November 26, 2006
“The entire world was created just for me” and “I am but dust and ashes.” It seems that both as individuals and as a species we have vacillated between these two modes of being. We have either exulted in our almost (but not quite) godlike capacities, or we have humbled ourselves almost (but not quite) to the point of oblivion. How do we negotiate a course that captures something of both these extremes in ways that preserve the sense that our lives are meaningful? Gretta invites us to carry both sentences with us in our pockets as we go about our daily business.
November 19, 2006
“My Journey” - Larry Marshall shares with us through music, humour & personal reflection a taste of his personal spiritual journey – a journey that has taken him from a traditional ministry of “word & sacrament” to other ministries such as research for authors like Tom Harpur and preparation of materials & workshops to support books by John Shelby Spong & Matthew Fox. Larry tells how he has come to an understanding of God and spirituality that is more closely aligned to what we name a “progressive Christian” point of view.
November 12, 2006
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday November 7th, the United Church of Canada launched a media campaign which includes print advertising and a web site, www.wondercafe.ca. Gretta Vosper reflects upon the images in the advertising, noting that they speak to two kinds of concerns. Three of the ads focus attention on the secular perception of Christian doctrine (the bobblehead Jesus, the Santa Jesus, & the Bible with “stickies”). The other three are issue-oriented (gay couple, whipped cream & sex, and baby). What the ads do not do is present a particular position on any doctrine or issue. Rather, they invite conversation and engagement. Church, of all places, should be the place where we feel most at home talking about those aspects of life which affect us most deeply – like sexuality and values.