Parting Prayer for a Funeral

The following prayer is written for the late William Kenneth Derraugh (September 8, 1927– December 29, 2016 ) – feel free to use the prayer whenever you need it… May Blessings of Peace abound. O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered:help us to be deeply aware to the fragility of life, and let your Holy Spirit lead us through this physical world with courage and peace – Your Peace. May we find confidence in Faith and comfort in Hope. Through Your Eternal Love may we live with one another in harmony, as we journey … Read more

Gathering Prayer for a Funeral – January 6, 2017

The following prayer is written for the late William Kenneth Derraugh (September 8, 1927– December 29, 2016 ) – feel free to use the prayer whenever you need it… May Blessings of Peace abound. O God, Creator of all life, help us to accept death as part of life. Help us to trust in your goodness and great love for every one of us. As we now feel the pain of parting from Ken help us rejoice that so many were privileged to experience life with him. Help us entrust him to your care in life after life, as you … Read more

Thought #1

I found this thought in one of my e-mails that I have sent to myself on February 25, 2008 “Life might take you to a place that you never imagined. Don’t despair,  for where you are is where you are ought to be.” I found this picture taken on February 17, 2008 in Ste. Agathe, Quebec. Gary and I went there after leading Sunday morning worship celebration at Morin Heights United Church. It was perchance we found this dog sledding competition. A true gift to us; especially to Gary, the day after his 44th birthday – it was a Joy … Read more

More than Eyes Can See – January 2, 2017

A quiet day. Cleaning files. Gathering things around the house to donate. Preparing to face the new year more organized and calm. I wanted to have a cup of tea before bedtime. While heading to the kitchen I wondered, “Where is Maya?” But Maya is not around. She passed away on October 12, 2016 (Yom Kippur). I did not make anything out of it and did not say a thing, because we are dog sitting and wondered if having that little princess with us was making me think of Maya. But we had had this little princess with us since … Read more

A Priceless Gift…

What an AMAZING Gift to hear the students of my childhood school reciting one of my poems… Shamlian Tatigian Secondary School, thank you for giving me a Faith-filled foundation to grow upon and making my Christmas 2016 an extra special one… May Blessings of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love abound at this Christmas Time and ALWAYS. My Prayers are with you!   www.facebook.com/shamlian.tatigian/videos/630100447174326      

Advent IV – Sunday of Love – December 18, 2016

What a gift it is to go to church and be with those who have come together in spite of the freezing rain… Besides the congregants and visitors that were out to worship celebrations – we had five visitors at Elgin United Church, that live in the neighborhood – who knew! When I entered Elgin United Church after doing the worship service in Portland, someone said, “You look tired” I told her, “I am, as I have not taken any days off these past two weeks; but I am certain I will soon be energized”. The Spirit never disappoints me… … Read more

Life Thirty-Two Years Later – December 13, 2016

It was the early morning of Thursday, December 13, 1984, before I was up to get ready to go to school the phone rang. It would always ring at weird hours of the day due to the time difference between Lebanon and California. But this ring was different and it made me jump out of bed and say, “Dad” and tears started to flow down my cheeks. My sister was on the phone in her bedroom and a few minutes later I heard her crying. I went to see her and my feelings were right – our father had passed … Read more

Exploring New Horizons… December 5, 2016

What an exciting moment to receive an e-mail this morning from the Galerie du Séminaire, in regards to the photos i had submitted for the Vernissage that will take place early 2017… Here is a portion of the e-mail. “Dear Takouhi, We are so pleased that you chose to engage with us in the UTC Galerie project “LET THERE BE LIGHT”. Thank you very much! It was encouraging to receive so many photos. This gives impetus to consider future themes for photographic works. You will be invited to the Vernissage for “Let There Be Light” and we will be sending … Read more

In Our Diversities: MANY Commonalities…

I was so glad to see this commercial on TV this past week. I wanted to share it with you… May we embrace diversity and Celebrate all the Gifts each one of us bring. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/amazon-christmas-advert-commercial-sainsburys-youtube-dinatokio-diversity-marketing-pr-brexit-donald-a7447826.html

Prayer for Advent 1 – HOPE

God of infinite Love, we yearn to see the break of the New Day as we begin this Season of Hope. As a child anxiously waiting by the window, the return of her parent to come home, we wait for the source of all Hope to be evident to us once again. Anticipating and expecting for the break of dawn. Even in darkness You walk with us. May Your promises become reality with every step we take and every breath we breathe. We pray in the name of the infant child, Immanuel — God with us. Amen.