Friday, July 12, 2013

July 12, 2013

The thunderstorms are awe-inspiring. Late afternoon, right after supper, midnight, five in the morning: the sky turns cloudy, then indigo and grey-green. Delphinium and peonies bow under the hail. Cars drive through water rising halfway up their tires. Sirens shriek and dogs howl. Lightening seems to flash right down my spine. Old Testament voices spoke of the holy power of storms. Something awesome this way comes: power, might, change. They had something right. Not a personification of God, but an awareness of change. What comes to mind for you in the strength of the storm? Is it something you fear? Some change you anticipate? Worry for our environment and our stewardship of the earth? Childhood memories of storms in campgrounds, or a gentle voice singing you lullabies through the thunderclaps? In the life of faith God calls us to examine our responsibilities, face our fears, encourage our friends, comfort our children and step up to the power we have. The questions that come to mind in the seconds between the lightening and the thunder often lead us into those deep reflections. Blessings on you in the spiritual moments of these summer storms. You are not alone, The Rev. Dr. Catherine Faith MacLean

Friday, July 5, 2013

July 5, 2013


After the rain the roses grows thick and pink. After the thunder the sky
is silent. After the river has swollen past its banks and destroyed much of what is valuable to our neighbours, the impact settles like mud on dry ground.


Grief and loss sink deep into the spirit.


As the cleanup proceeds, your church is present. Before you knew it, people and funds were on the ground. Volunteers are showing up. Church givings are being delivered through the local congregations in  High River, Siksika and Calgary. We can make donations through
The United Church of Canada website (www.united-church.ca) and through cheques mailed to St. Paul’s. Cheques should be made out to either The United Church of Canada or St. Paul’s United Church, and marked “Alberta Floods”. All the administrative expenses are covered by our Mission and Service Fund, so every donation we make goes in
its entirety to relief efforts.


And we are listening to the stories, offering the spiritual care Christ taught.


We will shoulder some of the work, some of the grief, some of the heavy lifting. And we will pray for our neighbours.

  
Blessings,

The Rev. Dr. Catherine Faith MacLean