Author Archives: Laurie Watt

12 Jun
0

Letting God out of the box in our heads

Three in One. That’s the message of Trinity Sunday. And many ministers, pastors and preachers have used an array of illustrations to help us understand what God is like. As a child, my Presbyterian minister with an Irish heritage used ...

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08 Jun
0

No Title

Building relationships, building community and building a better world for all of our children. That is the quiet, unspoken truth discussed in St. Andrew’s lifelong learning series that focused on healing and reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours. In the first ...

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05 Jun
0

Defining Christian event was Inclusive

There are defining moments in all our lives, and in the life of the Christian church, Pentecost is acknowledged as its birthday. Just step back in time and imagine you’re going to a festival, a cultural and community event that ...

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29 May
2

Walk softly in springtime

In the pre-pandemic days, St. Andrew’s choir would, every year, sing Walk Softly in Springtime. A gentle hymn of praise and appreciation for the beauty the Creator gives us each day, the hymn is written by Canadian Edna Grant. Have ...

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23 May
0

Relax. God has a plan – for you and for me.

This past holiday weekend, as a horrible storm went through Ontario, it snapped and uprooted trees, cut power for thousands of people, and tragically, resulted in some people dying. The first long weekend of the unofficial Canadian summer season began ...

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19 May
0

St. Andrew’s joins in healing

In many of our communities and churches, we have territorial acknowledgements that often include a phrase about moving forward in a spirit of reconciliation and respect. It is a statement of our commitment to acknowledge not only the lands of ...

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15 May
0

As Jesus loves us, we love others

Inclusivity. It matters. Because it matters to Jesus. And to His disciples, including Peter, who shares the good news of Jesus’ saving love and power with the Gentiles, a group that the religious establishment didn’t exactly embrace. Jesus’ commandment is ...

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12 May
1

Helping people become – and stay – housed

Earlier this week, there were 150 tents pitched along Lakeshore Drive in Barrie. It wasn’t a kid’s camping event, unfortunately. It was an awareness initiative of the housing crisis we face in Barrie. Everyone knows how expensive it is to ...

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08 May
0

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture

Psalm 23 is so well-known it can be taken for granted, as the words quickly roll off our tongues. Let's slow down, walk with our Lord through the pastures and be still. 

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01 May
1

Our history is full of people caring and sharing

Today at St. Andrew’s we celebrated our 173rd anniversary. Our faith community dates back to September 1843, when a group of Presbyterians began worshipping together. Our sanctuary, located kitty-corner from Barrie Public Library’s downtown branch, opened on Feb. 15, 1883. ...

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