Make Our Teens Travel

One of the challenges in a country as large as Canada is that often people in different parts of the country have little or no understanding of the rest of the country. WHile it is easy to believe that there are some people who never leave their home town or province, it is an oddity that many Canadians have been to other countries more often than to other provinces in Canada.

With that in mind I posted this thread on WonderCafe

I have a theory. I propose that the country would be healthier if EVERY student in every province were required to travel from Atlantic to Pacific (or vice versa) by land as a part of their high school diploma. The trip should take long enough that they get out at various places to get a sense of the physical and/or cultural geography. And as a base requirement for graduation it needs to be funded to a certain base level by the province (with the ability for students to fundraise/bring money for extras).

THink it would fly???

I suspect the same could be said for the US.

WHat WOuld They See?

In this month's issue of the Observer (the national magazine of the United Church of Canada) there is an article on mystery-worshippers. Unfortunately the article doesn't seem to be online.

A mystery worshipper program intrigues me. It is a great way to find out how really welcoming a congregation is. I mean I know that all congregations like to see themselves as welcoming and friendly but then again the reality can be somewhat different.

So what would a mystery worshipper see/experience if they came to your church? ANd what would you do with the feedback?

Is This Hilarious or WHat??

THis is a picture of a special quarter made to honour Canada's veterans. Very attractive, very striking.

Apparently also mistaken for a surveillance device!

Are people associated with the US military really this paranoid--and borderline delusional?

FRiday Five on Parties

Songbird writes:

I hate to say it, but over the years I've been to too many parties where I, or the birthday child, has felt much like the chorus of Lesley Gore's old tune. I am therefore not the biggest fan of birthday parties.

1) Would you rather be the host or the guest? Guest. Partly because we have a small house with little space and a neurotic, anti-social dog so hosting is pretty difficult. Most of the time I end up in a hosting role is at congregational events where I get the easy part of hosting--wandering around visiting-and little of the hard work preparing.

2) When you are hosting, do you clean everything up the minute the guests go home? Will you accept help with the dishes? Pretty much yep. As for dishes, that is what dishwashers are for, or possibly paper plates.

3) If you had the wherewithal, and I guess I mean more than money, to throw a great theme party, what would the theme be? I have never really been big on theme parties. IT would probably depend on the occasion/reason for the party.

4) What's the worst time you ever had at a party? The first two summers I worked at camp we celebrated the end of the season by going for "supper" at the nearest town. Actually we did eat but there was also a little bit of drinking involved. My first year was marked by the fact that it was my first time over-imbibing and my clearest memory is bending over the guardrail across the street um revisiting supper. Mind you, my co-workers found that very amusing....

5) And to end on a brighter note, what was the best? 2nd summer at camp. Yes I over-indulged again but wasn't quite so spectacularly ill. And the staff team was great to work with. The best part of the evening was pretty much after we returned to camp and had a big fire (I think furniture was involved). Time spent sitting by the fire talking to good friends can't be beat.

PRayers

The Right Reverend David Giuliano, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, is taking a sabbatical for medical reasons. We hold him in prayer.

More Details here

So What would This Look Like???

Or more what would it feel like? TO be getting "out there".

Last week I was at a Living the Welcome event,a part of the United Church's Emerging Spirit campaign. The campaign is about connecting with those who are not churched. But how to do that??

Reflections On Ministry

Here are ten propositions on ministry. They are well worth reading.

The Struggle Continues

The Anglican Church of Canada has released a Pastoral Statement on the question of Same Sex Marriage. THe most relevant part reads:

We certainly hope no child is denied baptism solely on the basis of the sexual orientation, or the marital status, of the parents. It is inconsistent and unacceptable to deny baptism to children as a way of imposing discipline on the sexual behaviour of the parents.
We hope no baptized Christian will be denied communion or confirmation because of being in a committed homosexual relationship or because of their marital status. ...

BUt then reads:

When a civilly married gay or lesbian couple seeks our church's reception of their civil marriage and asks their parish's recognition, it may be possible, with their bishop's knowledge and permission, to celebrate a Eucharist with the couple, including appropriate intercessory prayers, but not including a nuptial blessing.
When a gay or lesbian married or committed couple seeks to hold a reception or celebration in a church for their life in Christ, again intercessory prayers for their mutual fidelity, the deepening of their discipleship and for their baptismal ministry may be offered, not including the exchange of vows and/or a nuptial blessing.

It appears to be yet another attempt to walk a middle ground on this terribly divisive issue. As such it will please nobody, certainly not either extreme. It may be "politically wise" but since when does the church have to be politically wise?

I encourage you to read the statement in full and pray that when the General Synod meets the Holy Spirit will be acting within the body and calling teh church to do what they truly feel is faithful.

Starting Young

Sarah had to make a building for her music class. When mom asked what it was she was told it was a church!

Hm, think she is comfortable with churches???

Why we haven't made it yet.

Hat tip to Sue

Growing up in a world where many of the big gains of feminism had been made, it was easy to think that all people accepted that equality had nothing to do with gender. But alas such is not true. THis video reminds us that some of these thoughts are still out there.