Vol XVII. No. 19
Archive - Dec 2009 - Oct 2019
GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: waholst@telus.net
This email is sent only to a voluntary subscriber list.
If you no longer wish to receive these weekly columns,
write to me personally at - waholst@telus.net
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Dear Friends:
Welcome to the first issue of Colleagues List for 2022!!
In this issue I introduce an unusual book.
Alphabet of Faith is a primer of good theology written by a person not theologically trained in a formal sense. The church needs more people like author Sara Jewell.
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Some weeks ago I began writing a reflection of my growth in faith during my senior years. I introduced a number of guides to help me unpack the meaning of "second naivete from a theological and spiritual perspective."
As I begin the new year I need to inform readers that "my second naivete thoughts are postponed" but will appear in subsequent issues of CL
I hope you enjoy this issue and will discover good insights here.
Wayne
PLEASE NOTE - If a link below, seems to be dead, cut and
paste it into the address bar at the top of your web page
and it should work.
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SPECIAL ITEM
Book Notice-
ALPHABET OF FAITH
26 Words about Faith,
Ethics and Spirituality
by Sarah Jewel
Woodlake Publishing,
Kelowna, BC. 2021.
$19.95 Paper; $9.98 Kindle
ISBN #978-1-77343-517-6
Publishers Promo:
Alphabet of Faith explores what it means to live a life of faith and spirit in the 21st century in the context of Jesus’ commandment to love one another.
Weaving together faith and culture, this breathtaking book explores what it means to live a life of faith and spirit in the 21st century. It brings together 26 “words” – such as energy, justice, liminal space, and X marks the spot – that reflect the challenges and joys of living in our beautiful but broken and often brutal world.
It is unwaveringly contemporary, progressive, and thought-provoking. The pieces are written for those who say they are spiritual but not religious, for people who are or may be familiar with church but perhaps don’t attend anymore, for those who know Jesus and his teachings and are familiar with the Bible, even if they haven’t opened it in a while.
Ultimately, these 26 “words” are for questioners and doubters who believe in kindness, mercy, and justice, as well as in science, and who seek a spiritual path that is inclusive and welcoming of conversation and transformation.
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Author's Words:
Holding my breath, I Googled "alphabet of faith" but found little mention of a sermon series based on the 26 letters of the alphabet, and not one book came up.
It was mine, all mine!. Alphabet of Faith was born. (I found words for each letter of the alphabet, and my idea was to put a fresh spin on each word I selected.)
I approach my church work as a journalist, a teacher, and a writer. I trust my instincts and write from the heart. I read widely but have not been trained by a theological college. I believe the world needs more Jesus.
I grew up in the United Church and know how to put a service together.
My work as a lay leader and preacher has just "rolled out" for me. I trust my instincts and my creative skills.
For the series contained in this book I selected words, scriptures and hymns with the understanding that they could change at the last minute.
The chosen word of the week informed my choice of scripture and the theme of my message. My creative process rose to the occasion, thereby proving why faith is important: it gives our lives meaning, it connects us to each other, it helps us make sense of the chaos, mayhem and evil that confronts us and wears us down.
I'm all about the Christian scriptures and how they apply to life in the 21st century. I seek the wellspring of hope that is Jesus, the wisdom of his words and actions as recorded in the gospels. He is the source of our faith.
Doing a sermon series like this Alphabet of Faith was a gift. Doing it through the worst of 2020 was a rare gift. It was a real challenge to create and I am happy to share the results with you.
- based on the author's Introduction.
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Author's Bio:
Sara Jewell’s spiritual writing is built on the foundation of her belief that “the world needs more Jesus.” Drawing from personal experience, extensive reading of contemporary Christian authors, and the critical issues and transformative events covered by the news, she strives to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, the sacred in the simple, and the wonder in every word.
A long-time columnist, essayist, and freelance writer with newspapers and magazines across Canada, Sara started her writing career at the United Church Observer and continues to write for Broadview. She also writes for Saltscapes magazine. Her magazine writing has been recognized by the Associated Church Press, the Canadian Church Press, the Atlantic Journalism Awards, the Atlantic Community Newspaper Awards, the International Regional Magazine Awards, and the Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest.
Sara is the author of the collection of essays, "Field Notes: A City Girl’s Search for Heart and Home in Rural Nova Scotia."
Born and raised in Ontario, Sara graduated from Queen’s University with English and Education degrees. She worked as a radio newscaster in Ontario and Vancouver, and now works as a substitute teacher and lay worship leader for the United Church. She is currently enrolled in a certificate program for Thanatology, the study of death and bereavement. Sara lives on the north shore of Nova Scotia with her husband, mother, a few pets, and a flock of chickens. Connect with her online at www.sarajewell.ca
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My Thoughts:
One of the special benefits of the virus has been the emergence of many worship leaders in my congregation. It has not been easy for many of these gifted people because, as Sara Jewell tells us, she has not been theologically trained. I have experienced decades of formal theological education and must admit that inviting members of the "laity" to do what was "clergy" work was something with which I had to adjust.
One important thing I have learned is that many without formal theological training can have marvellous spiritual and practical insights to share. When a skilled person takes the task of worship leadership seriously she or he frequently sees the need for their own theological education and can pursue that, with good guidance, to enhance what they have to offer. Local congregations can be wonderful places for theological education. Not everyone needs to be trained at a credentialed theological college if the local church has a good education program.
I am grateful for the special insights I have gained from friends and colleagues at church who have not been formally trained as clergy. Again and again I have come to realize that the Holy Spirit works in wonderful ways.
