainable farming practices, and build meaningful connections with communities who are cultivating resilience and growth.

Stories

CBC National News is featuring a story about Robert Munsch today. Did you hear it? He’s a neighbour of ours. Guelph is very proud of this wonderful storyteller. Our community is home to lots of writers. Maybe it’s something in the water. Munsch will be donating his papers to the Guelph library. Our grand new library is nearing completion. We can hardly wait.

I met Robert Munsch and his wife Ann a few years ago at another event where the speaker was another neighbour or ours, Thomas King. He and his wife used to walk by my house all the time; and I often run into him at the grocery story. Jean Little lived in Guelph and Fergus. Children of all ages in both communities have memories of her coming to their schools. Most of those children have probably visited the home of John McCrae at some point. The Flanders Field poet also came from Guelph.

I must mention another writer I know well. Melinda Burns welcomed me along with a lot of would-be writers of stories, novels and poetry to her cozy studio. This year she published her own book of poetry. “Homecoming” feels very familiar to me and to many, many of those folks who would came every Tuesday or Thursday to write and listen to each other’s stories. Some of them are also now published authors.

My heart is hurting a little these days for our friend Tom King. You may have heard his story recently on the hews. He has taught me and countless others the importance of “stories.” The fact that his own story needs to have its facts corrected does not change the truth about stories. “The truth about stories is that that’s all we have.”

I’m thinking about this a lot these days as we’ve been exploring the nativity parables in the gospels of Mattew and Luke. These familiar unfamiliar stories are taking centre stage at our Advent services this month. We’re taking a new look at the familiar characters in the Christmas pageant. But we’ve done anew thing. We’re taking the stories apart and considering them separately.

All those writing workshops have been a great help to me as I’ve tried to get into those ancient authors’ minds. Jesus also taught his lessons with stories. We call them parables. What are the gospel writers but storytellers? Why did they write the story this way? Why did one of them tell Joseph’s story and the other one featured Mary? It’s been a real adventure.

Our “Matthew Pageant” is over. Next week we give Luke centre stage My Advent experience has been so enriched as I’ve looked at the stories through this new lens. Searching for the deeper meaning beneath and behind the nativity parables has been a real treasure hunt.

Christmas Music

I’ve noticed a certain conflict of thought around Christmas music. We tend to complain that it gets played way too early “No Christmas music before December!” We hear it every November. BUT then Advent arrives and our worship planners hear all the other complaints: “why don’t we sing more carols?”

There’s hardly enough opportunity to sing all the wonderful Advent hymns. For sure we never seem to use someone’s most favourite carol in our worship service. Then comes a snow cancelation the first Sunday of Advent!

Oh no! There goes the chance to start on our repertoire of Carols. And there is a great collection of Advent music. While there’s pressure to sing the familiar “Angels We Have Heard” and “Joy to the World.” People can’t wait to “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and to welcome “We Three Kings” – who really aren’t due until January!

And really we find we also DO love “The Canticle of the Turning”” People Look East” and “All Earth is Hopeful.”

Then there is the other conundrum. If we fill up our services with “Away in a Manger” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” when will we discover our new favourites? Imagine a Christmas without “No Obvious Angels” and “Star Child.”

Oh it’s a dilemma alright. And our congregation does love to sing. So we’re looking forward to the third Sunday of Advent. That’s the JOY Sunday and the day we’re gathering at Sharon and Daniel’s home for our annual carol sing. (Can we call this a new tradition?)

No constraints: we’ll just sing them all. If you’re longing for more Christmas music in your life want a chance to be with the community and share in the JOY of the season please plan to come along and unite your voice. Put in your request for that carol you can’t live without.

Oh and let’s bring your favourite brunch dish to share. We plan to begin at 11 o’clock (Note the difference) and then sing and eat until Sharon throws us out – well maybe 1:30 or so.

Meanwhile we hope to see you this Sunday for communion, combined advent themes Hope and Peace. We’ll hear Matthew’s nativity story and sing at least five hymns!

Anticipation

As I write this many of us are anticipating the arrival of a massive weather system. We’ve heard all the dire warnings about major wind gusts, snow squalls, whiteouts, driving hazards and were reacting accordingly—or not.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. It’s a season of anticipation. And I imagine our practices around this season are very much like our readying ourselves for weather. Children anticipate Christmas in their way; parents do it another way, or ways. Because we all have our different “To Do” lists.

But Advent calls Christians to slow down, to take time for reflection and expectation as we look forward to the birth of Jesus and consider just what that means to us. I’ll not say more now because my writing muscles are very much engaged in producing a set of Advent stories for our congregation’s Advent services.

Perhaps these few thoughts will remind you all to make a place in your own anticipation time for some slower moments, a little bit of mindfulness and quiet reflection as we approach the Christmas season.

Budget week

There was no political intrigue. No secret conversations about votes for and against. Budget week in our congregation was a time for celebration. The financial statement showed a healthy surplus. We’d met all our obligations to the mission centre, the camping program, the various expenses as a reliable part of the church we belong to.

