Ministry Pieces

Study Leave – God’s Provision – May 15, 2022

Dear Grace United Church, Spring has sprung, and winter coats and shoes are put away. The time has come to open up our hearts and minds to the great outdoors and the Universe, to be recharged and rejuvenated, to make this world a better place. There is an annual conference that takes place in the United States, which I have attended since 2013, called Festival of Homiletics – in other words, Festival of Preaching – Yes, who would want to attend a festival of preaching and listen to 4-5 sermons and lectures per day? I would, yours truly! Why, you … Read more

Invitation to EOORC Virtual Gathering – May 6, 2022

Dear E.O.O.R.C. Family,  Life seems to be at a standstill, yet the days are zooming by.   Our last in-person gathering (Feb. 2020) seems to be a distant memory, but yet it feels like it was yesterday. On April 9, when I went back to Glen Cairn United Church in Kanata, the memories of Feb. 2020 flooded my heart and eyes, as these two-plus years have been difficult.   I am reminded of Ancient Israel, going round and round in the desert attempting to get to the Promised Land – they did because God always brings us through. Sometimes what we need … Read more

Imperfect Beings Living Through the Perfect Love of God – May 1, 2022

Why bother to become a Full Member at a Community of Faith? There are many things in life that make us wonder. So, imagine how many more questions people have about Spirituality, Religion, and being part of a Community of Faith. By no means does a minister have all the answers, but sometimes a minister can offer explanations to help us find our way. Today, I invite you to think how your home address is essential to your everyday life; and how it is the place that you connect with your immediate family, and also how friends and extended family … Read more

Easter 2022 – Low Week/Sunday Note

Dear Grace United Church, What a joy it is to be journeying with you. God has truly blessed us amid this pandemic. As you all know, the life of a minister is a constant balancing act between the joys and the concerns of the Community of Faith they serve, the world we all live in, and their own personal life. 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. Preparing weekly worship with meaningful sermons is … Read more

Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection… Easter 2022

Dear Grace United Church,   We have made a full circle once again and arrived at the most beautiful time of the year – Spring!  Spring is not only a time that lifts our spirits with the beautiful symphony that the birds offer us, with the honking of the geese, but also gives us a feast to our eyes and senses with the blossoming of colourful flowers and scents that wake us up from a slumber.   Easter Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first full moon of Spring. This year, April 17 will be Easter … Read more

Good News is God’s News – September 24, 2021

                        “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory…”                                                                                                                        (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)   Dear Grace United Church Family & Friends, We all know the meaning of need; may it be personal or communal. Today, in the middle of this pandemic, I want to share with you a story of God’s provision through a total stranger. In June, a … Read more

Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection… Summer 2021… 

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16 Dear Grace United Church Family & Friends, The words of Apostle Paul written so long ago to the church of Corinth, still speaks to us today. We all know that perseverance is important, in other words, not losing heart and continuing the journey even when we are facing difficulties of life. We can all agree that life can have difficult climbs at times and when we look back, we can see the incline that we … Read more

E.O.O.R.C. Virtual Gathering – President’s Report – May 7-8, 2021

17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17 – NRSV Ten years ago, when I was ordained into the Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care (Montreal-Ottawa Conference), I never imagined the changes that the world, the church, and I, would encounter on the road ahead. Our inaugural gathering was in Smiths Falls in June 2019. That seems so long ago, but it feels like it was just yesterday. At that time, our Regional Council was only six months young.  Like an infant that age, we were not … Read more

New Life is On the Horizon

Newsletter – Spring 2021 – Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection… Dear Grace United Church Family & Friends, Exactly a year ago today, March 8, 2020, was the last time that I led worship celebrations – like we knew it – at the communities of faith that I served. Without any fear we were shaking hands, hugging each other, sitting side by side, singing fearlessly, praying, passing the Peace of Christ, the offering plates, dancing, clapping, having coffee, cookies, celebrating birthdays, and breaking bread together as the Sacrament of Communion or dinners/lunches for mission fundraisings and otherwise. Today, when I look back, I … Read more

Do NOT be Afraid to Let Go!

Dear E.O.O.R.C. Family, Is it too late to send you blessings of Peace and Joy for this new year, 2021? It might be for some, but I believe that every single day is the beginning of a new year. I have been wanting to write to you since October 21, 2020, but as we all know, after health, time is a precious commodity that we all desire to have more of. It is a year now that COVID-19 threw a curveball to the world and changed the way of life. The United Church folks thought that new way of doing … Read more

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