“I think we’ve fallen out of love. Maybe our marriage is over.” We’ve all heard those words spoken, and maybe even spoken them ourselves. The statement points us to deeper questions. What does it mean to fall in love or out of love? And what really is marriage?   First of all, when I write about marriage, I’m including anyone in a committed relationship, two women, a man and a woman, two men, whether or not one has had an official wedding ceremony.   Let’s explore first what it means when we say, “I’ve fallen in love.” This is the first...

The words, “Happy New Year,” come so easily. My intent is good. I do really hope for much happiness for you or for whomever I’m greeting. Yet, there is a little catch that happens in my spirit as the words come out of my mouth. I know all too well that each year is filled with a mix of happy and sad, wonder and challenge. So what does it mean when I wish someone “Happy New Year,” and yet understand that no one has a perfectly happy year awaiting them?   Yes, my intention is good. I would love for people...

There is one thing, just one thing, that our children need and that we need for this new year, and that is relationship. If we are to make any New Year’s resolutions, we only really need to make one – and that is to spend time on our relationships. There is nothing we can buy, no achievement we can earn, no amount of money we can tuck away, and no job we can have that is as valuable to us as our relationships.   We all need a village of relationship around us. Children need more than their parents; they need...

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be taxed….all went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place...

Photo: David Robertson   Rev. David: I have always found deep meaning and comfort in the mystery of Emmanuel—God with Us. The simple and graceful lines of the artist in this nativity by Amos Pewter capture expressions of love, wonder and adoration. Joseph’s out-stretched hand gesturing to the child has a “I-see-it-but-I-don’t-quite-believe-it, but… look! at this beautiful child.” It is hard to believe—that God comes to us, to be close to us, to be embodied in human form in such a gracious and vulnerable way.   Mary’s hands cover her heart and convey gratitude and blessing. Indeed, how deep is the...

 Photo: David Robertson David: I’ve always been a lover of the morning sky—that time between sleep and awake. It’s even more significant during the winter when the night is long and cold. For that reason, the morning light is welcome and full of promise for me. The morning star(s) can still be seen in the west as the day star, our sun rises in the east. I have the feeling that the light is always with me and never leaves me. It’s comforting. And it’s beautiful. The Prophet Isaiah says, “Do not fear, I am with you” (Is.10:41). When I...

Jesus -- The Way          Photos: Susan Lukey   Susan:  I’m fascinated by paths, in the woods or a cow-path along a fence.  Just like life, these paths don’t have a clear destination, leaving much to the imagination about where they are going. They are not level or straight paths.  Perhaps that is why I like the image of Jesus as the Way.  Like the first followers of Jesus, I gravitate to calling myself a follower of The Way rather than Christian because I think that was the intent of Jesus.  He modelled and taught a radical, challenging...

For Advent, David and I chose four images of Jesus, found some of our photos to reflect the image and then each wrote a short piece on that image of Jesus.  We'll share one in each of the four weeks of Advent. Jesus, the Light of the World   Photo: Susan Lukey   La Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) Basilica, Barcelona, Spain    Rev. Susan: We paused in awe as we entered La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. The colours were incredible.  How did the builders achieve such brilliance? Then we realized that it was the sunlight streaming through the stained glass that...

Why?  It’s the first question a toddler learns to ask, and once they learn that question, it never stops.  Why is the sky blue?  Why do I have to wear socks? Why do puppies bark? Their world has opened up and curiosity has sprung forth.  Why? Why? Why?  And if we dare to provide an answer, it will usually lead to another why question.    Why do I have to wear socks?   Because you need to keep your feet warm.    Why do I need to keep my feet warm?   Because it is cold outside.   Why is it...

Do I have to believe in God in order to come to church? That’s a good question, which leads to several more questions, but first a simple answer – No! You don’t have to believe in God in order to come to church.   There are many reasons that you alone, or with your family, might choose to come to church. You might come because you long for a community around. You might wish to be part of a group of people from many generations. You might come because you know people who are involved and want to spend time with...