For some, fall means pumpkin spice. For others, it’s the harvest – with fresh apples to enjoy and to bake cakes and pies. Still for others, it’s the cooler, shorter days signal a time to begin to prepare to spend more time cocooning inside. In all these things, there’s an appreciation of creation. And our […]
The season of creation happens to coincide with the early apple harvest here in Central Ontario. Few things are as experientially beautiful as looking at, biting into and tasting a fresh apple. Then some of us sometimes dip it in peanut butter or cinnamon, when we’re looking for a change of flavour. Creation is indeed […]
As I walked barefoot on the grass and onto the rocks, and listened to the waves gently roll onto the rocks, I felt nourished. The shorter days and cooler nights make for better sleep. And the day after Labour Day reminds us of a new year beginning, full of learning opportunities and new friendships, at […]
Summer’s sun fades as do the flowers of the field. The days shorten and the nights become cooler. And this week is the last week of the unofficial Canadian summer, as Labour Day approaches and the kids return to school. Some mark the “end of summer” with the opening of the CNE in Toronto or […]
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 to listen and to help others. She was patient as she listened, gentle as […]
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 inductions, although admittedly two sermons can seem rather intense. At St. Andrew’s Orillia on July […]
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 and discouraging items that appear in the feeds on our phone. In fact, they truly […]
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 and focusing on their needs as a reprieve of their journey. The first featured Abraham […]
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 ourselves. The obvious take of the parable is that someone who was not expected to […]
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 past and a deep breath and some fresh energy would be helpful. The negative headlines […]