Stain Glass Lens of the 21st Century

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  • Ears of the Earth

    Ears of the Earth

    Just about the same time every day I walk my dog down the same path.  This idyllic tree-lined path runs along a babbling brook and with the changing seasons, the landscape fills with flowers, grasses, and little critters that entertain me daily.  It is a routine time of prayer and reflection that roots me in God’s presence.

    Last week I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks.  It was a disturbing sight!  At first, I thought it was human flesh and when I bent closer it actually looked exactly like a human’s ear was lying to the right of the pathway.  Startled I jumped back and grabbed a long stick, with the stick, I poked the dead ear. I tried to pick it up but it wouldn’t budge, it was stuck to the ground.  The one son who was with me turned and came back to see what I was grimacing at. He said, “Oh mom those are just mushrooms,  commonly known as Wood Ear Mushrooms and some even use these in soup recipes.”

    Of course, I thought he was joking, using all his fancy education to trick his mom!  He pointed out others that were lying deeper off the trail and soon a large patch of these mushrooms was discovered.  My imagination took off!

    “These are the ears of the earth!”  I said excitedly.  “We should bend down and confess our wanton ways.  Here is our opportunity to apologize; to ask for forgiveness and to pledge a new beginning.”

    I then went into the litany of apologies we could share.  We could apologize for our lack of respect for the earth, admit our greed, our foolish exploitation of all the earth has provided and our ignorant raping of the earth’s resources.

    With a look of pure horror, my son quickly began to walk away, he isn’t always sure if I am joking or not.  He would not have been at all surprised to see his mother down on her knees confessing, on all our behalves, to a bunch of mushrooms.

    However, I do wonder if we haven’t been given an opportunity for some self-reflection during these quieter and slower pandemic days.  If we started to confess our mistakes to nature, vowed to not return to our old greedy and selfish ways and began to plan now how best to start the “new normal”; we could heal not only ourselves but also our relationship with the earth.  If we each look deeper into our old habits and commit to changing just one or two into new sustainable habits we could become a blessing instead of a curse to the very planet that sustains us.

    What are you going to commit to?

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

     

     

     

  • Anything Can Happen…

    Anything Can Happen…

    Perhaps it is because we have now entered the third month of COVID-19 isolation or because snow so thick it caused whiteouts has fallen in Mid-May, I find myself thinking, “anything can happen.”

    As the “New Normal” slowly emerges from weeks of uncertainty cars in  “curbside” pick-up lines twist around the parking lots,  masked shoppers fill the grocery stores and security guards stop people to ensure they have used the hand sanitizer. Home has become the new classroom for e-learners, the office for executives, and the studio for TV newscasters.  Exercise weights are selling on Kijiji at a premium while gas and beer prices have dropped to a 30 year low.  Yes, most certainly, “anything can happen.”

    This relinquishing of expectations has been refreshing.  I find myself depending less on my own sense of control and leaning more into the presence of a God who has always specialized in the “anything can happen” category.

    Take what happened to Paul and Silas one day. There they were simply sharing the Good News of the Gospel, having just saved a young woman from a life of despair when her master had them arrested.  After being dragged and beaten to a pulp they were chained to a prison wall behind guarded locked doors.  And yet, so full of the Holy Spirit, they raised their voices in prayer and songs of praise. Paul and Silas weren’t praising God for deliverance; they were just praising God in response to life.

    In the middle of the night, the earth shook, the chains fell and the locked doors flung open.  The guard so moved by Paul, Silas, and their God he took them to his home where all his family was baptized (Acts 16:23-32).  See? Anything can happen!

    Let us never stop raising our voices in prayer and praise to the God who refuses to leave us, but instead will take our messes and create something new.  The Prophets of old tell us that the beginning of wisdom lies in knowing and seeking God; perhaps this is because in God we find that “anything can happen”!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo used in this Blog was taken by Jan Tinneberg

     

  • Fireworks In a Clear Glass Jar

    Fireworks In a Clear Glass Jar

    Each week during these “safe at home” recorded worship services I have been preparing crafts/science experiments for the children to try at home. Each creation is the sum of items one would find in their kitchen. This week we are creating the ultimate Mother’s Day gift; fireworks in a clear glass jar.

    For this, all that is needed is a jar full of warm water combined with a food dye and vegetable oil mixture.  As the mixture hits the warm water the colours burst into action and quite a display fills the jar.  What Mother wouldn’t love this as a gift?!

    It is amazing how everyday items can work together to create remarkable results. Isn’t that the way with the Holy Spirit?  Simple every day acts such as a wave, telephone call or a text message to simply say “Hello” when infused by the love of God, can make a delightful difference in someone’s day.

