(Ir)Reverend Ramblings

In Psalm 90 verse 10 it says, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore,”. The writer of that ancient poetry seemed to think that the expected life span was 70 years and one would be beating the odds to live to 80. But according to Statistics Canada the Canadian population is aging. In 2011, the median age in Canada was 39.9 years, meaning that half of the population was older than that and half was younger. In 1971, the median age was 26.2 years.

Seniors make up the fastest-growing age group. This trend is expected to continue for the next several decades due mainly to a below replacement fertility rate (i.e. average number of children per woman), an increase in life expectancy, and the aging of the baby boom generation. In 2011, an estimated 5.0 million Canadians were 65 years of age or older, a number that is expected to double in the next 25 years to reach 10.4 million seniors by 2036. By 2051, about one in four Canadians is expected to be 65 or over.

We are experiencing the ‘gray tidal wave’ everywhere and especially in the church. Those who valued the traditional values of church and community participation are still the pillars of many mainline congregations even as their hair grays and their steps slow. We have many, many people here at BUC who are in the “Over-80 Club” and a few who are over 100 years of age.

Living longer is a paradox: the Bible sees long life as a blessing but our advanced medical care and improved diet means extended life beyond the imagination of previous generations. With age comes limited physical ability and the older people get the more cognitive problems they face. The World Health Organization says dementia numbers are about to soar. Their projection says that while we have 35.6 million cases of dementia worldwide today by the year 2050 there will be 115.4 million cases. These numbers are staggering especially when we consider the social impact of caring for people with dementia. Do you think that we are ready to face the challenges of this reality? Does the church have a particular role in caring for our aging population? If so, how are we doing?

Thousands poured into the South African stadium today despite the pouring rain to honour and say farewell to Nelson Mandella. It was a moment of sadness marked by speeches, song and dance.

The Canadian delegation received loud applause when they were announced. This a result of Canada’s proactive support of Mandella at a time when many countries considered him a terrorist.

In a stirring speech President Obama implored people to follow in the splendid example of Mandella who, despite 27 years in prison was able to not only face his enemies but to embrace them with forgiveness. His walk to freedom brought about justice and reconciliation in South African – a stunning miracle given the history of the country. In addressing the crowd Obama said, “His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy. The world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandella with us.”

Yes we do, thank you South Africa for the crucible of violence and racism that formed and shaped Nelson Mandella for us.

Nelson Mandela died yesterday. An icon, a world leader, a inspiration, a man who spent 27 years in prison but then rose above anger and revenge to lead his country into a new day. Apartheid had kept him down as a boy and young man, it caused him to be a revolutionary and led him to violence, which landed him in a prison cell but then he brought about a revolution through quiet and just leadership and overthrew decades of racism and injustice.

Prison could have hardened him, made him vengeful and angry. When released from prison he famously said, “To be free is not just to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedoms of others.” And then he spent the rest of his life showing respect and building up freedom for all.

He said once, “Don’t call me a saint … unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps trying.” Nelson mandela kept trying, trying to bring right out of wrong, trying to make a better life for the citizens of his country, trying to show the world a more excellent way. He was a saint. Good bye Nelson Mandela and thank you – the world is a better place because of you.

Well it seems that the media has tired of the Rob Ford story and we can actually hear other news from across the province and around the world! When the story was unfolding a couple of weeks ago it seemed that everyday brought some scandal or provocative news bite. It was a gong show! CBC touted their scoop when they got the one-on-one, I guess that should read one-on-two interview when the Ford brothers asked for an interview with Peter Mansbridge. In that interview the conversation ranged from penitent to belligerent. I could only wonder what Peter Mansbridge was thinking as he used his best interviewing technique.

At one point in the interview Rob Ford spoke of his father, the late Doug Ford Sr. a former MPP. He mentioned that his father had taught Sunday School and so Rob knew right from wrong. Hmmm, his actions might bely that claim. Towards the end of the interview as he spoke about his turn-around in behaviour he said he “had a kind of ‘come to Jesus’ moment” and indicated he is now living life on the straight and narrow.

