Rooted in Faith

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

Browsing through the latest edition of Presbyterian Connection I noticed a familiarity about the shared photos of church life. There was the Sunday School Pageant, the candlelight service, the white gift packaging, the neighbourhood lunch, birthday cakes . . . It struck me that the church names under the photos could be rearranged, and the story would still make sense. All that baking, knitting, quilting, feeding, nurturing--it's what we as churches do.

Then an article on Elmvale Presbyterian Church caught my eye. The congregation is 165 years old. It existed before the Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed. History fascinates me, so I read the article in full. The writer pointed out that the long history of this congregation, was a history of faith. No doubt they have been involved in "works" but what has sustained them and kept them vibrant for generations is their faith. They be before they do.

Last week we held a memorial service for one of SPPC's long-time members, Anne MacKinnon. The words spoken reminded us of her long service and the "works" she performed, as greeter, elder, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, and as a welcoming presence in our fellowship. Her legacy shows in our library, in the piano in the hall and in the lives of those she touched.

The service contained several hymns, hymns that Anne selected. Here she revealed what lay closest to her heart.  If we consider the words of her choosing, we see again, that "works" flowed from faith. 

"He shall not suffer that thy foot be moved/Safe shalt thou be."
"O Thou who changest not, abide with me."
"Death's mightiest powers have done their worst;/But Jesus hath His foes dispersed;"
"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, /Yet will I fear none ill;/For Thou art with me:"
"Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,/All who live in love are Thine."

Our Sister, Anne, had busy hands and an active mind, but when we examine her choice of hymns, we see she had a heart for faith that triumphed when her hands lay still and her mind slowed.

As our congregation seeks to serve and encourage at home and abroad, we must remember that our works must flow from our faith, or we become just another helping agency. Works are important, no doubt about that, but they are for a season. Faith is eternal. Like Anne and like Elmvale Presbyterian, let us hold that faith as a high beacon to light the ways of our doing.

 

Conversations

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

 The photo at left shows a letter written to SPPC from Zach, age 8. Zach attends Jesus is Lord congregation, that meets in our sanctuary on Sunday afternoons. 

Zach says he "works" at JIL. I think there is a lesson for us there. Most of us "attend" church, a much more passive activity than "working" at church. I know, lots of us, maybe all of us, volunteer in some capacity, but the idea of working during worship intrigues me. Do we work at listening to the service? Do we work at taking the message from Rev. Irwin's sermons? Do we work during the prayers and hymns to make the words our own? Do we work to make our corporate worship a true connection to God and His people? Does Zach have something to teach us?

Zach says he loves to "praise God and that is all," but it is not all. He goes on to ask God's blessing and Jesus' protection on SPPC. 

Last Sunday, Rev. Irwin challenged us to do "one hidden act of costly service" over the week. Zach's letter of encouragement is not hidden, but his costly service of penning it brought cheer to my heart. Thank you Zach, and to the congregation of JIL for their praise to God and their prayers for SPPC.

                                                               

This Sunday, SPPC received another blessing, Rev. Wes Denyer filled the pulpit while Rev. Irwin ministered to St. Andrew's Presbyterian in Victoria. 

The sermon was "Talking about important things." Those important things turned out to be conversations about faith. Those are difficult discussions to have at the best of times, but when folk are divided by age, or gender, or nationality, or traditions, they can be even more fraught. 

We often avoid those talks by changing the subject, remembering an "urgent errand," or hiding behind a coffee cup. 

The scripture passage for the sermon was John 4, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Here a Jewish man and a Samaritan woman -- that's an enormous social gulf -- have a meaningful conversation about faith. Not a lecture, not an argument, not a trial -- just a conversation, both spoke, both listened. 

Next time the topic of faith arises in discussion, we would do well to remember Jesus' example, and engage in meaningful conversation. 

Zach has done that, reaching across a gap in ages, a difference of denomination, and a difference in culture. (The JIL congregation comes mostly from a Philippine background.) He speaks of faith with a heart for praise and prayer. Zach's note is the start of an important conversation.

