Stain Glass Lens of the 21st Century

Tag: Uncategorized

  • One Tuesday Afternoon…

    One Tuesday Afternoon…

    Photo by Forrest Moreland/Unsplash

    The Season of Creation has arrived! Do you know what the Season of Creation is?  Just as there is the Lenten Season and the Season of Advent there is within many denominations a Season of Creation.  For some denominations this Season runs from September 1st to October 4th while for others, such as the United Church of Canada it is called “Creation Time” and runs from September 12th to Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10th, 2021. 

    Although we may differ in the exact dates of this liturgical season we all agree on its focus; our God-given role as care takers of God’s wondrous and amazing creation.  We are called to awareness, prayer and action to strengthen our response to God’s presence and glory in all creation.

    And what an introduction to Creation Time we have had this past week in Grey-Bruce! Late on Tuesday afternoon darkness overtook the usual commute home which was followed by large hail stones, wicked winds and a torrential rainfall.  Trees were toppled, roofs torn off, fences and sheds scattered about as if they were simply children’s toys, and hydro wires downed that would take days to repair. And, just as the Creation Story begins in the Bible, there seemed to be chaos everywhere.

    This sense of chaos can leave us bewildered, exhausted and lost but that is not the end of the story; it is only the beginning!  Some have asked, “Where was God in this storm?” 

    God was right where God always can be found, with us in healing and helpful ways.

    Before this storm hit we were warned.  My cell phone sounded an alarm at 4:50 p.m and again several minutes later telling me to take cover and stay still until the storm had passed.  God has gifted us with those who have the knowledge of such meteorological events and the means to communicate warnings to us all.  With thanks to God for such gifts no one died during this storm.

    God’s presence was witnessed in those who jumped into action and began to ensure everyone’s safety.  The first responders such as the police, emergency crews and the hydro workers who immediately began to fix the downed wires; the following two days the sounds of chain saws and tree shredders echoed throughout Saugeen Shores.   

    One way God brings order out of chaos is by using us.  God created us to be the care takers of creation which includes each other.  We are called to aid others, those with the knowledge provide warnings, those with means provides the funds, those who can swing a hammer help to rebuild, each of us gifted in one way or another to aid our brothers and sisters through their chaotic times.

    May we all look around and see clearly the presence of our Great Creator even in the storms and seeming chaos.

    Blessings,  Rev. Heather McCarrel

  • Is It The End or The Beginning of Something Exciting?

    Is It The End or The Beginning of Something Exciting?

    Photo by Sapan Patel/Unsplash

    Labour Day weekend is a hinge weekend; it starts in a summer frame of mind with thoughts of evening camp fires, afternoons spent at the beach and BBQ suppers.  By the time Sunday evening arrives our thoughts have turned towards autumn. Over this long weekend we move from the space of bright and sunny summer days into the space of cozy yet busy days of autumn, hence why it is called a hinge weekend.

    Change is in the air.   As the days shorten and the evenings grow longer the Canadian Geese practice their flight formations overhead, fields of soybeans are turning into their rich autumn colours and migrating birds are gathering on the hydro wires.  Teachers, school bus drivers and parents alike are strategizing the best ways possible to enter another COVID -19 school year.  Meanwhile, others are plotting changes to their home décor gladly planning for cooler evenings spent by the fireplace and the donning of favorite autumn sweaters.  For many it is time to turn over the vegetable garden and spend time pickling or freezing its produce.

    This change cannot be stopped so it may as well be enjoyed.  As Socrates wisely wrote, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”  This new season guarantees to be full of God’s glory, beauty and joy if we decide to seek out all the newness and goodness being offered.

    May this new season be full of hidden joys waiting for your discovery,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel   

  • What’s Your Opinion?

    What’s Your Opinion?

    If pandemic living has taught us anything it is that we don’t always have control over what happens to us.  Between the lock downs, necessary public health protocols and workplace restrictions we haven’t had a lot of control in our lives and nor has our opinion on these matters been requested.  

    However, in Canada on Sunday August 15th, 2021 that changed.  Our opinion was sought in a big way to help make a most important decision. We don’t have a lot of time but there is enough time to develop an informed opinion on who we each think should lead this country.  The deadline is September 20th, 2021 when finally we all will have the opportunity to make a difference.

    To choose not to vote is to choose to give up on the future of this country.  As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

    So, what is your opinion?  Who do you think should lead this country out of the pandemic and into a bright new future?  Your opinion has been sought because it matters!  Take time to prepare yourself for an informed decision on Monday, September 20th.

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Jennifer Griffin/Unsplash

  • Cause of Joy!

