Meet my friend Curt

During my recent trip to Victoria caught up with my longtime friend, Curt Bergen. Curt and I have known each other for most of our adult lives. We first met while organ students of Ed Norman in the 1970s in Victoria. We met at an organ concert at the downtown St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church though... Continue Reading →

Who’s on first?

“Knock knock,” someone calls from outside my office door. “Who’s there?” I laugh.. “Actually, Minister, it’s not a joke, sadly. It’s Marie here. May I come in?” Marie oversees our little community cemetery. Our church is too small to maintain its own burial ground, so following funeral services we bury caskets and urns in the... Continue Reading →

An Urgent Action Request regarding Cuba

by Jim Hodgson, Unwrapping Development Canada must condemn the ongoing U.S. embargo against Cuba, say two coalitions of Canadian non-governmental organizations (including churches, trade unions, aid groups and human rights defenders). The Americas Policy Group (APG) and Common Frontiers wrote Feb. 20 to Prime Minister Mark Carney,Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai. Their letter condemned the... Continue Reading →

If in doubt, make a plan

Another chapter in the series Stories from Somewhere, fictional reflections of an unidentified place at an unknown time. Other chapters are listed here. Our paths have not crossed for a couple of weeks now, so I am out of touch. Obviously, Ronni and a few others have been busy making plans, exactly for what, I... Continue Reading →

Traditional Religion meets evolving contemporary needs

Originally published as “Christianity isn’t just in decline — it’s become obsolete, says sociologist -- The problem isn’t simply about belief. ‘[Traditional religion] doesn’t fit ordinary life,’ says Christian Smith.” by Julie McGonegal - Feb. 6, 2026 on Broadview Christian Smith says that traditional religion hasn’t merely lost adherents — it’s become culturally obsolete. That’s... Continue Reading →

Virginia Theological Seminary awards Stephen Colbert, Evelyn McGee-Colbert Dean’s Cross for Servant Leadership

Virginia Theological Seminary awarded the Dean’s Cross for Servant Leadership to comedian Stephen Colbert and his wife, film producer Evelyn McGee-Colbert, on Feb. 6 at General Theological Seminary in New York. Left to right: Evelyn McGee-Colbert, David Charlton, the Very Rev. Ian Markham and Stephen Colbert. Photo: Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal News Service staff [Episcopal... Continue Reading →

Pastoral emergency

Another chapter in the series Stories from Somewhere, fictional reflections of an unidentified place at an unknown time. Other chapters are listed here. “There is no such thing as a hopeless case”—AA Big Book “Minister, I need you to come over right away. Please. I am in trouble. Come right away.” I haven’t heard from... Continue Reading →

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