***

On a side note, I wish to commend everyone who moved the clocks ahead on Saturday night and still made it to worship on Sunday morning. Praise God the day was filled with sunshine.

Family Time

 The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

I went away for a few days last weekend for a family event in Ontario. As the picture at left shows, the snow was deep and soft and beautiful. Fortunately, it was not falling on our travel days so we only experienced the gorgeous landscape not the frustrating, dangerous slipping and sliding and heart-in-your mouth driving.

I had a wonderful time catching up with three generations of family and even some old high school buddies. Mostly we gathered around a table, whether for dinner, brunch, coffee or snacks. It seems food draws family together.

When I returned to N. Saanich, I found several sets of photos in my e-mail. Apparently SPPC had been using food to draw the church family together.

Thanks to Joan, I have these photos of the sunshine lunch, with its Valentine theme.

Janet sent me these pictures of the out-to-lunch bunch at Good Fortune restaurant. It was quite a bunch, eighteen to be exact.

Then one more photo from Friday's Friendship Coffee. This time there were 25 present, a high turnout, even for this popular program.

Building family memories together is a boon to the heart. It would seem the same holds true of our church relationships.

Despite the beauty of the snowy woods of Ontario, I couldn't refrain from sending back this photo of blooming Victoria in the month of February.

Back to Mitford

 This week's live-streamed service is available on our youtube channel here.

Among my Christmas haul of books, was the latest in the Mitford series by Jan Karon, My Beloved.

For those familiar with the town of Mitford and its denizen's particularly Father Tim, this book feels like a homecoming. Familiar characters are there -- Cynthia, Dooley, Lace, Esther and Ray Cunningham, Harley and Willie -- but, like the author, they are older. Father Tim is fully retired and his joints are creaky. Ray has a health scare and Esther is pretty well housebound. 

The author admits that she "quit" Mitford a couple of times before this book arrived in her imagination. Jan Karon herself is in her late eighties so it's no wonder her characters are looking at more life behind than before them. 

If you haven't read any of the Mitford books before, I'd suggest starting with one or two of the earlier volumes. My Beloved feels like it picks up in the middle of the story and if you haven't met the characters before or have a notion of the town, you might be confused. The action in the book is quick and the point of view jumps from one character to another with each chapter. Perhaps at her age, the author feels she hasn't time to waste on setting or backstory.😀

Our dear Anne M, who passed away last weekend, was a great fan of Jan Karon. She introduced me to the Mitford books. She also initiated our church library, which includes a set of the Mitford novels for anyone to enjoy. In honour of Anne, I've donated My Beloved to our shelves to complete the set. 

I heartily recommend this series. The stories are funny, poignant, and inspirational. Maybe start with At Home in Mitford, and go from there.

Ed. Note: The book has been donated, but is already out on loan. It will be available for sharing in a week or two.

Hidden Talents

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

I was asked the other day, if our church had a craft group. The answer is no, but the question made me think of all the artistic/crafty people in the congregation. 

We have many knitters and quilters in the congregation including Diane and Vivien and your webmistress.

 Our Ann N wrote a delightful story for her grandchildren. "The Two Naughty Squirrels" tells the story of Sam and Sidney along with various other visitors to Ann's backyard. While the story makes a bedtime read for grandchildren, the photographs will delight anyone lucky enough to snag a copy. 

Ann has generously donated a box of "The Two Naughty Squirrels," to SPPC. They are in the narthex and free for the taking.

Thank you, Ann, for sharing your talent with our congregation.

Speaking of photography, we have another hidden resource at SPPC. Meta A takes beautiful photographs and uses them to create greeting cards. Whenever I receive one of her cards I feel as though I've been given two gifts -- a pretty card and the personal care and attention of Meta, who created it.

Meta's husband, Brian qualifies under the "artist" column as well,
turning out beautiful wooden bowls on his lathe. Some of his creations are made from trees that have fallen on the SPPC property. 

We have a painter in our midst. Ruth S's watercolours are a treat for the eyes. You can view them on her own website, Wildwood Watercolours.