    Cause of Joy!

    Photo: Abigail McCarrel

    Her arrival was a bit unexpected.  We found her in a sad situation, the runt of a rather poorly kept litter of pups in a wooden box kept in a dark and cold barn.  We had gone just to take a look, but left with this wee bundle of fur in our arms.  Her little ears stood straight up on a tiny head under which were two serious eyes that studied our every move.  Once placed on the floor this bundle of fur would never wander far, always staying close encouraging pats of assurance.  I should have been exhausted from the several “bathroom” breaks each night and the early morning play sessions, instead by day 3 I knew exactly what to name her, Abigail. 

    Abigail means “cause of joy” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Abigail, King David’s second wife, is described as a beautiful and intelligent woman.  My canine sidekick has lived fully into her name.

    Each morning as we sip our coffees and read over the difficult headlines our “Cause of Joy” lies between us having her ears massaged or her belly rubbed, as if reminding us not to despair.  Each evening she brings her balls and toys dropping them at our feet as we watch the 6:00 news not allowing us time to wallow in the sadness of the world.  By bedtime this “Cause of Joy” has had us out for an evening walk among the tall trees and along the babbling brook.  She is our angel and I cannot imagine life without her.

    Life isn’t easy these days. It never has been.  There will always be difficult people, painful prognosis, frightening headlines and causes of grief.  We must counter this with causes of joy.

    I know one woman whose cause of joy is her house plants.  Two hours each Saturday morning is dedicated to their care.  Her love of plants has resulted in a degree in botany of which is the field she now works.  She is blessed to have discovered a source of joy which fills her days.

    Another woman tells me her joy comes from reading.  She takes great delight in finding a new novel and before starting it she arranges herself in her favorite chair, with a cup of tea and a plate of cookies.  Then the ceremony of meeting new characters and going on an adventure begins.

    I have met several grandparents that have discovered great joy when time is spent with their grandchildren.  Some even commit to babysit regularly so to fill up on that joy!

    What is your cause of joy?  What brings a spring to your step and a song to your heart?  Fill up on this joy as often as possible; it is the antidote to all the sadness of life!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

  • Juicy, Juicy Gossip!

    Juicy, Juicy Gossip!

    About two weeks back I received a phone call from a friend I hadn’t spoken to in ages.  At first the conversation was wonderful, she filled me in on how she was doing, what was new in her life and then she began to share what was happening with some of our friends.   She seemed to have the scoop on everyone and as I listened I began to feel a bit uncomfortable with the conversation.  

    Upon reflection I realized my guilt; listening to gossip is as bad as being the one sharing the gossip.  I have taken all three roles; I have been the one gossiping, the one listening and certainly the one being gossiped about.

    Why do we gossip?  We know it is wrong, we know it makes us look small, we know often the truth of others is not shared and yet, we do it in all kinds of ways.

    I suspect this pandemic has increased our bad habit of gossiping.   To be the one gossiping means we are the one who possesses some juicy information.  This feeds our ego and makes us appear important and for a few minutes we hold a position of superiority and attention getting. We savor this kind of attention.  As social beings we want to be the “top dog”, the one everyone looks to for information.   Given all the isolation of the last 16 months it isn’t surprising that some are filling their need for attention by gossiping even if it is at the expense of the truth.

    Also, gossip can be used to create social alliances.  Have you ever noticed that those who gossip tend to hang out together?  The unspoken norm is you can be part of our “group” if you believe and agree with what we say and greater status is given to those who are good at spreading the gossip or those who bring the group new gossip.  Those who choose not to gossip or who question the validity of the information tend not to be accepted by the group, or even worse, become the target of the gossipers.

    The saying is true, “Gossip ends at a wise person’s ear.” Those who possess certain wisdom are not usually the ones caught in spreading, listening to or entertaining any form of gossip.

    It is my hope we can emerge from this pandemic a wiser, kinder and better version of our pre-pandemic selves.  Let’s make the commitment to be honest in our conversations and careful in our care of each other.

    Blessings,

    Rev.Heather McCarrel    

    Photo by Ben White used with permission/Unsplash

  • Tread Lightly

    Tread Lightly

    My hairdresser has quit!  I assumed the many weeks of being closed was the cause of a career change but was surprised when she shared that she simply could no longer take the abuse of customers.  She said it had become a daily occurrence to have folks arrive to the salon refusing to wear a mask, refusing to book appointments or refusing to follow the COVID-19 protocols of the salon.  And some of those who were able to follow these simple instructions would sit in her salon chair complaining nonstop about everything.