My immediate reaction was, “C’mon Mayor Ford can we please leave Jesus out of this mess?” But I have continued to mull over the words. I don’t know if Mr. Ford had a spiritual moment, a “came to himself” prodigal son kind of moment as described in the Gospel of Luke somehow I doubt it. Just the same it is a line that gets trotted out when people speak of that transformative, restorative experience that changes lives. Interviewing diva, Oprah would often speak to her guests about having a ‘come to Jesus’ moment. When I hear this kind of comment on television it makes me wonder if the people really mean what they say and who Jesus is for them.

Do you think it is appropriate for someone like Rob Ford to talk about a ‘come to Jesus moment’? Have you ever had a transformative moment like that?

Saturday was a very big day at Bracebridge United Church. The event began months ago when people started making plans for the day. Jams, jellies and pickles were preserved. Knitting and quilting was accomplished. Treasures were rooted out of closets and cupboards and polished up for new owners. Friday the church was humming with disciples carting tables, hanging decorations and packaging baking. All this so that Saturday morning at 9 am the doors could be thrown open for the public to come in and come they did. Crowds bustled about snapping up bargains, keepsakes and Christmas gifts.

This was the second year for our Christmas Market Place. We decided two years ago to call it a “Christmas Market Place” and not a Bazaar as many church call such a function. We decided that this is bigger than a bazaar given that it includes a Silent Auction as well as crafts, Christmas wreaths, preserves, baking, a kids crafts room and a lunch room. In fact, we try to offer as many options as the building will hold in the various rooms.

The day was successful in many ways. Yes, it did generate funds for our church treasury to help pay the bills through the upcoming winter. This was a prime motivator but equally important the day gave opportunity for many, many members of the congregation to get involved in making it such a success and we all felt good about that. Thirdly, it gave opportunity for many in the community to come into our building and get to know a little more about our faith community.

It was a lot of work but it was fun. Well done BUC!

Yes, it has been a while since I last wrote on my blog. Sometimes life overtakes my best intentions. October and into November was filled with many activities at BUC – a lecture by Samantha Nutt, the Women’s Retreat, our play “This Hour Has 365 Days”, and this week preparations for our Market Place. There have also been difficult funerals. Saying good-bye to loved ones is never easy.

Tonight, like most Canadians I sit before the news transfixed by the horrible news coming out of the Philippines. On the United Church website it says, “Possibly as many as 10,000 people were killed. Entire villages were leveled by high winds and towering waves. Vital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power installations, has been destroyed or damaged. The President of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino, has declared a “state of national calamity.”

How grateful I am that our United Church of Canada works closely with our partners—the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)— so that any money sent by United Church of Canada will go directly to those churches where it can be used by those already on the ground and in place to support and assist the local people.

I will donate and I will hold the people in prayer.

Malala didn’t get the Nobel Peace Prize but just the same she has won the hearts of many around the world for her courage and her insight. She has remarkable wisdom for a girl of her age and she is able to articulate it in such a way that is both moving and inspiring.

This morning at our Women’s Morning Out we listened to the 45 minute interview she did with Anna Maria Tremonti earlier this week. The dozen women, all old enough to be Malala’s grandmother, sat in rapt attention as this young prophet spoke of the value of education. She repeatedly said that the way to peace and justice is through education.

It is possible to also watch on-line the interview Malala did with Jon Stewart. Not many people can leave Jon Stewart speechless but she did when she said what she would like to say to the Taliban which was that education is the right of everyone and that is what she wants for all children – education.

