A few days prior to February 29, 2024 I want to think out loud about how I might use this quadrennial leap year gift. Once every four years, a day is added to compensate for approximations within the calculation of time, as earth continues its spatial and temporal riot through the cosmos. So help me... Continue Reading →
The Good News Story
Reprinted from Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations -- From the Center for Action and Contemplation -- Read online here This Daily Meditation explores the “seven stories” inspired by Brian McLaren and Gareth Higgins’s e-book The Seventh Story. Father Richard describes how the gospel offers us a new story: If we’re honest, culture forms us much more than... Continue Reading →
Connections
Sixteen squares each occupied by a single word. At first glance, they are simply words, seemingly unrelated to each other. The challenge--in this popular New York Times e-game--is to group these sixteen words into four connected clusters. The clusters are grouped supposedly by difficulty. Much depends however on how aware I am of pop culture,... Continue Reading →
Abounding in Kindness
Quilt made by Kathie Gray for daughter, Hannah, Christmas 2023 Excellent words for today, and every day Elizabeth Johnson, published on the daily blog of the Centre for Action and Contemplation Theologian Elizabeth Johnson summarizes the prophetic path as following a merciful God who abounds in kindness: Abounding in kindness, the holy mystery of God... Continue Reading →
Christmas Cards 2023
A version of this material will form my 2023 Christmas Eve Sermon at St. Stephen’s, Summerland. 7 p.m. is you’re in the hood. Everyone likes receiving Christmas cards—at least most people do. See my comments elsewhere. For many, the traditional Christmas card is now replaced by the annual newsletter—my own tend to go on a... Continue Reading →
Not your typical Christmas Card
Prior to returning to Summerland where Kathie and I lived and worked from 1994-2005 we needed to make a decision. Would we have our mail re-directed to our new address? I thought it was a waste of money; Kathie, however, wanted the service. So we now receive correspondence from gutter cleaners and weed removal services;... Continue Reading →
Never say Never
Our “little book”: Partnership as Mission: Essays in Memory of Ellie Johnson is now published and available for sale. Kenneth Gray, Maylanne Maybee, EditorsWipf and Stock Publishers; 288 pagesAvailable in softcover, e-book, and hardcover Now through December 19, on sale at 40%off. Visit our publisher, Wipf and Stock and use the code JOY23 to receive... Continue Reading →
A secret Garden – Shh . . .
Christine Timmerman, Yarram, Victoria, Australia The Yarram Share Garden located behind the Anglican Church in Yarram and has a special secret name. One that I will share with you, but you must remember it’s a secret. The real name of the plots of veggies, rampant pumpkins and gracious garlic is, “The Free Garden.” And by... Continue Reading →
You will publish one day – A lifelong dream has come true
PARTNERSHIP AS MISSIONEssays in Memory of Ellie JohnsonEdited by Kenneth Gray and Maylanne MaybeeForeword by James Boyles Wipf and Stock PUBLISHER LINK My favourite English teacher was John Smallbridge. He taught me with a dozen others in a creative writing seminar at what was then the University of Western Ontario in 1981. During our first... Continue Reading →
Pope Francis’s presence at COP-28 climate conference in Dubai is “without precedence”
Gerard O’Connell November 06, 2023 in America: The Jesuit Review Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam meets Pope Francis at the Vatican on May 29, 2023 (Vatican Media) We can but hope that the Pope’s presence at COP-28 will provide leadership and incentive to move our economy and environmental practices towards sustainable levels. I am further pleased... Continue Reading →