We reviewed the causes we support, the community and worlds partners whose values we share and contribute to. We celebrated the donation we were able to advance to World Accord in their need after federal funding dropped off. We listened to the thank you from Encounter World Religions about all their good work in helping school children, police departments, business and non-government institutions build religious literacy. True peace-making.

Our mission calls us to directly contribute to the needs of children in our community. We believe in the concept of “bread and hyacinths.” Food programs and music programs are both projects in our budget.

The Children’s Foundation sponsors an Adopt a Family project every Christmas. We have increased our support year after year. (Our drive to raise funds for this ends November 23 so if you haven’t donated yet the time is short!)

And we have a little surplus we have to give to food banks or to unhoused neighbours.

We’re going into the new year anxious to explore the needs of our world and our community. We look forward to hearing from our partners and visiting some of our shared projects. This budget marks the first full year as an unhoused congregation. Walls are going up at our former address and we celebrate the homes that will house multiple families. While we will use the funds formerly dedicated to maintenance to better ways to serve. Of course there are things we can’t do, but we’re happy for the good we can. We’re also happy for the new friends and partners we’ve made as nomads.

Sacred creation

The sacredness of creation has always had an important place for our congregation. At one time, when we were a larger group, we included a “sacredness of creation” moment just as we had a “prayer for peace” in our worship services. We learned many things about nature from various members; we supported causes advocated by our young people. We even considered promoting the idea to the worship office. Why not have a “sacredness of creation” element in every service?

If you know our group, you know this has not changed. And that it has had an impact on our personal lives. Members of our group have solar panels, heat pumps, electric cars. We follow the Suzuki foundation and belong to local environment groups. One of us is an avid letter writer and keeps the environment always in the face of local, provincial and federal politicians.

Of course one of our right choices for the environment was the big decision to sell our building. It became obvious over the years that our group was either unable or unwilling to do the necessary updates and repairs needed to make the building anywhere near to “green,” Our values just did not support our continuing in our leaky, uninsulated, fossil fuel heated structure. (We are happy to see a future home for several families rising on its spot.)

Last Sunday was one of our “sacredness of creation” services. We shared the resolutions passed at the recent World Conference and once again we resolved to “share with God in the stewardship of the earth.” In the new year we’ll be looking for the next thing our group can do to care for the planet. We have already gone beyond changing the light bulbs and rejecting paper products at our potlucks. We are into divesting in investments that support fossil fuels. This is one idea on the table.

Expect more research, more conversation in 2026. But also expect the practical action decision coming soon. We mean to make our reverence for our sacred creation more than just a slogan. We want to take seriously our role as stewards of the earth.

Sacrament

We met as is our custom for the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper last Sunday.

We congratulate our sister congregation in Toronto, Centre Place, on their tenth anniversary. Ane we read with interest your question as to the meaning of “communion.” We spent our hour together reflecting on your questions. What dos it mean? What is its significance to us? We marveled at the richness of the symbols of the sacrament. We dug deeper into the poetry of this ancient ritual. As usual we found much to discuss. I’ll share one of my poems based on that great metaphor.

Becoming Bread

Who can tell

when bread begins?

Is it with swelling seed

atop the waving grain

in summer sun,

Or scattered kernel

buried under soil that also

speaks to us of death?

Perhaps it’s harvest time

and promises fulfilled.

Or as the stone grinds to dust

the gathered seeds;

future harvests

sacrificed for food today.

Mixing, melding, joining

with the yeast that holds

the spark of life

to make it bread.

And salt – of sweat or tears –

from mine or ocean depths.

And water

pure and clean.

These three with flour

no longer wheat

or yeast or water

or salt

But kneaded into something new

though not yet bread—

not without the fire.

Bread at last and now

transformed again.

Take, break, bless, eat.

Becoming sacrament.

Where indeed does bread begin?

And who in covenant community

can but become the bread

to bless each one?

MS/2001

Bits and pieces

Last week we talked about getting ready for winter. And I referred to bringing in my houseplants. One way I get through the dark days of winter is to surround myself with plants. Sharing my home with Nature gives me joy when it’s dark and cold and snowy outside. My Christmas cactus is up to the task for sure.

One other thing that gives me joy is the report I received about the music program we support. Carmen tells me that we have helped twenty-one families this year! And that there are currently three classes running with one-third of those participating receiving help from our bursary. We’re looking for ways to expand to assist even more. If you know a family with babies or toddlers who would love to add more music to their lives by all means get in touch with Guelph Youth Music Centre. They’re waiting for them, and they’ve got funds to help with registration if you need it.

And finally: what we’ve been waiting for all summer. This is the weekend we get that hour of sleep back. Don’t forget to change your clock this weekend. We return to Standard Time overnight this Saturday. You wouldn’t want to make a mistake and get to church an hour early.

Winter’s coming

There is a very busy little red squirrel spending every day stacking up a supply of walnuts and pinecones under my deck. He only stops to scan the landscape for any interlopers, black or grey squirrels chipmunks, even bluejays or grackles stopping by the birdbath on their migration tour. He’ll chase them all. Nobody is too big for him, and he puts the fear in any intruder. Winter preparation is a full time serious job for this little guy.