My father would often tell me - "It's an ill wind that doesn't do some people some good." I have always respected my father's spiritual life and his ability to share it. In his case, and in the case of many I have worked with since, that statement certainly applies. The virus brought us benefits.
--
Buy the book from:
Woodlake Books
*****
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS
Mark Whittall,
Ottawa, ON.
Sermons and Blog
December 24th, 2021
"Where You Put Your Body"
--
Philip Yancey,
Colorado
Philipyancey.com
December 23rd, 2021
"The Hopes and Fears"
--
Jim Taylor,
Okanagan, BC
Personal Web Log,
December 30th, 2021
"Lost Causes"
--
Ron Rolheiser,
San Antonio, TX
Personal Web Site
January 3rd, 202
"The Origins of the Universe -
Jesus and the Big Bang"
*****
NET NOTES
MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN CANADA
WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT,
BUT IT TAUGHT ME MUCH
A Message from a Pakistani Migrant
Broadview,
December 10th, 2021
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THE REVOLUTIONARY JOY
OF DESMOND TUTU
Jovial Man and Firebrand
The Christian Century,
January 6th, 2022
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TUTU'S STAND FOR GAY RIGHTS
DID NOT SWAY MOST OF AFRICA
He Didn't Fully Convince His Own Communion
Religion News Service
December 29th, 2021
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EAST GERMAN PASTORS
PUSH VACCINATION SHOTS
Saxony Badly Hit by Coved
Religion News Service
December 26th, 2021
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BOOK OF EXODUS DESCRIBES
REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY
We're the Egyptians Not the Israelites
The Christian Century,
December 27th, 2021
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A CHURCH IN CRISIS CONFRONTS ITS SINS
Canadian Catholic Community Faces Major Problems
Catholic Register, Toronto
December 22nd, 2021
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THE TRUMPIST REFORMATION IS UPON US
To Understand Post-Trump Politics,
Consider Martin Luther
Religion News Service,
December 29th, 2021
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CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES IN HAITI
MAKE DARING ESCAPE FROM CAPTORS
All are Now Rescued
Christian Week,
December 20th, 2021
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GALLOP TRACKS STEEP DECLINE
IN AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY
DURING PAST TWENTY YEARS
Discoveries are not Surprizing
Get Religion,
December 15th, 2021
--
'MERRY CHRISTMAS' RATHER THAN
'HAPPY HOLIDAYS' IS PREFERRED
BY MOST AMERICANS
Religion News Service
December 17th, 2021
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CHURCH'S MINISTRY TO THOSE
HURT BY PANDEMIC SHOWS
MONUMENTAL GROWTH
Church Members Pay the Price
Religion News Service,
December 21st, 2021
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
- Charles Dickens
--
Now that Christmas is past, we enter a new advent season – a time of holy expectation of a second Christmas, the birth of the Son of God in us, the birth of the kingdom of God for the whole world. We await the arrival of a new day, the beginning of a new age, a new time for humankind.
- Dwight Blough
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There are moments in history when people of faith must ask what their faith instructs them to do.
- Anne Nelson
--
Hope just means another world might be possible, not promised, not guaranteed. Hope calls for action; action is impossible without hope.
- Rebecca Solnit
--
Now that Christmas is past, we enter a new advent season – a time of holy expectation of a second Christmas, the birth of the Son of God in us, the birth of the kingdom of God for the whole world. We await the arrival of a new day, the beginning of a new age, a new time for humankind.
- Dwight Blough
--
Remember — the root word of humble and human is the same: humus: earth. We are dust. We are created; it is God who made us and not we ourselves. But we were made to be co-creators with our maker.
- Madeline L’Engle
--
I am glad, brothers and sisters, that our church is persecuted precisely for its preferential option for the poor and for trying to become incarnate in the interest of the poor and for saying to all the people, to rulers, to the rich and powerful: unless you become poor, unless you have a concern for the poverty of our people as though they were your own family, you will not be able to save society.
- Oscar Romero
--
The great vision of the New Jerusalem at the end of the Book of Revelation is a vision of ultimate beauty (Rev. 21–22). The word beauty doesn’t occur much in the Bible, but the celebration of creation all the way from Genesis, through the Psalms and prophets, on into the Gospels, and here in Revelation, should alert us to the fact that, though the ancient Jewish people did not theorize about beauty like the Greeks did, they knew a great deal about it and poured their rich aesthetic sensibility not only into poetry but also into one building in particular: the temple in Jerusalem, whose legendary beauty inspired poets, musicians, and dancers alike.
- N. T. Wright
-
I believe that God really has dived down into the bottom of creation, and has come up bringing the whole redeemed nature on His shoulders. The miracles that have already happened are, of course, as Scripture so often says, the first fruits of that cosmic summer which is presently coming on. Christ has risen, and so we shall rise. Saint Peter for a few seconds walks on the water; and the day will come when there will be a re-made universe, infinitely obedient to the will of glorified and obedient men, when we can do all things, when we shall be those gods that we are described as being in Scripture.
C.S. Lewis
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CLOSING THOUGHT - T.S. Eliot
What we call the beginning is often the end / And to make an end is to make a beginning.
(end)
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For Those Interested -
ACTS MINISTRY WINTER STUDIES AT ST.DAVID'S UNITED:
Monday Night Book Study - Jan. 17th - Mar. 28th 7-8:30 PM Zoom (10 weeks)
Book Theme: "On the Brink of Everything" by Parker Palmer
**
Thursday Morning Bible Study - Jan. 20th - Mar. 31st 10-11 AM
Zoom (10 weeks)
Bible Theme - Biblical book(s) to be studied this term will be
selected at the first gathering of the class, January 20th.
If you have questions, contact me at waholst@telus.net
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