If you were looking for a modern-day John the Baptist, who would be an acceptable candidate?

I’d like to propose

Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot is a feminist punk rock  

and performance art collective from Russia,  

known for their outspoken activism and provocative performances  

that combine music, visual art, and political...

Instead, we need to remember Jesus’ way was that of servanthood, 

The suffering servant is lifted up on a cross, the tree of shame,

Where God comes nearest identifying with the distressed and the outcast.

(James 1)

This morning, we focus on the indigenous grandmother grandfather teaching of honesty,  

Along with a reflection based on James.

Each of the 7 teachings has an animal that is paired with the virtue, to better illustrate it, and make it more personal.  

Different First Nations pair the teaching or virtue  

with different...

Sermon: Amos 7:7-15 

“Showdown with Amos”

Amos is one of my favourite Old Testament Prophets.

He lived in the 8th century before Christ,  

Amos was from Tekoa, a town south of Bethlehem

a farmer,

he travelled from Judah to the Northern Kingdom of Israel,

to the main cities of Samaria and Bethel

he was active for a short...

Strength in Weakness: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

The summer of 2002  

was supposed to be a fantastic time for me…

I had just finished my first year of my Master’s in Music  

and I had great plans…

I was playing background music most days at a fancy restaurant  

in Old Montreal,  

It was my first regular paying...

Today is the first Sunday in Lent.  

I’d like to begin by repeating my introduction from Ash Wednesday,  

as it sets the scene for the upcoming weeks:

The key word for the season is “Altered”  

A-L-T-E-R not  

A-L-T-A-R which is a table for performing sacrifices. (Point)

The definition for A-L-T-E-R is to...

On this Valentine’s Day which focusses on love, flowers and chocolate,  

as liturgical Christians we nonetheless stick fast to the church calendar  

by celebrating,  

(well celebrating is perhaps the wrong word,)

the most solemn day of the year,  

Ash Wednesday.

(But at least as we know, red does go well with black)!

It...

As I was starting to think about this Sunday,  

I remembered the news item from about a month ago about Nikki Haley,  

the supposedly more moderate Republican candidate,  

who when asked about the causes of the Civil War  

did not initially mention slavery.

This anecdote speaks to the current state of American politics, ...

This morning we hear the church year’s first miracle story,

which emphasizes the authority of Jesus as the Son of God.

In this passage,  

Jesus shows his authority over teaching  

by speaking with a confidence and clarity that differs from the scribes.  

He also demonstrates his power over demons and sickness  

by...

Here’s a familiar scenario you might encounter every other day.:

The phone rings

…the display shows “unknown caller”

or some very strange number that starts with a “v”

…do you pick up?

Do you?

Chances are, no.  

There are just too many scammers around,  

and if it’s really important...