Happy Birthday UCC!

June 10 is the 97th anniversary of the founding of The United Church of Canada. That’s right, in 2025, we’ll hit 100!


Time for a brief history of the United Church crest. It was designed by the Rev. Dr. Victor T. Mooney, who was Treasurer of the United Church at the time of Union.

Shortly after the 1925 Union, a committee was appointed to make recommendations for a crest. They decided that they should work into it symbols that would represent the various denominations coming into union. But it wasn’t until 1944 that Rev. Mooney’s design was officially adopted by the 11th General Council.

The crest is designed in the form of a St. Andrew’s cross with an insignia in each of the four corners. The X at the centre represents Christ.

Three of the four symbols on the crest are associated with the three communions that united to form The United Church of Canada in 1925.

The open Bible on the left side of the crest represents the Congregational Church and its emphasis upon God’s truth that makes people free. From this communion we have a heritage of liberty in prophesying, love of spiritual freedom, awareness of the creative power of the Holy Spirit, and clear witness for civic justice.

The dove at the top of the crest symbolizes the Holy Spirit, whose transforming power has been a distinctive mark of Methodism. Here, our heritage is one of evangelical zeal, concern for human redemption, warmth of Christian fellowship, the testimony of spiritual experience, and the ministry of sacred song.

The burning bush at the right of the crest is the symbol of Presbyterianism and the indestructibility of the church. From the Presbyterians, we have received a heritage of high regard for the dignity of worship, the education of all people, the authority of scripture, and the church as the Body of Christ.

In August of 2012, at the 41st General Council, The United Church of Canada acknowledged the presence and spirituality of Aboriginal peoples in the United Church by revising the church’s crest. The crest changes included incorporating the colours often associated with the Aboriginal Medicine Wheel. The Medicine Wheel, which reflects respect for diversity and interdependence, is often represented in the four traditional colours of yellow, red, black, and white, which incorporate important teachings from the four directions, the four stages of life, and the four seasons. The placement of these colours will vary according to the traditions of the nation. The Medicine Wheel teaches us to seek balance in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the circle of life.

The symbols of alpha and omega in the lower quarter of the crest are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They symbolize the eternal living God, in the fullness of creation.

The oval shape of the crest is derived from the outline of a fish, a symbol of identity adopted by early Christians.

The Latin words “ut omnes unum sint,” found on the lower left side of the outline, mean “That all may be one” and are taken from John 17:21. On the lower right side, we find the Mohawk phrase “Akwe Nia’Tetewá:neren,” which means “all my relations.”

This is an abbreviated version of a text by glenda thornton, while at Centenary-Queen Square U.C., Saint John, N.B.

In Case of Emergency

UPDATE:

Thank you to all those who filled in the forms distributed at church last Sunday. We hope never to have to use the information supplied, but it gives us some peace of mind knowing we can contact your dear ones if anything should happen to you. We hope it brings you some peace of mind too.

As always with this sort of thing, it was only after they started coming back that I noticed what was missing. For women, I should have explicitly asked for maiden name as well as married name. I should also have asked you to specify your relationship with the contact people (son, sister, etc.) Don’t worry if you didn’t supply it, I will be getting back to everyone who submits the form to double-check their information.

It is not too late for those who received the form in the mail to send or bring it back. In Case of Emergency forms will continue to be available at the front of the church, and the list can be updated at any time.

Amy

ORIGINAL POST:

I recently heard a story at another congregation about a member who suffered a heart attack during a meeting. Although several people present knew his children’s names, they realized none of them knew how to reach them. I realized the same thing could happen to us at SouthWest. We may think we all know each other well, but think about it: would anyone know how to get in touch with your spouse in an emergency? Your children? Even if you attend church every week with your spouse, or with a friend, there will be the odd time that you come alone. That’s why we are asking your help in making an ICE (In Case of Emergency) list.  

At upcoming services, we will be passing out a half-sheet of paper requesting emergency contact information. It is intended for people who attend services or other events at SouthWest, even occasionally. It is up to you whether to fill it in or not, but I would suggest it’s better to be safe than sorry. There is space for two contact people on the form, but you can add more. It’s always better to give at least two names because people don’t always answer their phones. Mobile phone numbers are preferable to land lines, if possible.

If you would like us to send you a copy of the form by mail or email, please send a request to southwestunited@gmail.com. Any information you share will be kept confidential.

One last thing: the form asks for your birthday, but it is your choice whether to share. The reason we ask is because we would like to start announcing birthdays once a month during the service. Day and month are sufficient, you don’t have to tell us the year (but you may)!

Amy
P.S. the man who had the heart attack is fine.

The Holy Spirit

As we continue into the Season of Pentecost, there is so much to be said about the Holy Spirit, “the helper”, promised to the disciples and to us by Jesus before his departure.

 For many years, I have been fascinated by the biblical writings about Spirit, and the thought that there would be something within to “tap into” in times of confusion and doubt.

 While at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon for the three-year learning circles required

for the DLM stream of ministry, many of my fellow students invited me to follow the daily meditations of Father Richard Rohr, an American Franciscan priest, working out of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 Hereunder are some of his thoughts which are being shared in this Season of Pentecost.

The Immensity Within

 Father Richard describes the Holy Spirit as the loving immensity of God’s presence within us:

On one level, soul, consciousness, love, and the Holy Spirit can all be thought of as one and the same. Each of these point to something that is larger than the self, shared with God, and even eternal. That’s what Jesus means when he speaks of “giving” us the Spirit or sharing his consciousness with us. One whose soul is thus awakened actually has “the mind of Christ” (see 1 Corinthians 2:10–16). That does not mean the person is psychologically or morally perfect, but such a transformed person does see things in a much more expanded and compassionate way. Paul calls it “a spiritual revolution of the mind” (Ephesians 4:23, Jerusalem Bible)—and it is!

