RANDOM MUSINGS FROM THE REV…
written by Rev. Vicki Kemper
“Carve out two tablets of stone like the former ones, and come up to me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you smashed, and you shall put them in the ark.” – Deuteronomy 10:1-2 I would like to tell you the story of Shirley Hines, whose spirit was crushed when Hurricane Harvey wrecked her late mother’s coffee cups.
I would tell you how Ann Dahms, a Maryland woman who read of Hines’s loss, went to great lengths to find identical cups and have them delivered to her. It’s a feel-good story for sure: A stranger offered comfort where grief had overwhelmed. The suffering of the flooded guiltless was eased by the caring of one spared. But that’s not what is happening in our Scripture reading at a key moment in the life of God’s people. The two stone tablets on which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments were not smashed to smithereens by a so-called “act of God”; it was Moses himself who destroyed them after coming down from the mountaintop and finding the people worshipping a golden calf. Which is to say: God had no part in this mess.
It was made by Moses and the people; the former slaves God had brought out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.
Yet only their sinned-against God could restore what they had destroyed. So Moses fasted and prayed.
He begged.
He pleaded.
He reminded God of their long history together and even appealed to the Divine Reputation. “Okay,” God said. “Get your stuff together, come back to me, and we’ll have a do-over.” And so they did…. What precious, seemingly irreplaceable gifts have you smashed?
What sacred relationships have you damaged beyond any reasonable hope of repair?
What horrible mistake have you thought unredeemable? “Come on back,” coos the God of Second (and third and four-thousandth) Chances. “Let’s fix this thing.” Prayer No matter how badly I mess things up, O God, let me never fail to appeal to your tender mercies. Thank you for always giving me another chance.
WHAT’S ON AT NDPC …
WHAT: Trinity’s Yardsale to Beat all Yardsales CONTINUES!
WHEN: Sat. Nov. 4 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
WHERE: Trinity
WHAT: Reiki Day
WHEN: Sat. Nov. 4th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
WHERE: St. Luke’s
Take some time out before the hectic Christmas season to relax and recharge with a 1 hour Reiki session. Cost is $30 per session. Contact Linda Arseneau to book (705-566-2597 home, 705-665-3029 cell)
WHAT: Trinity Council Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30.
WHERE: Marg Conibear’s home
WHAT: St. Luke’s Council Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, November 16 at 7:00.
WHERE: St. Luke’s
WHAT: St. Luke’s Annual Christmas Luncheon!
WHEN: Saturday, November 18 from 11:00 to 2:00
WHERE: St. Luke’s
Bazaar, bake table, silent auction, door prizes—festive fun for everyone!
Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children over three and under ten.
Hope to see you there!
OUT OF THE COLD …
Our regular dates to serve this season are: November 10th and December 22nd, 2017, and February 9th and March 23rd, 2018.
This year, there will be an additional dinner on December 29th.
If you would be available and willing to help at this dinner, please speak to JoAnne or Marilyn.
A VERY SPECIAL VISIT!
On Wednesday, November 8th, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell, Moderator of the United Church of Canada will be the guest of the Manitou Intentional Learning Community.
Events will be held at St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church, Sudbury.
Presentations exploring the topic: We the People will take place from 2:00 to 3:30 and from 6:30 to 8:00.
Please also join us for a simple supper and MILC’s AGM from 5:00 to 6:30 (rsvp gillian.schell@sympatico.ca).
AN IMPORTANT COMMEMORATION …
The Manitou Conference Living into Right Relations Committee and the Manitou Intentional Learning Community invite you to the premiere of the documentary movie Truly and Humbly: Memories of the First Apology.
Through the stories of those present at the first Apology to Indigenous people by the United Church of Canada, this movie, directed by Dr. Hoi Cheu, presents the history of the Apology, meditates on its implications and presents a call for action.
The screening will take place at St. Peter’s on Tuesday, November 7th at 7:00 p.m. The hour long movie will be followed by a time for questions, discussion and refreshments. The Moderator of the United Church of Canada, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell will be present. For more information contact gillian.schell@sympatico.ca.
PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS…
In honour of All Saints Day, until Advent I would love to share with you some of the most beautiful and inspiring prayers from the great saint of the Church.
Here is one from St. Ignatious of Loyola:
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will.
-St. Ignatius Loyola
Grace United Church Sudbury 