      “Each morning I dreaded coming in and by my lunch break I felt like a weight was on my shoulders.”  So, she took a full time job in a completely different field and no longer deals with the public. 

    She is not alone.  It would seem many are fed up with rude and toxic interactions.  I noticed last week a new sign was taped up at the McDonald’s drive thru.  It reads, “We believe in fostering gracious behavior in our restaurants and creating a pleasant environment for both our guests and staff. Please treat our staff with respect and dignity.  McDonald’s reserves the right not to serve abusive customers”

    A similar sign went up at a couple of grocery stores in town and the Dollar Stores.

    Let’s tread lightly. It has been a long pandemic for everyone. Yelling at the drive thru waitress or the grocery store clerk is not going to solve any of your problems.  I guarantee you will actually feel worse and most definitely so will everyone who heard you.  So, stop it. 

     Do yourself a favor and everyone around you, be kind if for no other reason than the kindness will come back to you! How you treat others is how life will treat you.  As Mother Teresa said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

    Choose kindness,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Minister at Kemble-Sarawak, Zion-Keppel Pastoral Charge

    Photo by Matt Collamer,used with permission/ Unsplash

  • What’s A Weed?

    What’s A Weed?

    Once I read that the best way to keep your lawn weed free was by keeping it thick with grass; by seeding regularly it keeps the lawn too thick for weeds to land, root and take over.

    So, I seeded my lawn yesterday.  There was no fertilizer or hours spent replenishing the soil before seeding. I simply walked the length and width of my yard with a hand held seeder releasing the seeds as evenly as I could. Once the seeds were down I then stomped around my yard pressing the seeds into the soil so they would stay put.  As I did so several neighbors drove by, honked their horns and waved, presumably mumbling, “What is she up to now?”

    Thing is, I actually like weeds!  To me there is nothing more beautiful than a lawn taken over by dandelions and I have a rule, if it is green it can grow on my lawn.  However, my neighbors feel differently.

    One summer a neighbor, who has an obvious green thumb, was discovered standing in the middle of my front lawn remorsefully looking around. I watched from my front window knowing it could not be good news.  Sure enough a plant by the name “Creeping Charlie” had taken root in my lawn and was now creeping over to his lawn.  I was handed a tub and instructed upon its use so to end Charlie’s travels.

    I handed it back courageously and said, “Charlie is welcome here!”  Apparently my neighbor isn’t as inclusive!  (I have a hard rule against chemical warfare)

    To be fair this neighbor’s yard and flower beds are so impressive his house has been on the “Tour of Gardens” and he spends many a summer evening giving ‘wanna be’ gardeners lessons.   My yard is “the vain of his existence” but, I would like to offer a re-framing.  Anyone can grow beautiful flowers in perfect conditions.  My yard is like the ultimate challenge; it proves what a pro he really is.  He should be thanking me!

    He is a good and kind neighbor and as Jesus so clearly instructed, the most important commandment is to love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Matthew 13:29-31)

    So for my neighbor’s sake I seeded my lawn yesterday.  As I marched up and down my front lawn I did so with a bit more gusto then required with hopes all would notice my efforts at keeping Charlie and the dandelions out!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Steven Cordes/Unsplash

  • Whispers of God

    Whispers of God

    There is a little creek that runs along my neighborhood. If you are not careful you may drive right by and never notice the life which surrounds this little bending trail of water.  Usually in February it disappears under the layers and layers of snow and I have seen it dry up almost completely in mid-summer but, at times I have witnessed wondrous things by this creek. 

    Often in early summer there are huge turtles that come up from this creek and dig nests for their eggs along the roadside.  One spring evening I slowed my van to a crawl so to take in the beauty of a mother deer and its fawn as they gracefully bent their heads to drink from this creek. And then there are the wildflowers that grow along its banks; colouring the tall grasses with yellow, white and vibrant blue.  

    This week, due to a mild spell, not only did the creek break free from all the snow but it bubbled joyfully over the rocks, tree roots and even broke free from the banks that held it. What a wonderful sight and sound!

    As I stood admiring it’s tenacity to continue to strive despite all kinds of weather it made me think of the Lenten journey we are now completing.  This journey is a time of inner reflection; a time of “spring cleaning” our souls by asking such questions as “What has been tripping me up from fully experiencing God’s presence in my life?” 

    Lent is a season of tough questions, a journey of self-examination that if done honestly will improve our relationship with God and with ourselves; a deliberate movement into the deeper presence of God.