    The world is full of anxiety.  We can depend on there being certain folks who foolishly push their way through the crowds or exert their negative opinions for all to hear.  They may be the loudest or the most attention-seeking in any gathering but their actions last mere moments.

    Those with the lasting influence are the ones who carry God’s love desiring to be the peace bearers and joy bringers.  They may be quieter in their approach but their influence sparks smile, warmth, and welcome.  This COVID-19 world needs these sorts; the ones who take the ordinary moments and selflessly turn them into extra-ordinary occasions of divine interruptions.

    May we all commit to being these sparks of God’s love.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

     

  • Thursdays Are The New Sundays

    Thursdays Are The New Sundays

    Thursday mornings I hit the floor running and it is exciting!  This is the only day of the week that I am “allowed” to work in the church building; the day we record the worship service.

    As expected I pack a lot into these days.  Upon my arrival, I check my emails and voice mail before heading into the sanctuary.  It may not appear as though much attention has gone into the decorations but I have been doing my best.  Banners and paraments are changed as are the flowers and this week I am contemplating the removal of a couple of the tall Lenten crosses.

    There is always an 11:00 a.m. meeting with Brenda, the Music Director, she sits on one end of the long front pew and I sit two rows over on the other end.  We rather loudly plan the next few Sundays.  Then recording starts; Dave & Maria arrive while Brenda warms up and I light the candles and ensure the “Children’s Conversation” items are in place, with the soundcheck completed we begin.

    Following “worship” I prepare the weekly newsletters to be dropped off at the local retirement home. And, this week I also am to meet a family and the local funeral home staff in the cemetery for a graveside service.

    Social distancing while leading funerals and accompanying grieving parishioners is the most unwelcomed change in this new way of “doing” church.  I long to shake their hands or, even better, provide a hug; neither are permitted.

    This isn’t at all how I was trained to be a Minister; I have never done church like this before.  However, gone are the days of saying, “We’ve never done it like that before.”  Anyone caught saying these words are viewed as lacking vision and having a more self-centered view of ministry.  No one wants to do church this way but if we want the church to flourish and continue to be an agent of Christ’s love then we must be prepared to “step outside the boat” of familiarity and trust in the leading of the Spirit.

    Funny thing is, whenever I am tempted to buck the Holy Spirit and say, “No!  I don’t want to do church like this!”  A deep familiar voice from my childhood invades my thoughts singing a refrain that never fails to bring a smile and me, yet again, bends to the Spirit’s nudging (more like a pushy shove).  That voice is Tennesse Ernie Ford as he sings, “Children, Go Where I Send Thee.” (I have provided the link below).  This is proof the Holy Spirit has a great sense of humor while also leading me in the direction I am to go.

    When I was Ordained I said, with at least 500 folks as witnesses, that I was willing to go wherever the Lord would send me and have done my best to do so ever since.  Never did I expect it would send me to YouTube, ZOOM, and Facebook!

    Thankfully the Holy Spirit is determined to keep the church alive and well; the only question is, are we willing to follow?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI_6t2yq2eE

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

  • Looking Up

    Looking Up

    Whenever life becomes overwhelming I go outside and stand under my maple tree and look up.  Whether it is day or night, sunshine or rain, I always gain courage by standing under my maple.

    I look past the tall trunk and through the upward reaching limbs and gaze at the timeless sky. Knowing that under this sky the human story has unfolded for generations; it has been the canopy of our existence as a species.

    Trees, one of God’s earliest creations that have a key role in our Christian faith.  Dr. Matthew Sleeth in his book Reforesting Faith, writes, “Other than God and people, the Bible mentions trees more than any other living thing.  There is a tree on the first page of Genesis, in the first psalm, on the first page of the New Testament, and on the last page of Revelation.  Every significant theological event in the Bible is marked by a tree.  Whether it is the fall when Eve shared the apple with Adam, the Flood, or the overthrow of Pharaoh, every major event in the Bible has a tree, branch, fruit, seed, or some part of a tree marking the spot.

    Jesus himself declared that the kingdom of heaven is like a tree (Matthew 13:31-32).  The only thing that Jesus ever harmed was a tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21), and the only thing that could harm him was a tree.  After Jesus was resurrected, he was mistaken for a gardener (John 20:15).  This was not a mistake.  Jesus is the new Adam who has come to redeem all of creation. Heaven is a place where the leaves of a tree heal all the nations (Revelation 22:1-2).  As if to underscore this forest of metaphors, Jesus’ last “I am “statement is “I am the root and the descendant of David” (Revelation 22:16).

    From Genesis to Revelation God has blazed a trail of trees through the Bible.”

    Even during these “safe at home” pandemic days we still can gain strength from trees.  If you have a tree in your yard then pay it a visit and to gain the full extent of its grounding power one must lean on its trunk or run their hands along one of its limbs.  I know it must sound silly, but by holding onto a limb, even for a moment, is like holding the hand of an old, wise and calming presence in the universe.