And here is another example of card-making from my own keepsake box. Peter C made this several years ago. 

He has since moved into making jewellery out of exotic woods. You can see photos of his work here.

So, while I told my friend, we do not have a crafters group at SPPC, we are not short of crafty talent!

A few weeks ago, the congregation made a list of assets, while we enjoyed lunch together. You can read a copy of it here. It is quite an exhaustive list, but, as these few examples illustrate, it is incomplete. The talents, enthusiasms and creativity of individual congregants should be included in our list of "assets." 

snowdrop walk

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

On a bleak, wet, foggy, dark day last week I read a post that began with the words, "snowdrop walk." I cheered up immediately, and resolved to go on my own walk in search of snowdrops.

I found these ones at my neighbour's front door. 

These were right across the road. 

These were in Dominion Brook Park, just a block and a half from Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. 

 Even though I was in search of snowdrops, I couldn't help but add this dash of brilliant colour from a camellia bush.

 As a bonus, the flowers grew by a stream, so sight was enhanced by sound, the rush and gurgle of flowing water. Life!

On an impulse, I checked out our church yard, and, sure enough, there were a few brave little blossoms nodding their heads beneath the big cedar in our parking lot. 

How often do we search far afield for a treasure, only to find that it is right in front of us all along?

Over the Christmas season, I made several trips to Victoria, thinking I'd find the perfect gift in one of the big malls, or maybe on Government Street. More often than not, I came home disappointed, only to find what I sought was right there on Beacon Avenue in Sidney.

Modern culture is obsessed with "success." Papers, magazines, the internet … open any one of them and you'll find a formula for "success" - in business, in relationships, in health, in fame -- with the guarantee that "this" path will lead you to happiness. Such stories sell products but I doubt they really create happiness for readers.

This TED talk, posits that happiness come first and success, however you define that, will follow.

Our Wednesday study raised the question of whether the Kingdom of God is some longed for utopia in the future, or whether if is here now, on earth. Jesus addressed that question in Luke 17: 20-21  Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed,  nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is in your midst.

I pondered that notion while I searched for snowdrops, and found I was in the midst of them. 

In 2014 I posted "Signs of Hope" on this blog. Most of the photos showed spring flowers pushing through a snowdrift. But one showed a determined little tree growing out of the top of a fence post. While looking for snowdrops, I went back to see what had become of the tree. 

It's still there, still surviving in a hostile environment, still soaking up the sunshine and the rain. It made me very happy.

With the pace and range of change the world and the church faces today, we may find the Kingdom of Heaven rooted more in the fence post than the flowerbed, but we can be assured it is "in our midst."

A "To-do" List

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Some years ago I came across this "list."* It made me chuckle so I saved it for future reference. Blue Monday is officially in the past for 2026 but we still struggle with grey skies, endless rain, and a news cycle designed to destroy our peace of mind. While this "list" is meant to bring a smile, it is also a reminder that God is in charge, and God loves us.

TEN GUIDELINES

 From: God 

To: All His Children 

Effective: Immediately 

Please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill my promises to grant you peace, joy and happiness in your life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you Ten Commandments. Keep them, but follow these guidelines as well.

 

1. Quit Worrying Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way? 

2. Put It On the List Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to me. And, although my to-do-list is long, I am, after all, God. I can take care of anything you put into my hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize. 

3. Trust Me Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problem with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

 4. Leave it Alone Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave me your burdens, and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I return these problems to you, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about them. Just let me do my job.

 5. Talk to Me I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I want you to never forget. Please don't forget to talk to me - OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include me in the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with me. I want to be your dearest friend.  

6. Have Faith  I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm doing. Trust me, you wouldn't want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

 7. Share You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who are mourning. Share your faith with those who have none. 

8. Be Patient  I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in my timing, for my timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

 9. Be Kind  Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for my sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences. 

10. Love Yourself As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes my heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that! 

With all my heart, I love you, 

GOD

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands  

 *from varietyreadings.