Author Archives: Laurie Watt

16 Aug
1

Being nourished by the Spirit, we live fruitfully

This week has been a sad one for us at St. Andrew’s: our dear friend and long-time secretary/treasurer Barb Drummond was called home, suddenly. Whether in our office or on the phone, Barb was a gentle person who took time ...

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07 Aug
1

Living courageously and compassionately

The last few weeks in Presbyterian circles in Simcoe County have been exciting ones: new ministers have taken their place amidst the people in Elmvale and Flos and at in Orillia at St. Andrew’s. Few services are as inspiring as ...

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01 Aug
0

Take time to pause, rest in God’s creative love

  Wherever we are on our journey, God reminds us of His enduring, steadfast love. It’s easy to overlook in the rush of the everyday or in the stresses that can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with the 24-hour news cycle ...

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24 Jul
0

Taking time to connect

Relationships – whether with your neighbour, your family or your colleagues at work – require connection. A simple “hello, how was your weekend?” as you encounter a colleague is not only kind, but affirming as we recognize the individual and ...

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18 Jul
1

Seizing the day

Each day is full of opportunities to explore God’s goodness and the wonders of our world. And this week, we explored Genesis 18:1-10 and Luke 10:38-42. Both passages explore hospitality, the art and practice of welcoming others into our home ...

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12 Jul
0

An inspiring spin on the Good Samaritan: being kind to those we meet, wherever

This week, Rev. Joanne discussed the parable of the Good Samaritan. Too often we gloss over the parable Jesus tells as He explains what God expects of us: to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbour as ...

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09 Jul
0

Kids, explore God’s love with us!

Songs, games and fun snacks – and a program that explores the incredible depth and breadth of God’s powerful love for each one of us. As a kid, I’d enjoy going to neighbourhood “camps”, whether run by the city or ...

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06 Jul
0

Mid-week fellowship resumes today

Many call Wednesday “hump day” – as they refer to the workday journey to the weekend. They took a deep breath Monday and lunged into their week. By this afternoon, the work week will be 60 per cent in the ...

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27 Jun
0

Shifting gears into summer

In the days before the pandemic, the last week of June would mean the end of the academic – or activity  – year. Not so this year: At St. Andrew’s, we return not just to thank God and be nourished ...

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19 Jun
7

Going where you’d never imagined you’d go

This week, Rev. Joanne explored Jesus’ trip across the lake to an area no upstanding Jewish citizen would ever venture: In Luke 8, Jesus goes to Gadarenes, located on the east side of the Jordan River and southeast of the ...

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