Mission-Shaped and Rural by Sally Gaze

I recently bought this book to add to my stack of reading material.
There are plenty of books about urban ministry, and most programs are urban orientated, but here is a book written with rural ministry as the focus.

Modern Man in Search of a Soul / Carl G Jung

The following is from the writings of Carl Jung.

I said just now that we have no schools for forty-year-olds. That is not quite true. Our religions were always such schools in the past, but how many people regard them as such today? How many of us older persons have really been brought up in such a school and prepared for the second half of life, for old age, death and eternity?

If you are in the afternoon of your life these words are worth considering, and being mindful of.

The Parish of Salvage have completed a mission review and struggling with why we don't have more in our pews. Jung doesn't tackle the pew problem, but he does point the Church to an area where we can meet the needs of individuals who are forty and above.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child

This year we've received 213 shoe-boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
That will be 213 delighted children somewhere in the world who will be thankful.
Pray for the child who receives the shoebox you so lovingly prepared.

Modern Man in Search of a Soul by C G Jung

Here's an interesting read from 1933. Most of us have heard, or read, about Dr Carl Jung. Why not read him in his own words?
The final two chapters of this work are:
The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man and Psychotherapists or the Clergy.

When critical of the Adlerian and Freudian theories and therapists of the psyche Jung writes:

In a word, they do not give meaning enough to life. And it is only the meaningful that sets us free.

Page 259.

This book is still in print and available at Amazon or Chapters. Or borrow it at a library. A partial preview is available at Google Books.

Preaching in the Small Membership Church

Here's another Small Church book worth considering.

Abingdon Press Publications. $14.00

Professor Lewis Parks - Wesley Theological Seminary

Amazon.ca $15.73

Looking Heavenward: Saint Stephen's, Salvage & Igor

Last Tuesday the chancel window of Saint Stephen's - Salvage - fell asunder as the winds of Igor swept through much of Newfoundland - leaving gushing water and craters where roads once were. Houses, building all took a beating, and some gave way to fierce winds, and unrelenting rains that overflowed gullies, ponds, rivers, and streams eroding the toil and creative landscaping of individuals across the Island.

Today, I received two separate phone calls from individuals who desire to help us replace the leaded glass window of Saint Stephen's, Salvage. All who worshiped at this church looked through this window over the past century and a half.

Those who called, and there have been others since, will help a lot, but there is other work to be completed as well to the chancel as we hope to restore the chancel and replace a window through which we look heavenward.

Letter from Bishop David Torraville - re: Igor's devastation

We often give to those far afield who have suffered devastation.
Igor brought devastation into our own backyard.
I received this today from Bishop David Torraville.

Dear Friends,
There has been a great deal of flood damage on the Bonavista and Burin Peninsula as well as in Gambo area. We are making an appeal to our congregations to support the people of these areas through the Diocesan Disaster Relief Fund. We will work with parishes and community agencies in the affected areas to ensure that the money is used most effectively. We would ask for individuals to make a special donation at worship in the next couple of weeks. Place your donation in an envelope clearly marked Diocesan Disaster Relief, with your name and envelope number. As well parishes might like to sponsor an event to raise money for the Fund. May we answer God’s call to service as we help our neighbors.
+David

Parish Archivists on North Island

The Parish Archivists, Alicia Howse and Jonathan Durdle, visited North Island and Flat Island yesterday, as well as a return visit to Flat Island.


From a distance they appear to be wondering through the cemetery.


But their work included clearing away various growth and photographing the headstones.


After a full day of cemetery ants, bushes galore, and thorns - off to home!

Flat Island - Cemeteries

Today our Parish Archivists are off to Flat Island to photograph the cemeteries there. Part of the work they did earlier when Everett Saunders took them to the Islands. Today Dave and Susan Moss will ferry them to the Island to complete there work there.

Children and Communion

A mother told me recently about her daughter who received her first communion from a priest. After everyone had received communion the priest consumed the bread that was left over. The little sat next to her mother crying. When asked why she was crying the little girl said: "She ate all of God's chips."

On Sunday Brooke's parents brought her to the altar rail. Her parents received communion - Brooke received a blessing. Her parents went back to where they were sitting. Brooke clung to the rail and hung on. Each time the priest and the deacon went by they gave her a blessing. Brooke clung to the rail until everyone else came to receive communion. When everyone had received Brooke when and sat with her parents — and a little child shall lead them.

Parish Archivists on Route to Flat Island

Parish Archivists on Route to Flat Island

Jonathan Durdle and Alicia Howse on route to Cowards Island and Flat Island to map and photograph the cemeteries on the islands.
Thanks to Everett Saunders they had a great day and a pleasant trip - though it's tough getting some pictures among the roses and bushes.

PS: if you find a cell-phone on one of the Islands please give the Rector a call.

Take my hand and Dance!

The Annual Accordion Festival in full swing.
I walked into the SUF yesterday and sat beside a young girl many thought would never walk. When I sat beside her the music started. She wanted to take my hand which I was delighted to do. She wanted me to take her other hand. which I did somewhat reluctantly. She stood up and wanted to dance to the music.
We stood - we danced - we laughed - and I cried.
Kiana danced.

Parish Archivist Hired

Some you will be aware that the Parish has hired a Parish Archivist, Jonathan Durdle, through a Job Creation Program. He will work in this capacity over the next months.

As well the Parish has been approved to hire a Post-Secondary student, for July and August, to assist in this work.

This work will include the following:
A workshop with the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives.
A tour of The Rooms Archives
A tour of a church/diocesan archives

Scanning and filing Parish registers into a digital database.
Mapping cemeteries, photographing and recording headstones, of the various cemeteries of the Eastport Peninsula.

If you are aware of a Post-Secondary student who would be interested in this position please ask them to be in contact with the Rector.

Church for “old people?”

A little girl went to church with her grand-parents, with whom she was visiting. See looked around and old people, and she asked, “What’s this a church for old people?”

How to Lead Small Groups / Neil F McBride

How to Lead Small Groups / Neil F McBride © 1990

This is what I'm reading now. The book has been around for awhile, and I've been involved in small groups for a life time. McBride has written four books in this area, all four are published by NavPress / Navigators.

The Lord Is My Shepherd / Rabbi Harold Hushner

I recently read Rabbi Kushner's book on the 23rd Psalm. It is an insightful read.
Psalm 23 has been a comfort to most, and anyone who has turned to this Psalm in need will benefit from reading, and considering, this book.
This is a book I would recommend for anyone who has suffered a recent loss. But it is also a book we can all learn from and find even greater comfort from a pastoral Psalm.

Iced Glass Church Gate

We've had rain, freezing rain, snow, freezing rain, lately.
And here is a iced glass church gate.

Ash Wednesday quote

“I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind. Yet, strange, I am ungrateful for those teachings.”

from “Sand and Foam”
Kahlil Gibran

A Soul Restored

You don’t have to be religious to have a soul; everybody has one. You don’t have to be religious to perfect your soul; I have found saintliness in avowed atheists. But maybe you have to be religious to have your soul restored.

Harold S. Kushner

Celebrating Sam

These are the words of a son who honours his father, and celebrates his life:

He showed strength until the end.
He had a strong faith, not only in God, but in his family and friends.
For many, he has been a lighthouse beacon in our lives.
I encourage you to fondly remember my father.
Do something kind and generous for someone, when you think of him.
Let us be content for him, as he has sailed home to his creator.

Life in the midst of death.

Two weekends in a row I will baptize a child, bury one who has died, and join in the celebration of an individual who has lived ninety years. We laugh - we weep - we dance - we die and we live.