Jesus calls this implanted Spirit the “Advocate” who is “with you and in you,” makes you live with the same life that he lives, and unites you to everything else (John 14:16–20). He goes on to say that this “Spirit of truth” will “teach you everything” and “remind you of all things” (John 14:26) as if you already knew this somehow. Talk about being well-equipped from a Secret Inner Source! It really is too good to believe!

There is an Inner Reminder and an Inner Rememberer (see John 14:26, 16:4) who holds together all the disparate and fragmented parts of our lives, who fills in all the gaps, who owns all the mistakes, who forgives all the failures—and who loves us into an ever-deeper life. This is the job description of the Holy Spirit, who is the spring that wells up within us (John 7:38–39)—and unto eternal time. This is the breath that warms and renews everything (John 20:22). These are the eyes that see beyond the momentary shadow and disguise of things (John 9); these are the tears that wash and cleanse the past (Matthew 5:4). And better yet, they are not only our tears but are actually the very presence and consolation of God within us (2 Corinthians 1:3–5).

You must contact this Immensity! You must look back at what seems like your life from the place of this Immensity. You must know that this Immensity is already within you. The only thing separating you from such Immensity is your unwillingness to trust such an utterly free grace, such a completely unmerited gift.

WOW!  Don’t you want and need this in your own life?  I know I certainly do!

This will be my last blog on Pentecost and the Spirit so I would also like to leave you with the words of my all-time favorite gospel hymn. It has been my personal anthem since 2007.  Read the words, enjoy them.  Sing out loud if you know the tune!

Come Holy Spirit
Chorus
Come Holy Spirit, I need You
Come sweet Spirit, I pray
Come in Your strength and Your power
Come in Your own gentle way
Verse 1
Come as a wisdom to children,

Come as new sight to the blind
Come Lord as strength to my weakness,

Take me, soul, body and mind
Verse 2
Come as a rest to the weary
Come as a balm for the sore
Come as a dew to my dryness
Fill me with joy evermore
Verse 3
Come like a spring in the desert
Come to the withered of soul
O let Your sweet healing power
Touch me and make me whole


© 1964 William J. Gaither, Inc. (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management)

 

How Do You See Jesus?

How do you see Jesus? So many questions, so many answers.

As we celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday, we also celebrate the birth of the church and, lately, I have been thinking about “church” and Jesus.  I have been asking myself some hard questions.

One of the biggest questions I have been asked lately is “why do I stay a Christian”?

If I had been required to answer that question even 15 years ago, I would have said because “the church, as a family, with its tradition and ritual, has been my rock through some very difficult times”.

With so much in the news about the harm the Christian churches have done over many, many years in the area of sexual abuse, condoned and hidden within its ranks, and now the spotlight on the cultural genocide imposed by colonialism and the residential school system, I now realize that I have stayed a Christian because of Jesus. 

So, who is Jesus really and who has Jesus been for me?  I would have to say that staying a Christian, especially today, is about staying in and with and through the man who defied the abuse of power, who would not bow to empire, who drew no boundaries and welcomed all, who spoke up when injustice was condoned or tolerated, who promoted love and peace and yes, even healing…….so many things……

So, that brings me to another question for those who may be asking themselves who Jesus is?

Has your Jesus stayed the same for you throughout your Christian journey?  

For me personally, Jesus has not stayed the same through my whole life’s journey. He is not that blond haired blue-eyed angelic babe in a manger of my Childhood Christmases.  He is not that meek lamb led to the slaughter on Good Friday.  In fact, he was a man of change, a man with the courage to take on the status quo and question those who wielded power with abuse.  He was and is so many things we may yet discover.

And so, I’ve had to be open to understanding that, even though there’s one verse in Hebrews that says “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” [Hebrews 13:8] Jesus has not stayed the same because I have not stayed the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The church has not stayed the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I realize that, in a very real way, Jesus changes because Jesus changes for the world.

Jesus changes for the institutions of faith, for the church….and if we are unable to let the end of one image emerge for us and a new image of Jesus be born, we are probably in a pretty static place in our own faith.

In her book Freeing Jesus, (Note 1) the author describes our relationship with Jesus as a dynamic opportunity to see God and ourselves perpetually anew – like our celebration of Pentecost don’t you think?

Staying in and with and through Jesus does not mean getting the right answers from a creed, or remembering the points of doctrine from a sermon because, if that is the plan, we probably do not truly know Jesus.

“Who are you, Lord?” [Acts 9:3–5] is the question of a lifetime, to be asked and experienced over and over again. That query frees Jesus to show up in our lives over and over again, and entails remembering where we first met, how we struggled with each other along the road, and what we learned in the process. (Note 2).

So, welcome Pentecost, welcome wind and flames and the stirring of Spirit!

 

In Peace

Pastor Beryl, DLM  

Verdun and its Vets

I got on my bike this week for the first time in 2022, and was riding on the bike path near the waterfront when I spotted this. As you probably know, the stone house located near Lloyd-George at Lasalle Blvd is a local museum called the Maison Nivard de St-Dizier that has just reopened for the season. This outdoor exhibit features photos of life in Verdun during wartime, as well as the shot below of the stone house when it was the Crawford Park Legion.

I was reminded that the museum had created an online exhibit (bilingual!) called Verdun in Wartime: An Engaged Community. It is available to peruse here.

Here’s my translation of the text next to the photo:

A HISTORIC HOUSE FOR VETERANS

This is a photo of the Maison Nivard de St-Dizier in 1979 when it was occupied by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 202 Crawford Park. Starting in 1953, the old stone house became the official meeting place for Crawford Park veterans and an important pillar of community life in the neighbourhood. Most of the parties that were organized there were open to all.

English
Français