16 Aug

1

Being nourished by the Spirit, we live fruitfully

by Brenda Stanley in Community, St. Andrew's

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 she considered how to help and kind throughout every interaction – an incredibly helpful combination for the first person someone visiting or calling the church office. She had another side: she was quick-witted and funny with us at St. Andrew’s. At our fellowship circle, Barb’s love of animals was obvious in the way she cared for pets who joined us for the mid-week dip of fellowship on the side lawn. She emanated gentleness and compassion.

So as we contemplate fruitfulness in our worship this week, we can look at the fruits of summer that we continue to enjoy: the strawberries have passed but the peaches now offer an incredibly sweet experience for pies. Each fruit and flower blooms and fades; in its time, it makes our world and our lives better.

And so it is with each of us.

In Isaiah 5, we are reminded of the care God invests in His vineyard and in us, both as a community and as individuals. We read of His determination to see fruitfulness and to prune away that which is not fruitful.

Staying connected to Jesus ensures that we are fruitful and make a difference in our world. God’s purpose for us is that we enjoy Him forever, which means today as well as tomorrow. As we do that, we can’t help but be fruitful: We blossom with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

In our sad times, times when the clouds seem all too dark and grey, a simple prayer can keep us connected to our power source.

And God’s steadfast love does endure, forever.

07 Aug

1

Living courageously and compassionately

by Brenda Stanley in Community, Worship

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 31, Elmvale’s new minister Rev. Tom Mason, gave us the message: live authentically, think deeply and lead courageously. Knox Alliston’s minister, Rev. Tobey Boyer reminded us all of our promises and our faith as she inducted Rev. Shelly Chandler.

That can be challenging in these uncertain times – economically and geopolitically, as inflation and as wars rage. They feel threatening.

At St. Andrew’s Barrie today, Rev. Joanne Lee discussed the parable in Luke 12: Jesus talks about servants always being ready and when they are, their master will celebrate them and reward them. https://youtu.be/sD8LSm9xJvI

Similarly, in Isaiah 1, the prophet challenges us to seek justice and care for others. With our uncertain economic landscape, with rising inflation and stagnant wages, it can be scary to share as we worry about whether we will have enough.

Sharing in such a context is courageous. It shows faith that our Lord will provide. It also reminds us that storing up earthly treasures is vain; not one of us can take anything we’ve collected with us when God calls us home. The fancy cars, the yacht, the mansion and its designer contents are all left for others to distribute; essentially, they get recycled, or perhaps more accurately, reused as they go to others or to charity shops .

We are not alone in our caring for others around us. There are others working with us – as the newly inducted ministers in Elmvale, Rev. Tom Mason, and in Orillia. Rev. Shelly Chandler, attest.

In their induction ceremonies, members of their congregations had to promise to work alongside them; everyone renewed their vow to love and serve God and care for others.

It is really simple, but not easy: The night before Jesus went to Calvary to give all He had, He reminded His disciples to love one another as He loves us.

It takes authenticity (being real, being human, being you), deep thinking about God’s love for us and living and sharing courageously.

01 Aug

0

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

by Brenda Stanley in Community, Worship

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 aren’t feeds and sometimes we need to hit “pause”.

Some of us have ventured to the water’s edge, where the sounds of the waves are calming.

In this long, mid-summer weekend, let’s appreciate the beauty of the season, even in the urban environment: some flowers have faded and others are just beginning to bloom in our gardens. The tulips finished months ago but this week, the Rose of Sharon are beginning to take the spotlight.

The roses continue to share the incredible creativity and beauty of creation.

The flowers along our streetscapes provide beauty on our way. Across from St. Andrew’s, we have the beauty of flowers mixed with older homes.

These are small stops along our journey when we can pause and consider the beauty of our community and our blessings – and most of all, the incredible creativity and sustaining love of God.

Listen to this week’s service, with special music, Above All. We truly are blessed; let us pause and count the gifts and blessings we have, as we hit “pause” from the bustle and clutter. Let us be inspired to share what we can – even words of encouragement. We are all interconnected. Join us in worship at https://youtu.be/SHfi9MPtRf4

24 Jul

0

Taking time to connect

by Brenda Stanley in Worship

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 take a few moments to ask how they are.

There’s nothing like a meal out with a friend you haven’t seen for a while. While waiting for the food to arrive, reconnection is already underway and the intimacy of enjoying a meal together restores the bonds of friendship that may have become frayed over months of isolation or inability to connect.

Admittedly, clicking “like” on someone’s post on social media isn’t really connection. There are even posts some people will put up saying something to the effect, “take time to at least say hello”.

Seems simple enough.

God gives each of us the task of being a messenger – of kindness, of hope, of strength. Wherever we are, we relay His light and love into the darkness.

So I wrote to the Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth; my simple note shared some encouraging thoughts as she celebrated her 96th birthday and prepared for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

A response arrived this week.

The Queen had directed a lady-in-waiting to write to me – likely one of thousands who took time to send a card with some kind thoughts – to thank me. I had thought perhaps, if I were lucky, I’d get a postcard of the palace, but certainly never imagined a personalized letter.

And so it is too with our Heavenly King, our Father, our Sustainer, who loves us with deep, steadfast love. How much more is He likely to listen and to respond.

Certainly there must be times when the connection doesn’t feel particularly strong; that is human. But God never abandons; His steadfast love endures.

Connecting with God, Rev. Joanne noted in this week’s message, is easy. She recalled the example of her mother, who would be in quiet prayer in the family-run convenience store. Fortunately there was a bell on the door, noted Rev. Joanne, which would alert her mother to a customer and to put her ongoing conversation with God on pause for a few minutes. https://youtu.be/mINe5E06C7A

And the example Jesus gives us is similar too. He stayed in touch with the Father; He would go to quiet places to share His thoughts and experiences, as well as seek strength and guidance.

