This morning as I finish packing for Durban, South Africa, where the United Nations climate talks will take place over the next two weeks, I’m cherishing the encouraging words in a message from one of our United Church ministers:
Over the past several days I have been in Ottawa speaking with other faith leaders and political leaders about the moral and spiritual challenge of climate change. On Sunday evening I participated in such a panel at a fully public event hosted at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and the following morning, in a full-day Interfaith Forum.
The Canadian military Chief of Staff was crticized by the government for his flying habits. Soon after, some one leaks a story about the flying habits of the minister of defence.
What a coincidence!
Just a little earlier, the top brass refused to carry out a government order to reallocate staff. Now, In a democracy, we run the country - and the government we elect gives orders to the top brass of the military. It looks to me as though we're seeing a power struggle and a defiance which is a very unhealthy sign in a democracy.
This stems from Richard Bott's thread on Creedo amd Gord's post in Should we pray to Jesus or God. I have spent over night thinking about this.
These are personal musings and I speak for only myself.
There is the story told of the lapsed Catholic who hadn't been active in the faith for many years calling for a priest and last Rites when he was dying.
As I rolled into Toronto’s Union Station yesterday, I felt too overwhelmed by stories and reflections to pull them apart for telling quite yet. After 52 discrete events or gatherings in 27 days, they will take some time to sift and sort. Visits throughout Alberta and Northwest Conference were as extraordinary as the others, and different of course.
Spirit prompted me to reflect on the nature of hope during my final offering of theological reflection at this past weekend’s national justice-making Turn! gathering in Pinawa, Manitoba.
In a couple of weeks I am to begin a series of presentations named "Stepping Further Out" (Ottawa - Oct 27; Calgary - Oct 30; Vancouver - Nov 6). As a way of summarizing the past I am flirting with these paragraphs. I wonder though whether it is too harsh, not tough enough or just true. I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks.
Three years ago, the situations of The United Church of Canada and General Motors had a lot in common.
Although we made gestures, in the form of motions and policy formation, and talked a lot about innovation we did not really appreciate the depth and speed of a rapidly changing context. We operated with varying degrees of a sense of entitlement, our dealers/paid accountable leaders had grown accustomed to a certain degree of “loyalty” from their customers/parishioners and were fundamentally confused by this new reality.
The essay Heraclitus at the Crematorium would also have fit in the Health and Aging area but I'm more interested in café members thoughts from a faith perspective.
The author concludes his story, a reflection on the death of his father due to Alzheimer's, with this (the quote is from Heraclitus):
I've recently been learning a great deal about world issues in the environmental context. I mean, water shortages and soil erosion and that sort of thing. It's all pretty apocalyptic, to be honest with you. And depressing.
