Ministry Pieces

“You ARE Enough” the Spirit Says – November 21, 2019

One of the Gifts of living in Rural Ontario is living a life without much traffic, however we still drive at least forty-five minutes or so to get to a Regional Council Meeting, medical appointment, hospital visits, etc. I’d rather drive far and listen to something nourishing my spirit than getting stuck in traffic and deal with drivers who are always in a rush causing traffic and accidents. Today was one of those days. Even though I am on a break this week from my daily responsibilities at the two churches I serve, I knew that attending the Regional Council … Read more

Canadian Thanksgiving – October 12, 2019

There is more to Thanksgiving than this one day! There was no Thanksgiving Holiday in Beirut, Lebanon where I was born and lived the first fifteen years of my life. But I still remember the Gratitude that my mother uttered with her whole heart no matter how dark life moments were in that war torn country. I remember that whenever I sighed, she would say, “Daughter, say ‘Thanks be to God. Do not waste your exhalation, like that’”. A funny thing… these days, whenever I sigh and, some days, I sigh more than others, her Spirit whispers, “Say Thanks be … Read more

The Gift of Time – July 28, 2019

Below is an article that was written to honour Doug and Peggy Bond… May it be a blessing and a reminder that whatever we do, we do for the Greater Good… So, offer your Gifts, Talents, Time and Finances to make a difference… ****************************************** Time is a rare and precious commodity that many people do not realize. In the Portland United Church and the greater community of this area, we have a man of faith who has dedicated all his life to the Mission of God, alongside was his late wife. These individuals are Doug Bond and his late wife, … Read more

Days Like These – July 22, 2019

In the song titled, “Nobody Told Me” John Lennon, repeatedly says, “Nobody told me there’d be days like these Nobody told me there’d be days like these Strange days indeed — most peculiar, mama…” These words and the music were playing on my mind and heart when I was driving home from Brockville General Hospital, after being with a congregant who breathed his last breath, on July 15, 2019, surrounded with his family, doctor, nurse, me and The Spirit of Peace. I have not heard this song for a long time, but somehow it popped in my head. Today, a … Read more

Trash or Treasure – June 3, 2019

The late Phyllis Tickle has said, and I believe it is in her book, “The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why” (October 1, 2008) that churches go through great transitions every 300-500 years. It is like purging the attic of a house to see what is worth keeping and what needs to go. In the last few months, the neighbouring United Churches where I live and serve have met twice. Our first meeting was held on March 30th and the second, just a few days ago on June 1. In conversations we had many questions come up: What … Read more

God’s Providence: A Tap on My Shoulder – May 8, 2019  

Today, Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at our V.I.B.E. (Venturing Through Biblical Education) morning gathering, we shared how we each have, and continue to experience God’s Providence in our daily lives in different ways. We have been reading the wonderful book by The Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann titled, “The Bible Makes Sense”. Today’s reading, Chapter 2, talks about how we are fed in the wilderness of life, just like Ancient Israel was fed the Heavenly Manna while they were going through the desert of life to The Promised Land. My Personal AHA moment from this chapter was, now that I am … Read more

Be a Blessing & Be Blessed on this Holy Thursday – April 18, 2019

Holy Thursday reminds us how Jesus is glorified by becoming a servant. Holy Thursday empowers us to love and serve each other as Jesus did. Here are a few pictures from the gathering that took place at Elgin United Church (The Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge). A Holy Thursday Service of Anointing and Communion. Holy Thursday is A Gathering to Remember Jesus and his disciples around the table of Love, where Jesus washed their feet, shared the Bread of Life and the Cup of the New Covenant sealed with his blood. Here is a prayer that we prayed as a Community of … Read more

Life’s Journey – Returning to My Roots – with New Found Wings

Dear Friends & Family, It seems that it was just yesterday that the sabbatical journey conversations were starting to take place between The Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge and I, but that was more than eighteen months ago. August 26 marked the last Sunday Worship Celebration for me to officiate in 2018, before beginning this sabbatical journey on September 1. Between planning the trip to Lebanon and Armenia, and balancing curve balls of family duties, I have had the privilege to be with one hundred and seventeen amazing women at Quin-Mo-Lac (A Bay of Quinte Conference / United Church of Canada Sponsored … Read more

Trust Revisited…

Dearly Beloved, Today, I want to share with you the miracle of trust. This morning, I got up and I counted the days, and we are one month away from the Sabbatical Journey to Lebanon. There are many emotions with this anticipation of going back to a place that I left thirty-five years ago. As most of you know, the pastoral charge that I serve, the Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge has been fundraising to reach out to the refugee children who are unable to receive education. The initiative we started is called: “Peace through Education – Lebanon”. Many have given generously, … Read more

Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection…. Are We Ready to Reclaim Jesus?

On May 21, I was on my way to Washington D.C. for the annual Festival of Homiletics, which is an ever nourishing and rejuvenating week-long gathering of ministers/church leaders of Faith Communities that I look forward to every single year – This year marked the fifth year that I have been able to attend, and I was one of 1,700 registered participants from all over the world – Yes, even Australia.   On my way there, I heard that there was going to be a procession on May 24, from one of the host churches, the National City Christian Church, … Read more