Letting Go … Letting Love
I have the great pleasure to have been blogging since 2008. The practice started as The United Church of Canada began to imagine ways it might speak to those with whom it shares similar values, such as social justice, environmental concerns and relations with First Nations, yet were not in relationship. Since then, I have been humbled to have met and connected with people from around the world for whom A Deacon's Musing has been of interest.
I welcome you, therefore, to A Deacon's Musing's home. Take a look around and hopefully you will find something of interest. If you are a current reader and seeker, I hope this feels like a new place to continue our ongoing conversation. If you are new to the blog, I look forward to exploring where faith and spirit interact in our lives in the world. If there are topics or ideas you would like to explore, please do not hesitate to contact me!
With Light's Blessings,
#ShineOn!
Latest Blogs
Musing, Reflecting, Acting
Advent|Do-ers & Be-ers
Advent is here and I have to admit that I am feeling some melancholy. This time last year I was in Israel-Palestine with Christian Peacemaker Teams. It was easy, I am aware of the irony, in that place to be a Do-er and and Be-er at the same time. Each day began and was framed by worship that was grounded in using The Beatitudes as a way in which to experience the Holy in places that were not always easy and in which the temptation for apathy and cynicism was always present. Using our hearing of The Beatitudes made it possible to be fully present as a Do-er!
The Divide
Okay, I have a need to offer confession before proceeding! First of all, I am looking at that crazy calendar that is a life in Accountable Ministry and realise I have two similar Tasks that are pending. Both are sitting in my Outlook Calendar and require me to write something that is reflective and, hopefully, also useful and meaningful.
The Journey
We are all, individually and collectively, on a journey. In our United Church context, we openly name – Confess – the things that separate us from God and one another. We struggle, however, with our own stuff. How do we share our own dysfunction, our own brokenness?
A Proposal
Okay, I admit it; I’m often coming back to community as a theme. In fact, were I to be completely honest, I would say that it is central to my own longing that lies at the centre of my faith. And, if I continue on this trajectory, I guess it is also why I am so invested in the necessity for healthy and effective leadership. The promise of a healthy community depends on the leadership that models it.
Letting Go
I was recently at a meeting and it was, as has been the case over the last two years, a meeting in which there was a lot of energy. This particular group of men and women have been meeting to review where the congregation has been, discussing where it currently is, and imaging where the Spirit might be guiding. In times of such intentional reflection there is always richness. This group, as with most that engage with leadership, modelled self-challenge, as well as comfort in listening to ideas that were either new or difficult. I suspect that many who are in leadership, either Ordered or Lay, have been in this place. And, as my own experience has evidenced, there are moments of profound insight, perhaps even revelation …
Want to explore more of A Deacon’s Musing? Checkout