    If you do not have a tree then go online and search pictures of trees and let the beauty of these ageless creatures carry your soul heavenward.   Sometimes, there is only one way to look and it is up; let the trees show you how.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

     

  • Hope & A Future

    Hope & A Future

    It snowed last night.  Funny though, usually waking to snow in mid-April is a tad disheartening but this morning, in comparison to the headlines, the snow seemed a welcomed sight.

    COVID-19 is still ravaging the globe; re-prioritizing everyone’s life.  The vulnerable living in Long Term Care facilities hit especially hard.  Having been the Chaplain in two Long Term Care facilities I know firsthand how the staff members commit themselves diligently to each resident and each death means a friend has died.  These staff members have been working under dire conditions some while fighting their own COVID-19 symptoms.  They, along with all Healthcare workers, need our prayers.

    As the snow melts under the morning sun the birds begin to emerge.  These winged neighbors visit at my feeders filling the air with their chatter and melody which interrupts my thoughts.  Their presence reminds me that life continues and despite all the heartache of COVID -19 there is a future.  Lessons will have been learned; each death not in vain but instead a marker for the need for reform in Long Term Care Facilities in Ontario.

    As people of faith, we are not to become discouraged; instead, we are to trust God has a plan. We are reminded that just as God spoke to Jeremiah God speaks to us, “For I know the plans I have you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

    Let us commit to trusting in this hope and future,

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with this Blog was taken by Luke Richardson

     

     

  • Holy Week of a Full Moon Rising

    Holy Week of a Full Moon Rising

    There is a rhythm to life; a melody set in motion long before any of us were born and it will continue long after we have trodden upon this earth.  There is a pearl of ancient wisdom to this rhythm; wisdom that tells us to “hold on, there is more to come!”

    I met up with this rhythm last night.  In the quiet darkness, long after the birds had sung their evening songs, I went out and joined with the stars in the sky and savored the fullness of the moon.

    This moon enticed me with long moonbeams which left puddles of light on the grass; it called me to the “long view” of life. As I sat under its magical glow I recalled how Jesus would have sat under this same moon the night he prayed in the garden.  And, it was this same moon that laid witness to Peter as he stood by the fire telling terrible fibs until the rooster crowed, and the same moon that traveled across the sky as Mary and Mary Magdalene made their sad trip back to Jesus’ tomb.

    This same moon witnessed as Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus that first Easter day.  This same moon led the fishing boats filled with discouraged disciples who later discovered the resurrected Christ preparing a fish breakfast on the beach.

    The waning and waxing of this moon is a reminder that life moves on, from fear and grief to moments of great joy!

    As we travel this Holy Week let us do so by looking up and remembering we are not alone, we belong to a great rhythm that timelessly carries us onward.

    Blessings on your Holy Week and Resurrection Celebrations,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with today’s Blog was taken by Alexis Antonio

  • Trusting The Tulips

    Trusting The Tulips

    It was 25 years ago this past October that I began my “bed rest”; that was what they called it in those days.  From October 31st to January 3rd I was quarantined to bed.  I was pregnant with a set of identical twin boys and a few complications had set in.  These complications meant two months of bed rest followed by a set of tiny boys born 10 weeks too early.

    There were so many uncertainties in my life such as: would the boys be born alive, strong and normal?  Could we afford for me to be off work so many months earlier than expected?  And, what would life be like after they were born?

    Each time these concerned crossed my mind I would mutter, “by the time the tulips bloom we will know where we are at.” That was the marker on the compass I had set my sights; the blooming of the tulips.

    This COVID-19 reminds me of those lonely hours lying in bed, the uncertainty of my situation and the anxiousness of the outcome.

    COVID-19 has been a trigger for many, reminding them of anxious times.  I heard from one who told me this isolation resonates with her many weeks convalescing after cancer surgery.

    Another was losing sleep over past anxiousness from a career they had retired from; thinking all the stress had been left behind.

    I asked the cancer patient how things worked out and she spent much time sharing wonderful stories of recovery, renewed energy and a new lease on life.  The retired person also shared stories of a career full of success and fond memories; many more happy memories than stress-filled ones.  They both expressed gratitude for all God has done in their lives.

    It took time for the tulips to bloom after our boys were born; the journey wasn’t straight and easy. These things take time and patience but eventually, the tulips did bloom and both boys were home and we were able to go for long walks and appreciate all the fulfilled promises each tulip represented.

    In times like these, it is easy to be pulled under by anxiousness and be overwhelmed by negative thoughts.

    God offers a remedy.

