Rev. Takouhi Demirdjian-Petro
Pieces of My Life
Every day is a piece of the larger puzzle that we create.
Every moment is the revelation of the bigger picture.
The pieces have dark and light images, but ALL make up One picture.
With its beauty and bleak moments, we do know that unimaginable possibilities are found in every moment for all of us to grow deep and expand our horizons.
The purpose of this blog is to share my journey. The blogs are divided into two sections. One will be snippets of my personal life (Personal Pieces) and the other will be my ministry life (Ministry Pieces); however they both are one whole event called Takouhi.
You are welcome to accompany me on this journey; and as you make the time to read, may you find nuggets of comfort, challenge and courage to help you continue your own journey.
Every moment is a gift, may we share that gift with everyone on this journey of Everlasting Love. Amen.
Broadcast Schedule
Grace United Church - 10:30 am on YouTube
Bread for the Journey - 9 am Sunday on YouTube & Facebook, Noon and 5:30 pm on Cogeco in Smiths Falls, Perth, and surrounding areas.
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Summer Time Away – August 14 – September 6, 2023
Dear Grace United Church, This year, summer arrived with vengeance, and the weather has been as unpredictable as life itself. It seems summer is lingering, yet it is almost running away. I do not know if it is “coming out of COVID” or what, but this summer seems to be busier than ever before for the ministry we share together, and I am ever grateful. Today, August 13, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism and officially welcome members to this Community of Faith. When I tell people that summer is one of the busiest seasons of the year, they don’t ... Read more
Join Us for a Historical Worship Celebration – July 16, 2023
Dearly Beloved, We hope and pray that you are having an amazing Summer – staying safe, cool and hydrated. We are thrilled to share with you that God’s Love is overflowing in and through Grace United Church in Gananoque and we wanted to convey this Good News… Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. (ET) Grace United will hold the very first Pride Worship Celebration ever. You are welcome to join us in person (120 Pine Street, corner Stone in Gananoque) or on our YouTube Channel – (Grace United Church Gananoque – YouTube) May Blessings of Love abound in and ... Read more
A Prayer of Thanksgiving – ORIGINS – June 7, 2023
God of Creation, Out of darkness you brought Light, Out of nothingness you brought Life. From mud you created humankind, Yet, you gifted Your Image to all, And instilled Your Breath in everyone. Thank You for the Gift of Your Life-Giving Word. Thank You for the Gift of Your Spirit in and with us. Thank You for the Gift of each other. May we go forward from here knowing that we are not alone. We live in Your World, In Your Womb, In Your Love – Today and Always. Amen.
Summer 2023 Newsletter – Grace United Church
“Life is short. We do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who journey the way with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” Henri-Frédéric Amiel Dear Grace United Church, Marcus J. Borg, a wonderful theologian, teacher, and lecturer, passed away in 2015, but the above words from Henri-Frédéric Amiel, which Borg used at the conclusion of almost every event, still ring true to my mind and heart. They make Borg’s memory a blessed one to me, personally. Today, as I type this short reflection from my heart, my mind is racing ... Read more
Study Leave – Festival of Homiletics Gathering – May 14, 2023
Dear Grace United, It is the most wonderful time of the year for your minister, as she prepares to leave for her annual preaching conference – Festival of Homiletics. Yes, some people attend music festivals, garlic festivals, and many other sorts of festivals, but your minister attends a preaching festival. This festival is a learning, enriching and growing opportunity for all ministers and lay leaders from all over the world. I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend this festival, either live or virtually, since 2013. It is one of the most powerful lifelong learning events that I attend each ... Read more
A Prayer of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide
April 24, 1915
April 24 is the Armenian Genocide Commemoration date. In 2015, the Canadian Parliament passed Motion M-587 to declare the month of April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month, and mark April 24 as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. A Prayer of Remembrance – Armenian Genocide – April 24, 1915 [1] Holy and Life-Giving God, we come to you today with trust, knowing that Your Spirit hovers over all existence, bringing Light out of darkness, Life out of nothingness, Beauty out of ashes and Resurrection from the depths of the earth. Today, we remember the atrocities of the Ottoman Empire, that was ... Read more
Time Away – Easter 2023
Easter 2023 Dear Grace United Church, What a joy it is to be journeying with you! Would you believe that this is our third Easter together? I have been blessed, and still am, to be serving congregations that understand the hardships of being a minister and offer a reprieve following the high seasons of the church, Advent/Christmas, and Lent/Easter. Preparing weekly worship with meaningful sermons is the small part of the iceberg that is visible from the pulpit each week. Not many realize the depth of accompanying all those who are walking through the shadow of death. Of course, there ... Read more
Mandate of Love – for Holy/Maundy Thursday
Holy One, Your mandate to us is to live Love, and make this world a better place. Jesus, our Teacher, Friend, and Example to follow, took bread, blessed, broke, and gave it to others. He was the Word made flesh, Your Word, the Bread of Life. Today, we want to be like Jesus, and have your Word live in and through us. Therefore, we urge you to bless us, break us, and help us share ourselves with others – even to the point of death. You promise to sanctify and multiply all that we willingly give and help us make ... Read more
Broken & Spilled Out – VIBE closing prayer – March 8, 2023
Holy One, We come to you and offer all that we are and all that we have. We come to you broken and spilled out, tired and worn out from the way of the world, and TURN to Your Love; because Your LOVE breaks down barriers, builds relationships, and strengthens us to CARRY ON. We pray, wholeheartedly, and bow down at the feet of Your LOVE and surrender all selfish ways and live in the WAY ... Read more