(Day 19) On covenants and being Canadian...

I have some time this morning so I will offer an entry now and then enjoy the rest of Canada Day and the long weekend, only to post again on the evening of the 4th which will be the eve of my departure.

Last night saw us gather as Chaplaincy community to install Rick Burk to the position of Director General, Chaplaincy Branch, receive the work of the declaration committee and officially end the CSC stream of this event.

The service was over two hours long and in my humble opinion tried to do a few too many things in the time allotted.  The trio of musicians really added to the service and it was encouraging to see so many chaplains recognized for their years of service by the IFC.  I stumbled a bit over the liturgical appropriateness of an installation service when Rick was selected according to the Human Resources policies and procedures of the Civil Service... but that's just my stuff.  The words of Covenant offered by Rick were encouraging and will offer a challenge to us all as we continue this ministry that is ours together.

It was so uplifting to stand shoulder to shoulder and share songs of the Christian faith and be joined in community by persons from other faith traditions that make up this wonderful cultural and religious mosaic that is Canadian society.

This morning there is a plenary session followed by lunch and workshops in the afternoon.  This evening, Pierre Allard, former Chaplain General of CSC will address the Convocation in a plenary session.

Tomorrow I will take the afternoon off and go to a Blue Jays game, come back and pack that evening in preparation for my return home on Sunday morning.

Happy Canada Day!!!

until July 4th... on the Sabbath Road...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Blanket of Humility

A Sermon Preached Sunday June 25th, 2017 based on Luke 10:25-37 Jesus told a story in today's Gospel reading so I shall begin by doing the same – it’s a story of an experience I had a few years ago taking part in the Blanket exercise with other Chaplains and Elders serving with the Correctional Service of Canada. The floor of the prison gym is criss-crossed with colourful blankets. We move from blanket to blanket, greeting each other quietly, occasionally trading items – a cornhusk doll for a braid of sweet grass, a piece of leather for a dreamcatcher. The blankets represent the northern part of Turtle Island, or North America, before the arrival of Europeans. The participants in this exercise are immersing themselves in the world, 500 years ago, of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, its original inhabitants. Then, the the world changes. A facilitator folds up corners of the blankets, making the land “smaller” as the participants learn about the Indian Act of 1876 tha
Read more

(Day 23) On decisions, driving, destinations and decisions...

Image
Odometer Reading Well, after a less than restful night, tossing and turning, wrestling with whether to leave or not, I left.  At 5:30 AM I was up and dressed and on the road at 6AM.  With a bagel in my belly and a tank full of gas I left Sackville and a whole lot of people I love in my rear view mirror.  Destination: the next gas station when needed! I like to ride.  And it was a fine morning to ride.  As the fog burnt off and the puddles from last night's rain dissipated, before I knew it I was in Renous.  A glance at the gas gauge and the passing sign indicating distance to Plaster Rock... decision... gas up now or go for it...  I went for it, knowing that I had 2 gallons in the can resting behind my left foot if I ran out!!  To make wonderful scenic and sensory drive through the Renous Highway all too short... I made it. I stopped at the Irving to gas up and as I was preparing to go in and pay one of the locals struck up a conversation.  I no sooner responded to his all t
Read more

GC 41 (Day 4) Tweeting twittering twit that I am...

Image
It is the day after. My head hurts.  I am writing as if I wrote this reflection on Day 4 before Day 5...  are you confused yet?  If so then you might begin to be able to appreciate the space my head is in! Breanna Redden-Kelly waiting at the microphone. Day 4 began with the Council beginning to consider the previously amended Report of the Working Group On Isreal/Palestine Policy.  The Council carefully worked through the proposal seeking clarity and then listened as two invited guest spoke to the Council.  Both guests were very gracious in their comments.  Unfortunately Dr. Victor Goldboom went overtime.  Even more unfortunately a member of the court rose on a point of order and attempted to limit his time. This is not how we practice radical hospitality. Table Group 19 Perhaps it was by plan or design or just coincidental - however - it was fortuitous that we reached an order of the day and did not move to the motion phase in our process today.  We were allowed to go awa
Read more