By Rev. Janet Stobie December is here. Many of us in Canada are busy preparing for Christmas. Statisticians tell us that the majority of people in Canada are no longer Christian. Almost every world religion is represented in our population. Many claim no belief in God at all, yet still… Continue reading
By Rev. Janet Stobie When I was researching my new novel, working title: Wider Horizons, I interviewed Christian Harvey, the director of Peterborough’s One City homeless shelter and drop-in center. As we spoke, Christian pointed to a group of people standing outside the hall door in the rain, their worldly… Continue reading
By Rev. Janet Stobie Thanksgiving weekend is fast approaching. What thoughts do I have to offer? Richard Wagamese, in “Embers,” his book of devotions, tells us that all we truly have are “moments,” precious moments given as gifts by the Creator God. Let’s think about that this Thanksgiving. What we… Continue reading
On the holiday weekend, our Sunday worship theme at Bridgenorth United Church was Joy. The “Tarnished Angels,” Bridgenorth UC’s praise band, led the service. Their music brings joy to the members of the band and to the congregation every time they play. Sandi Deslauriers, a bandmember, shared with us the… Continue reading
By Rev. Janet Stobie Love, Laughter, Humility and Justice Can Grow a Garden of Peace. When I listen to the news today, I feel like the darkness that covered the earth before creation is creeping back. What gifts can we give our children and grandchildren to strengthen their ability to… Continue reading
By Rev. Janet Stobie “We need someone to chair this committee, please.” All eyes turn to the floor. Silence echoes around the room. Many members are thinking, Not me. Not me. A number of years ago, I wrote a children’s book titled“ Elizabeth Gets Her Wings.” Elizabeth, a young angel,… Continue reading
By Rev. Janet Stobie The maple tree outside my window has been dying by inches ever since we moved here. But every year, including this one, it has put out beautiful new leaves, fragile at first, but growing more robust as the season progresses. Today, the single branch left is… Continue reading
By Rev. Janet Stobie Celebrating Mothers is a special privilege for me because I was blessed with two wonderful mothers. Today I want to tell you something special about my mother who adopted me at age fifteen months. She gave me many things. The most important, though, was an introduction… Continue reading
by Rev. Janet Stobie I’ve been reading John Pentland’s “Fishing Tips,” while I’ve been confined at home within influenza. Yesterday, I wrote down his question, “Do we want people to line up to get into our church doors on Sunday morning?” I pictured the sight. Children and adults laughing, talking,… Continue reading
