Saturday, December 20, 2008

Denny's First Christmas


Friends came over for an early Christmas and gave Denny a new outfit. Now that he has camo to wear over his red long johns he is a real Albertan.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Jacob and Esau

I have a particular affection for the story of Jacob and Esau and found this post by the Velveteen Rabbi moving.

Denny and George

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Theological Reflections on Art

I found this list of theses on art really interesting - I really enjoy this blog a lot.

And in a totally unrelated matter - here is my little work of art waiting for Santa:

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

It took my breath away

I always really enjoy the blog Magpie Girl but this post took my breath away.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Anniversary

Six years ago today, on the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin and the Second Sunday of Advent I was ordained a priest by Bishop Barry Hollowell at Church of the Ascension in Coaldale.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Another Blog to Check Out

Here is another blog worth checking out by a member of our political science department. Read Harold Jansen here.

Friday, December 5, 2008

New Blog

My friend Jim Tagg has started a blog and I encourage you to check it out. Jim is a really thoughtful and thought provoking commentator on political matters and reads and thinks about a lot of really important matters. His blog is History Matters More and can be found here.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Unusual Month

People have asked me why I haven't written much this past month (and my mom keeps asking why I haven't emailed) and I kept saying I was busy but tonight I decided to make a list of what happened this month to see how busy it was. Here are the results:

25 hrs sitting in hospital with people
11 services including 3 out of town, 2 funerals, 1 wedding and 1 baptism
2 Bible studies
2 theology reading group meetings
student referendum
1 pool and pizza party
1 potluck
1 turkey dinner for 400 students
250 campus care parcels collected, sorted, and distributed to students
220 little Christmas treat bags for residence students assembled and distributed
Peter Erb's visit including his 3 talks and 2 dinner parties with him and Betty
1 talk at the public library
2 trips to Calgary
and a whole bunch of meetings, coffees with folks, emails, shopping, photocopying, and general admin stuff

I'm tired but boy I am having fun! And if it wasn't for a huge crew of volunteers this wouldn't have all happened. I am truly blessed in my ministry by wonderful people.

Vocation

There is a wonderful passage from William Stringfellow on Faith and Theology today. Read it here.

Monday, December 1, 2008

World AIDS Day

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a c c w e b n e w s
The Anglican Church of Canada
http://www.anglican.ca/
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Archbishop of Canterbury's World AIDS Day video
Anglican Communion News Service

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams has recorded a video message to mark the 20th annual World AIDS day on December 1, 2008. There are currently 30 million people worldwide living with HIV.

The video sees the Archbishop talk about the Church's worldwide involvement in care and education surrounding HIV and AIDS, and calls for faith leaders to "encourage and support" what is being done by listening to those who work on the front lines. He says "Our hope and our prayer today is that the excellent work that's done, not just in developing countries but here at home too by the Churches will continue and deepen and be strengthened by our prayer and our commitment."

"Recognizing that people living with HIV is us not them, whether it's leaders and congregations, congregations and 'outsiders'-it's us. It's all of our business...Church leaders and Church congregations taking responsibility for educating the wider public."

Prayer for World AIDS day

Pray for greater awareness of HIV and AIDS,
For greater dignity and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS,
For more compassion and care,
For the rejection of discrimination and stigmatization,
For wider prevention activities that address root causes of vulnerability,
For efficient mobilization of resources and treatments,
For increased access to treatments and care,
For support for those left behind to grieve the loss of their loved ones,
For trust and hope in our God.
Lord hear our prayer.

(Taken from: The Mothers' Union, Living Positively, "Prayers and Reflections")

The State of the World

It has been a very busy few weeks and no time to blog - lots of really great things happening and I have lots I'd like to write about but time has been at a premium.

However, I did find time to read some blogs this morning and found it pretty disturbing. Here is evidence that our culture is pretty messed up. The link came from a blog I hadn't read before but which is up for a Canadian Best Progressive Blog award. It is the Galloping Beaver and is worth a read.

On other fronts I've been listening to Christmas music, and yes I do know it is only just Advent and this is a very bad Anglican thing to do. Thanks to itunes I'm listening to Steeleye Span's album Winter and enjoying it a lot. Now back to work.