    As I stood admiring the creek the words of Jesus echoed, “Unbind him and set him free.”  Of course, Jesus was speaking of Lazarus, who had been dead but thanks to Jesus was now alive.  Words I believe are being spoken to us today. 

    What binds me to the world in such a way it prevents me from fully experiencing God’s grace? What prevents me from being fully alive?

    As Rev. Dr. Karoline M. Lewis‘, author, educator and preacher, writes, “What does grace upon grace sound like? It sounds like when you are deader than dead and you hear your name being called, by the shepherd who knows you and loves you, and you are then able to walk out of that tomb unbound to rest in the bosom of Jesus.”

    During this coming Holy Week may we all quiet the world long enough so we too hear our names being called. 

    Blessings on your Holy Week,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The Photo with this Blog was taken by Maddox Howe used with permission/Unsplash

  • Safely Held

    Safely Held

    Our 20 year old cat has gone blind.  She has thinned down to a shell of what she used to be and her once beautiful blond mid-length fur is now somewhat tattered and knotted despite our best efforts.  She has eyes that we suspect sees only shapes and shades.  She maneuvers around our house out of memory and familiarity.  When we approach her, she leans in to smell who it is before commencing with her signature purrrr.

    Early one morning she wandered the upstairs hallway meowing loudly enough to wake us all.  I left my bed to sooth her.  As I reached down to pick her up; without hesitation she began to purr and snuggled into my housecoat. 

    I sat in a hallway chair petting her tiny head and cradling her fragile body and I marveled at her trust; she could not see me but responded to my presence with a kind of certainty that humbled me.  It made me wonder when I have leaned unwaveringly into the presence of God as trustingly as my blind cat leaned into my touch.  When did I cry out in the midst of my darkness with confidence that God would reach down and lift me up? 

    Her trust highlighted my doubt.  Does God really care about the battles we face, the insecurities we try to hide and the fears that keep us up at night?  Does a God of the universe even know we exist?  Are our problems even worth God’s attention when the world is so full of tragedy and pain?

    As I sat there in the darkened hallway the answer came to me; ancient words repeated through time spoken by a God whose love is timeless, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

    God is always with us, waiting to offer comfort and hope. How often do we miss experiencing God’s presence because we are so preoccupied with our own thoughts?  May you take time during this Lenten Season to pause from all the hustle and bustle long enough to be assured of God’s loving companionship.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Chris Abney/Unsplash

  • Before We Rush Back…

    Before We Rush Back…

    Last week I went for a walk along the shoreline and was shocked by what I found!  Where, just a week prior, a tall tree had stood there now was just a gnawed off trunk and a pile of wood chips.  As I walked further similar destruction laid along the path; several trees downed, and gnawed trunks left in their place.

    I learned that Beavers do not hibernate and need to keep gnawing at wood to file down their ever-growing teeth.  Apparently, they stockpile sticks and bits of wood in case things become scarce over the winter months and they also become bored and simply gnaw down trees to keep busy. 

    This Beaver certainly had outdone himself, with at least 5 trees downed and plenty of sticks left to decay; it would seem he lived well into his reputation of being a “Busy Beaver”.

    It all reminded me of our recent lock-down.

    Since Boxing Day on December 26th, 2020 to February 16th, 2021 we have been in a State of Emergency in the province of Ontario with “Stay at Home” orders. 

    This was the longest winter in my life.  By the first of February, my home office felt half the size it did two months earlier- the walls just kept moving in closer and closer and closer!

    The morning of Tuesday, February 16th I felt like a sprinter at the starting line ready to leap into action, but God had different plans.  A terrific snowstorm arrived shutting down buses, closing roads and keeping us stuck at home for one more day.

    Much like that Beaver, I was ready to get out and be busy again.  I wanted to go to Winners, Michaels and the hair salon. There were pastoral visits needing my attention and I wanted to work out of the church office for the first time in weeks instead of my ever shrinking home office.

    Remembering the destruction the Beaver left behind because of his untamed need to be busy I paused to consider why I was so tempted to become busy again.  

    If we are not careful, we could jump back into bad habits for no other reason except to feel important, exhausting our finances, time and energy in the process.  Perhaps we should pause before jumping back in and ask ourselves some questions.

    Nothing could be easier than to live our lives totally immersed in our busy everyday activities with only the occasional thought of what it all really means.

    Lent arrives this week, a time when we are asked to once again make space for what is at the heart of our lives.  To look closely at what motivates our words and actions; to evaluate if we are truly living a Christ like life. 

    May we not rush back without reflecting on how we want to spend the moments of our days.

    Blessings, Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The Photo with this Blog was taken by Braedon McLeod used with permission/Unsplash