    When Joshua was leading the Israelites on their final leg of their 40 year journey God instructed they build a monument with 12 large stones.  This monument was to be a sign to future generations reminding them of God’s providence through difficult times, “….so everybody on earth would recognize how strong God’s rescuing hand is …”. (Joshua 4:24 The Message)  May we never forget!

    I saw some tulips pushing up through the cold hard earth today and was reminded of God’s promises fulfilled.  As John Lennon once said, “Everything will be okay in the end.  If it isn’t okay, then it isn’t the end.”

     

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

     

  • COVID-19 Arrived 4 Weeks into My New Pastorate

    COVID-19 Arrived 4 Weeks into My New Pastorate

    COVID-19 arrived exactly 4 weeks after I arrived at my new church.  To be exact, it arrived in the area but thankfully, as of the time I write this, no one in the local church has contracted COVID-19.

    With its arrival, it brought anxiety, locked doors, canceled pastoral visits, postponed funerals, online worship services and a level of uncertainty I have yet to experience in ministry.

    Thankfully, God has provided.

    This congregation of Port Elgin United Church has been videotaping their services weekly for years and has a highly capable AV crew.  Two members of the crew are a married couple, Dave and Maria, so together they do the work of 3 or 4 each Thursday as we record the services.

    Brenda, the Minister of Music, is truly a rock star!  She plays and sings each hymn from the grand piano that sits on the far side of the sanctuary.  Brenda’s talent doesn’t end at her amazing voice and skilled playing; she has an uncanny ability at picking the perfect hymns each week!

    I have been learning what it means to preach to an empty sanctuary; which is an unwelcome lesson.

    Thankfully, the online services have been well received with over 250 views within the first day of being posted.   In fact, they have been so well received that on Monday, March 23rd, when Premier Doug Ford announced the closing of Non-Essential businesses,  I was informed that our ministry is essential in bringing worship to people as they stay safely at home.  We were encouraged to continue taping our worship services.

    As a faith community, it is our desire to be the hands, feet, and heart of Christ which has become rather difficult in this pandemic.  However, by the use of new ministries, we are discovering new ways to reach out.  For example, we are starting an Online Bible Study next week via Facebook.  Our Pastoral Care Team is sharing in the pastoral phone ministry ensuring those who live alone will receive weekly visits.  And, our Office Administrator, Kathleen, is still able to send out a weekly newsletter, the Friday File.

    It hasn’t been easy leading a new congregation through this crisis.  Stephen Covey coined the phrase, “change travels at the speed of trust” (The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything, 2006) which means any minister who wants to bring changes needs first to develop trust.  This trust usually isn’t granted within 7 weeks.  We are getting to know each other rather quickly during this heightened stressful time.

    Thankfully, these wise words by Corrie Ten Boom (concentration camp survivor) crossed my path recently. While writing about adversity she reminds us, “We have a God to go to, as did the Psalmist David who trusted God, made God his refuge “until these calamities be over past” (Psalm 57:1).  So pray and sit tight.  God’s got you.  Whatever adversity you face shall pass.”

    With these wise words we will continue our Lenten journey prayerfully trusting in a God who always leads us to new life and new beginnings.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

  • Saying, “Bubbles” To It All!

    Saying, “Bubbles” To It All!

    Say “Bubbles.”

    Right now, wherever you are just say the word “Bubbles” out loud.

    Now, try saying it with an angry tone.

    Can’t do it, can you?  It is impossible to say the word “Bubbles” angrily!  (go ahead and try it again)

    Did that make you smile?  I hope so; we all could use a smile right now.

    It has been a stressful couple of weeks with enough anxiety to last a lifetime.  COVID-19 has been a game changer; it has tested our sense of security leaving our vulnerabilities lying bare.  We worry how quickly and mysteriously it spreads, we worry what it means to be in a pandemic, we worry how long this will last (do we have enough toilet paper?) and, we worry what will be left behind when it is done with us.

    Restaurants are closed, all public buildings are shuttered, schools are boarded up and even the church doors are locked.   Folks are queuing for their unemployment cheques wondering how to make ends meet on 56% of an already too low income.  Vacationers are stranded while others are paying astronomical fees to fly home.

    And, we all end up in the same place.  Back home, washing our hands and asking, “Now what?”  I think that is the hardest part of this entire situation, sitting still and doing nothing at all.  We are being told to stay home and keep our distance from everyone.  We have been set aside while the storm passes.

    As people of faith our “setting aside” can still be very productive.  As the Apostle Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

    By remembering our call to prayer, gratitude and peace we can set a Christ-like example.

    So, let us daily cover the world with our prayers and petitions, remembering to list our gratitudes daily and to model peacefulness to our family and neighbors.

    And, if things become a bit overwhelming, pause long enough to utter “Bubbles” as angrily as possible!

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with today’s Blog was taken by Sabastian Pichler