Personal Pieces

Summer Break – August 11 – September 10, 2025

Dear Trinity United, I have learned that sometimes when things do not go as planned, better things are brewing ahead. In April 2024, my husband Gary and I were supposed to go away for a ten-day vacation. Unfortunately — or fortunately — we had to cancel our vacation. We received a credit voucher to be used later. Over the months, Gary and I thought about how to use this credit and make the most out of it. We had an “AHA” moment and thought: Why not turn it into something special for our 25th wedding anniversary, which is Sept. 3? (Where … Read more

Reverend Douglas Allan Stewart 1950 – 2024

Dear  Doug, Where do I begin to tell the stories that flood my mind and heart, as I read the news of your passing into eternity? I hear your laughter, I feel your hugs, I remember your wise and comforting words. I will never forget the words you shared with me at my ordination interviews: “I cannot wait to call you colleague after your ordination.” You also reminded me to be my True Self, and the rest of the world will adjust. Thank YOU for being a mentor and a colleague, and a friend who extended an uplifting hand when … Read more

Summer 2024 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“Everything Has Its Time For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to … Read more

Larry Eugene Cochran – Sunrise, March 14, 1944  –  Sunset, September 21, 2023

Reflection from the Celebration of Life held on September 29, 2023 at Portland United Church, Portland, ON. “Suck it Up Buttercup!” If you had the chance to meet Larry, your life never would be the same. The day I met him, in March 2013, the St. Patrick’s Stew supper was taking place at Portland United Church. I had just started a New Call at the church on Feb. 1 of that year. I was informed there were many newcomers to this town since I last finished my internship in May 2010 and completed student ministry on Aug. 1, 2010. I … Read more

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

Prayer of Thanksgiving – God of Deliverance – June 14, 2023

God of Deliverance, Out of floods, you deliver us unto fields of gold.  Out of parched places, you deliver us beside life-giving waters.   No matter where we are,  You are our Deliverer,   And You see us through.   Therefore, today, with grateful hearts we come to You  for all You have done and continue to do.   Your promises are steadfast until the end of time.   Thank You for the Gift of Your Presence.  Thank You for the Gift of Your Peace. Thank You for the Gift of Your Persistent Love.   May we journey on with Hope,   Tell our Stories of … 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. 

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

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