Township budget choices, sure glad it’s not me

 

HEY! Unto You a Child is Born

On this eighth day of Christmas what did your true love give to you? Eight maids a-milking?? I highly doubt it. 

But I’ll bet that since the 25th of December you haven’t thought a whole lot about what God has given to you. Hence, the reminder at the top.

If you were to ask any member of any of the congregations of the parish I serve, you would discover that I am a stickler for observing Advent – to me that means Christmas music waits until Christmas. 

The secular world has told us that the Christmas season begins when Hallowe’en is over. The Christmas music begins at the beginning of November and on the 25th of December it stops. It’s done. It’s over.

People have forgot that Christmas begins on the 25th of December and continues into January when on the 5th of January we celebrate the 12th Night – you remember the twelve days of Christmas, right? 

I love Christmas, and I love to hear the music of Christmas. I listen to the music throughout the Christmas season, regardless of what the secular world tells me. 

It reminds me into the new year, through all the noise and chaos in my life and all the chaos in the world that, hey, unto me, unto us a child is born.

As your life continues on into 2013, recollect the gift that God so lovingly and generously gave.

We are better people for him. The world is a better place for him. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and may God continue to fill your life with blessings in 2013.

Oh, and by the way, we are having a little 12th Night/Epiphany Potluck Party at St. James’ on the 5th of January. If you want to hear Christmas music, we will be singing Christmas music.

Come on along with your favourite potluck dish and join us in the singing. . . .oh, and did I mention the ever popular Epiphany Party Quiz?????

Cheers,

Sue+

Rev. Sue McCullough

Anglican Parish of 

Morrisburg, Iroquois 

& Riverside Heights

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The mission and your role

In my last reflection on the church ministry, I shared my religious experience on the physical nature of the Church, and our concerns toward it. 

God has entrusted the Church to us, and one of the primal metrics that really matter about the life and ministry of the Church, is the individuals and families the church has been able to help, to become better people.

I’d like to shortly reflect on the mission and ethos of this very aging Church of Christ, and the role each one of my readers can play in it. 

It is evident that the Christian church is going through various upheavals that affect not only its future, but also its present authenticity in the actual society.

The church’s mission is to make of all nations disciples of Jesus the Christ, through sacraments, teaching and preaching the Good News that transforms peoples’ lives into the likeness of Christ, and all this done in the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do you see this mission successful? What was, or is your investment in it? Truth is: the church mission reveals that to be a Christian is conditional. To choose not to be Christian is relative. 

After all, all of us are the children of God: therefore, whatever claims to be of God is ultimately our responsibility not our right! To make a concrete point: the majority of our church members are boomers. The seniors are the wise and the cornerstone, even the pillars and, or the potters of our pride or irritability today.

While churches and communities strive to offer them the care worth their sweat, here is some food for thought as noted by Gary Nicolosi, about few crisis facing our elders: There is the crisis of purpose…Physical breakdowns, loss of parents, the surrender of youthful dreams and forced retirements are making Boomers ask, “What else is there?” 

There is the crisis of disillusionment…The ideals of the 1960s seem to be unrealized as the world goes from crisis to crisis. Boomers are asking, “Is changing the world even possible or has cynicism won the day?” 

There is the crisis of priorities…Consumer culture claims you can have it all, but there are too many choices, too much debt and too little time. “Can anyone really have it all?” 

There is the crisis of relationships…“Should anyone say forever?” For Boomers and their children, the answer seems to be no. 

There is the crisis of loneliness…Boomers value their freedom and autonomy, but they still seek connection, conversation and community. “Where do you find meaningful relationships in a superficial world?”

There is the crisis of security…Economic uncertainty has led to spiritual anxiety. 

There is the crisis of spirituality … Organized religion has given way to a nebulous spirituality. Where do you find something rock solid for your life in a world that is falling apart…is the church a refuge place?” 

The quest for satisfaction is immensely exacerbated by the desire of the resurrection. By resurrection I mean, a revisit of our former truisms, or the good memoirs of the past: I want those glorious moments to happen again. 

The good news is: our souls never age: the spirit of God in us is ever fresh, the heart of love is Christ-centered and ever loving, despite the dusting body which returns to ashes as naturally ordered. 

However, when life becomes the party we did not wish for, while we are still here, the church and community are invited to offer the dance.

To conclude: what is so exciting about serving in these conditions? What is compelling to believe in a church whose future is dependable on freewill donations? 

While the church cannot answer why bad things happen to good people, the church can offer comfort and guidance to God’s children to deal with some heavy dilemmas, in the name of Jesus the Christ, the head of the church. 

All for Jesus, and Jesus for all.  

Rev. Manassé Maniragaba, 

Associate Priest for the

Morrisburg Anglican Parish

 

The dying Jesus is the evidence of God’s anger toward sin; but the living Jesus is the proof of God’s love and forgiveness. ~Lorenz Eifert

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It has been over six months since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Ontario. Schools are just returning to classroom teaching and many businesses have reopened. All are doing so with significant modification, and with public health […]