Post Easter – Time Away – 2025

Dear Trinity United Church, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Now it is time for all the ministers of the world to rise as well. I have been blessed, and still am, to be serving United Church Communities of Faith who 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 … Read more

Easter 2025 Reflection – Trinity United Church

Dear Trinity United Church, What a year 2025 is turning out to be! Not only is it the 100th anniversary of this United Church of ours, but it also marks the beginning of our journey together. If someone had told me on January 1, 2024, that I was going to start a new Call in a year, I would have laughed like Abraham’s wife Sarah, as it never crossed my mind that such a moment was in store for me and my family. January 5, 2025, was the very first Sunday for me to lead worship celebrations at Trinity. It … Read more

2024 – Minister’s Annual General Report – Grace United – Gananoque

Grace United Church – Gananoque Minister’s Annual Report 2024–AGM 2025 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-3 Dear Grace United Church, 2025 appears to be a year of new beginnings … Read more

Advent 2024 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NRSV) Dear Grace United Church, What does this verse have to do anything with Advent and Christmas, you ask. My answer is everything. My thoughts go back to January 5, 2005, the first day of my journey to become an ordained minister through the United Church of Canada. I had to complete my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), before I could attempt to earn my Master of Divinity (M.Div.). The Journey began at Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. I remember clearly one of the professors, … Read more

Change of Pastoral Relations – Announced on October 13, 2024

Dear Grace United Church, One never knows what the future holds, and moreover, sometimes we wander through a far wilderness to arrive at a destination that is right beside us. I write this note from my heart with bittersweet emotions. As of January 1, 2025, I will begin serving God through Trinity United Church in Smiths Falls, which is half the distance for me to travel compared to Grace. In the last four-plus years, Grace United Church has been a great place to serve the Creator and to experience a wonderful time of growth for both me and the Community … 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

Fall 2024 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“There is a time for everything,     and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) Dear Grace United Church, This year, September 22 marks the first day of autumn. Fall is my favourite season. If I had a choice to rearrange the seasons, I would put Autumn, Spring, Winter and Summer. Yes, a little messed up, but thank God, the Creator has arranged everything in its perfect way and time. If you ask me, where did the summer of 2024 go, I will say: “I do not know.” Moreover, I will add and say: “I do … 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

Lent-Easter 2024 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NRSV) Dear Grace United Church, Lent has begun and we are journeying through the wilderness of life. This wilderness does not appear at Lent only and disappear at other times. If we really think about it, life is a journey in the wilderness. Sometimes we hit luscious greenery with beautiful waterfalls, other times we are lost in the sandstorms of life, left dried and brittle, not knowing which way to go. This year, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, … Read more

Advent 2023 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“Advent: Redirecting our lives to God’s authority and aligning oneself to the coming of the Realm of God!” – Rev. Takouhi Dear Grace United Church, Are you ready for Advent? Do you remember what Advent is? We already know the long nights are here, and the hours of daylight have become shorter and will be even shorter until December 21, and after that longest night, the daylight hours will be starting to get longer and longer, slowly but surely. We do know this, and we hold on to this Hope. As your spiritual leader it is my duty to immerse myself … Read more