We may resist but we cannot deny that those falling leaves and chilly nights send the clear message to us all: winter IS coming. And if we’re smart we too are getting ready.

Of course there are the obvious things to do. Bring out the boots and coats, the flannel sheets, the snow tires, the winter windshield wipers. Outdoor plants have come inside. Gardeners have tended to those seasonal tasks; but not too much cleanup in concern for the overwintering insects and birds who need the seed heads and hollow stems for hiding.

Maybe there are a few things you haven’t thought about. We reminded you last week that there are those neighbours who need some help. We’ll be donating to Adopt a Family for some who struggle with Christmas planning. (Get your donations in soon guelpheloracofc@gmail.com)

But don’t forget the campaigns to collect warm clothes. There are lots of places collecting stuff that will be desperately needed by our unhoused neighbours. We’ll also be paying attention to the ongoing conversation by our local politicians, institutions working to solve the bigger issues so when we can offer supportive input we’re ready.

The dark season is often a time that some of us go into hibernation mode. And sometimes it takes active planning to not let ourselves sink into a depressing solitude. Our congregation will keep planning weekly worship experiences on Sundays and discussion/conversations on Tuesdays. We’re pairing up to plan getting together. Christmas caroling, a participatory Advent celebration. We’ll be checking in with some of our community partners to see what they’re doing with funds we’ve donated.

You might be registering for Zoom get-togethers, educations events, crafting, prayer shawls, book clubs. And the list goes on. My point being that NOW is the time to prepare for the cold dark days. Let’s be intentional and plan for a good winter season. After all it’s Canada and there will always be winter. Let’s plan now to have a good one.

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Thanksgiving

We began this week in an attitude of gratitude. We gave thanks for all we have, for relationships, and shared experiences. We prayed over feasts, thankful to have our food that is still bountiful at this harvest time in this prosperous country we live in. Perhaps we turned off the news so as not to think about the peace that still eludes so many in our troubled world.

This week was also time for our regular leadership team meeting. We’re putting together the budget for our next year. We looked at the record of our giving for last year and considered how we’ll spend the resources we anticipate for the coming year. Our attitude of gratitude appeared again. We are grateful for the projects we supported in 2025 and for all the good our partners were able to do with our support.

Soon we’ll be getting ready for Christmas. Time flies and these warm autumn days can’t last. December will be here before we know it. And many, many families among our neighbours do NOT look forward to Christmas with joy. They know they don’t have the resources to plan the joyous feasts, the colourful trimmings of trees and homes. Most of all they realize there won’t be the gifts their children are anticipating. Those letters to Santa only serve to create heartaches for parents struggling to meet even basic needs.

So our next month we’re dedicating to Adopt a Family. This local program helped almost 2000 families last year have a holiday season they would not have had without it. Let’s see if we can stretch our Thanksgiving feelings into the rest of the season. Let’s see if we can at least match our last year’s target of $3000 and give our neighbours a December to plan a real Christmas for their families too.

We plan to make our donation by November 23 or 30 so Adopt a Family can get help into neediest hands and we can all look forward to Christmas with joy. Please consider how generous you can be as you write your cheque or prepare to your e-transfer to
guelpheloracofc@gmail.com and mark your donation Adopt a Family. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Let’s go…

A lot of folks are happily wearing their Blue Jays hats and jerseys today. Everybody has hi-fives and broad grins as they identify with the community of winners. And it’s a big community.

Sports teams all have their hats and jerseys and logos that they flog to their followers and we all know them and see them everywhere. I remember the hats the farmers wore with the John Deer and the Pioneer trademarks. Even those red MAGA hats loudly mark a connected community.

For awhile I kept a list of personalized license plates that said “This is who I am and I’m proud to announce it wherever I go.” I tried to imagine the story behind each one.

“BLUJ 92” was an easy one. I liked “SUZY RN” and “2 SKI BUMS” and “CATS RUL” all of which identified an obvious community of shared interests. I swear I did see with my own eyes “EZEDZIT” and “YUDIDIT” and ‘WHATEVUR.” I’m not sure what these signify, but they are fun.

Another very popular way folks today support causes or advocate for people or call out to communities is by way of their T-shirts. Pat brought her collection of shirts to share on Sunday. They had lovely messages such as “Expect Miracles” and “Pay it forward.” Our conversation was about how we choose to wear or not wear such ideas. Do we want to have a conversation with a stranger, whether they agree or disagree with our slogan? Are we calling out to our own community with the shirt on our backs? Does our T-shirt hold us accountable for our own behavior? Are we ready with the answer when our shirt provokes a question?

When our group struck out in a new direction we toyed with the idea of a slogan to identify our new brand. But we rejected “Nomads for Jesus” after we googled it and discovered that some other community (whose values didn’t match) showed up high in the list. So I guess you can say we decided to go with the line in the familiar song “We are One In the Spirit” and hope always to live by “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

It's harder than putting on a hat or a T-shirt but more true to the community we belong to.