It’s election time. It seems that the U.S.A. has been in almost-election mode for the last six months, with only another 14 months to go. Canada has dropped the writ for an election 40 days hence, ironically suggesting the biblical period of a time of trial and testing. Britain may soon go to the polls. […]
Last Sunday was the final regular vespers service in the chapel for this academic year. I preached on the gospel text of a poor widow who makes an offering at the temple (found in Luke 21). Jesus comments on her generosity, and frequently this text is used as the basis of an appeal for generous […]
Why all who seek refuge in places of worship feel the effects of Christchurch tragedy A place of worship is intended to be a safe space, a place like no other, and – especially in our modern society – a place apart from the sometimes-overwhelming news of the world and its violence and hatred. Churches […]
Re-evaluating the value of religion during Lent It is now the beginning of the season of Lent, the forty days of spiritual discipline which lead to Easter. In this time period, and especially in the Holy Week before Easter, the news media will likely increase its number of stories about Christianity. That has certainly been […]
Mayra Jimenez an exemplar of speaking truth to power and effecting change Last Saturday evening I attended a talk by Guatemalan activist and advocate Mayra Jimenez, sponsored by the Maritime Breaking the Silence group. She spoke about a fire at a government-run youth detention centre two years ago, in which 41 girls and young women […]
Low turnout numbers not indicative of a break in Mount Allison tradition It is a rare day that Mount Allison closes due to weather, but it has happened a couple of times this winter. On both occasions, it was due to loss of power rather than simply volume of snow. I took advantage of the […]
Canada’s new food guide prompts us to savour our meals in a new way Canada has released a new food guide. Some of the recommendations are hardly surprising, although they represent a change from the old food guide, such as cutting back on meats and breads, and increasing fresh fruit and vegetables. What interested me […]
Values, Virtues and Vocations Over the last couple of years, I have taken to asking students in their graduating year a different kind of question about their future. Instead of the usual “What are you going to be?” I have taken to asking “Who would you like to become?” This past month, I have applied […]
Past and present leaders demonstrate leadership through collaboration, not control This semester, I am teaching a fourth-year seminar that explores scholarly challenges in the quest for the historical Jesus. In this course, we dive more deeply into the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry, and try to discern the difference between what Jesus actually […]
I have been fortunate enough to have had some wonderful experiences of worship in a variety of places, and in each of them there was meaning in that worship, a richness of experience, and a sense of community with people I didn’t even know. There are several things that draw me into worship and offer […]