Rev. Takouhi Demirdjian-Petro
Going to do a Blessing of a Home this afternoon… It gives me so much joy when people intentionally make time to dedicate their home, their life to God’s love. I love my work, where the mysteries of life become evident in the liminal spaces. May this Holy Saturday be that liminal space where we wait patiently for the Resurrection Morning.
When I was young, I used to think that the Maundy Thursday evening church services were boring and useless, during Holy week. Maybe it was because my mother always said, “Before we participate in Communion, we must forgive each other and ask those who we have issues with to forgive us”. Of course this was a hard pill to swallow. At Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge, where I have been serving since February 1, 2013, we started doing short Maundy Thursday services at 6:30 p.m. so that even the choir members can join, as choirs meet at 7:30 every Thursday. That is … Read more
One of the hardest Celebrations of Life that I have officiated, so far in my life, took place today, for the Late Doug Good. Doug was more than a Councillor of our town, we had the honor to call him a friend and a colleague. Been praying for over a week now for God to give me the strength and wisdom to carry through. Late last night the words of Psalm 30:5 came to mind and they stuck with me all through the service also… “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”-Psalm 30:5 Therefore I … Read more
As I put together the last paperwork for the journey ahead, I cannot help but to be excited as I anticipate to see our brothers and sisters at Immanuel Baptist Church (IBE) in San Salvador. Would I remember the names of those I had met three years ago? Maybe some, but not all, for sure. That is secondary, because I do remember the Love that binds us together. So we hit the road in a few hours to go to Montreal, so that we can catch our flight to San Salvador, tomorrow a.m. In all this preparation and exhaustion, the … Read more
Today felt like Pentecost even though it is the First Sunday of Lent. The Spirit was palpable, more than usual… After a wonderful worship celebration at Portland United, I went to Elgin United Church and we began our Worship service. As usual, some of my reflection/sermon always gets modified on the second round, but the heart of the matter stays the same. At the time of the prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication I asked the Portland congregation to stretch their arms to the front, as I stood close to the suitcase that is full of goodies for El Salvador, leaving … Read more
Today, February 21, 2017, as the Chair of Presbytery when I said the opening words to constitute and recognize the lands we live upon; the following words flooded out of my heart and mouth, which were not in my script: “When we live with Respect, We live in Peace.” I have been thinking on the drive home and I have realized that the very first person I need to respect is me, so that in the same level, I can respect ALL. May you know: You are Enough – to Make a difference. You are Enough – to Change the … Read more
Today, when I met with my supervisee, at our regular weekly meeting, I had an AHA moment. Since 2009 I have heard about “The Secret”. It was a phenomenon when Oprah Winfrey had a panel of the authors on her show. Millions of copies of this book were sold and many, many lectures and gatherings took place, and still do, for everyone to find the secret of their life. I cannot say that I have read the book or followed everything about this spectacle closely. From what I have heard and learned in the two direct sales companies I was … Read more
Last night, when I heard the recent economic news of North America, I was reminded of this: “…Our economic beliefs have produced a culture that makes poverty, violence, ill health, and fragile economic systems seem inevitable.” (Page xiii) From the amazing book: “An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture” by: Peter Block, Walter Brueggemann and John McKnight. https://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://t0.gstatic.com/images%3Fq%3Dtbn:ANd9GcRdlQ2tDF9jaY4LF82_hXTCiCyjvqJ2Dx5ZGeMhIbVhpUPDPORA&imgrefurl=http://books.google.com/books/about/An_Other_Kingdom.html%3Fid%3D9CCJCgAAQBAJ%26source%3Dkp_cover&h=900&w=600&tbnid=pHqPoTMvFgkP_M:&vet=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=106&docid=ODt4-KLr2r85lM&itg=1&usg=__VZg9fliXQJhrU9blD4bU_rQ6yh4=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi18umL6uDRAhUX-2MKHV0iAVwQ_B0IZzAK
This morning, as i signed my name and today’s date on a form, I realized that in exactly ten months I will be turning 50… I have enjoyed and learned so much thus far, and I look forward to many more lessons and Joys. Here is a picture of me in Kindergarten, at Shamlian Tatikian. I am the very first student on the right hand side, in front of the piano. May Blessings of Growing Wise abound.
I am not sure when was the last time I was on the receiving end of things at a worship service – It has been a while. Today, a special day turned into an extra special one. Thanks to Facebook, I found out that Glenburnie United Church, near Kingston, was having a service of songs. No, it had nothing to do with hymns, but everything to do with songs – any, all, popular, secular (Those songs that are not sung in church). Songs that speak to us; songs that have obvious theological inclination, or in between the lines. As I … Read more