As we move into the Thanksgiving Weekend (and it is shaping up to be a beautiful autumn weekend complete with sunshine and brilliantly coloured leaves!) I am most thankful for prophets in our midst, in particular for a young woman who will risk all for the good of the world. Malala said when she spoke at the UN she saw before her the youth and adults who were present in the room but she also saw the millions of girls and boys, women and men around the world who were suffering because of injustice, violence and conflict. She spoke for them saying that the world needs to find peace and to allow equal rights for all. Amen Malala and thank you for your courage and wisdom.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The citizens of Ontario have learned that the cancellation of proposed power plants, cancelled it would seem for political expediency, will cost close to a billion dollars. The Prime Minister pirogued parliament in the vain hope that Canadians would forget about the Senate scandal. (Does he think we are that stupid?) Meanwhile south of the border the American government is paralyzed because of a political deadlock and most of their federal employees can’t go to work and won’t get paid and many services are closed down.

What is wrong with the ‘leaders’ of these North American countries? Is political maneuvering more important than respecting and serving the citizens of the country? I think it is shameful that our governments have put political expediency ahead of good governing. Shameful.

Good governance is important for the smooth running of a country and it requires respect of its people. What I am seeing is bad and expensive decisions, dishonest political expediency and disrepect for the citizens of the land. Maybe for Thanksgiving many of our politicians should eat crow instead of turkey.

For the past nine months I have been working with three other women to bring something exciting to birth! We are bringing physician, humanitarian, activist and author Dr. Samantha Nutt to Bracebridge. We call ourselves Team Nutt and we have been working hard to publicize, throughout our community, that she is coming next Friday night. Imagine my delight when watching the news tonight (Tuesday) I saw her on CBC’s The National. She was part of a panel addressing the “The Mystery of CSEC” and the accusation from Brazil that we have been practicing cyber-spying and spying on them. It was an interesting discussion exploring the impact that cyber-spying will have on Canada’s reputation on the global stage.

Samantha Nutt is the founder of War Child Canada and her book “Damned Nations” tells of her life experience visiting war-torn countries as she explores the impact of war and conflict on people, in particular women and children. She makes some hard assertions that we are all culpable in the global interactions when it comes to conflict and armaments. We are very much looking forward to hearing her presentation.

This is a second annual lecture. Last year we hosted Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. We were able to sell out the theatre when Dr. A. came. We still have tickets to sell but we are confident that by next Friday, October 18th we will be welcoming a theatre full once again.

Why do we do this? Because we feel it is a call of our faith to bring to our community speakers who challenge us and make us think – especially in the area of Christian ethics. There is little in life where it is easy to say, with certainty, that any given action is straight-forward and correct. Samantha Nutt, like Dr. Abuelaish reminds us that global interaction is complex and what may seems like a small action in Canada can have large ramifications on the global scene.

If you are in Bracebridge – be sure to get your ticket for Samantha Nutt -speaking on Friday, October 18th.

Audrey Tobias is an 89 year-old and she is one strong woman. Tobias has been in the news this week as reporters covered her ‘day in Court’. She is charged with violating the Statistics Act.

Audrey Tobias is a slightly built woman with fiery red hair and a heart for justice. She served in World War 2 and the veteran is now a peace activist. Tobias has nothing against the gathering of census information but she was not impressed when she learned that the processing of the Canadian census information is done by the American firm Lockheed Martin, an American arms behemoth. In defiance she refused to fill out the 2011 census form.

She says she will not pay a fine if convicted. This could mean up to a three-month-stay in jail for the octogenarian. In the standing-room-only courthouse yesterday she testified, “When I learned that the contract for the information technology was being given to a foreign company, I was shocked. I am ashamed of my prime minister in Canada who ultimately made the decision.”

Her defending lawyer presented the case saying that forcing her to complete the census would violate her freedoms of conscience and free expression.

Tobias must now wait until next week to hear how the court will rule. No doubt many will be waiting to hear his decision on October 9th.

In the meantime how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you think it is okay to break that law if they go against your convictions? Does your faith and the example of Jesus influence you in this?