Saying connected to God is more energizing than staying connected to a wifi network and for our wellbeing, it is much more essential. It is indeed powerful.

Yet all too often we panic when the wifi signal weakens or goes off.

God’s wireless connection never goes down. Wherever we are, prayer connects us to God.

It’s simply up to us to say hello, perhaps express thanks for something good that’s happened or just be for a bit.

And there will be a response – although we don’t know what or when. If the Queen can respond, so certainly will the King she, and us, serve.

18 Jul

1

Seizing the day

by Brenda Stanley in Community, Worship

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 and Sarah, the second Mary and Martha. These are familiar passages and the risk of reading familiar passages is that we can too easily gloss over them.

Hospitality. It is a central piece in many cultures: in Indigenous cultures in North America, peoples welcomed others to their territory, gifts exchanged and food shared. So too is perhaps the familiar art of Scottish highland hospitality, as people, no matter how poor, opened their doors and shared what they had with others on their journey. And so it was in Middle Eastern culture even back in the days of Abraham: the heat and hot sun were exhausting and Abraham and Sarah welcomed travellers and shared food and fellowship.

In the incident of Mary and Martha, both women are busy – one with preparing food and other measures of comfort for her guest, the other eager to listen to what her visitor had to share. Both are important elements of hospitality.

Jesus reassured Martha that focusing on her guest was important, although He recognized the practical tasks that involved in her time and day and the pressures she faced.

Perhaps the take-away is we should be ready to open our doors and our minds and hearts to visitors. Our homes are comfortable, perhaps not perfect, but that’s ok. What is asked of us is to be present in the moment.

Our visitors have messages and gifts to share – unexpected blessings. Take time to enjoy them! Stay plugged in to God’s love.

12 Jul

0

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

by Brenda Stanley in Community, Worship

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 help someone in need at the roadside did indeed help, while others did not.

It’s easy today to give to charity or support a cause. Indeed, many organizations that make an incredible difference in the lives of people in Barrie, in Ontario and across our country and around the world rely on donations of money and of time and energy. Our world would be a much crueller, harder place to live if it were not for these groups and their volunteers who strive to show compassion for their chosen group – be it those with addictions, those with disabilities or those looking for a safe place to call home, away from violence.

But too often we overlook the roadside opportunities to show compassion, kindness and grace.

We can show mercy — as the Oxford dictionary defines it as showing compassion when we could choose to punish or harm — in many times and spaces in each day.

It’s often easy to be mean; just imagine being stuck in line while waiting for your morning coffee. A snide remark can come too easily to our lips, and we can justify it to ourselves by blaming it on our needing a dose of java. It takes more strength to be merciful and kind: Indeed, we could skip the nasty remark and instead offer an encouraging word and make a joke about our – and our society’s — craving for a quick caffeinated jolt.

It is too easy to complain to the restaurant manager about the meal that arrived a bit cold or not quite right. Yet, in our days, restaurants continue to struggle as their costs rise and staffing shortages persist. Offering an honest compliment on something that was good would be a balm in someone’s hectic shift. That is the mercy of kindness.

When we see someone make a mistake – and we all at some point have made a mistake – we can choose to gently correct the error, rather than rage and embarrass those involved. That is the mercy of grace.

We can choose to listen to someone at break time or offer encouragement as they share about their morning, afternoon or evening. That is simply being compassionate.

Opportunities abound for us to show mercy, grace, kindness and compassion – all in a day’s work and play. It’s a matter of recognizing them and choosing to be gracious, kind and compassionate. And sometimes, that entails being brave.

To hear Rev. Joanne’s full message of hope, visit https://youtu.be/LC-52Uwebp8; the message begins at approximately minute 32.

You can read more in Luke 10, online at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A25-37&version=NIV

09 Jul

0

Kids, explore God’s love with us!

by Brenda Stanley in Worship

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 a community group. Each one had its own flavour and the sense of adventure I experienced was one of true anticipation and exploration. I never went away disappointed.

St. Andrew’s Barrie has a strong tradition of offering a week-long, morning program in late July. This year’s edition, Monumental, sets off for an incredible explorative journey on July 18 and continues all week. We explore God’s greatness, goodness and most of all, His love.

Find out more or register by following https://vbspro.events/p/events/99136d.

06 Jul

0

Mid-week fellowship resumes today

by Brenda Stanley in Community, St. Andrew's

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 continue and discouragement can too easily. It might be challenging to see what’s ahead.

Join our Come to the Circle, our Wednesday evening refreshing dip of fellowship. Taking place on our side lawn, specifically the Worsley Street side, we can enjoy the summer evening (and still be socially distanced if you’re concerned about that as news headlines mention yet another Covid-19 wave).

Bring a chair and a quest for fellowship and encouragement as we gather at 6:30 p.m.

See you there!

27 Jun

0

Shifting gears into summer

by Brenda Stanley in Community, St. Andrew's

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 as His/Her/Their family on Sundays, but other activities are resuming too.

This week, we saw the Sunday school children receive their certificates and we welcomed new members. In our broader community, we saw Kindergarten, Grade 8 and Grade 12 students move onto a new phases of their lives.

We can reflect back on the years of the pandemic and what we could and couldn’t do and we can look ahead with hope that God will provide us with new opportunities to grow and to make our world better than we found it.

We can look up at the sky and consider the wonders that await.

We can walk slowly as we go about our days and look for the beauty of the flowers at the side of the parking lot or sidewalk.

We can look at a neighbour’s garden, a municipal garden or our own to find the beauty of geometry and colour.

Join us Sundays at 10 a.m. for worship or Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., for fellowship on our side lawn. Together we can share the beauty of what God has given us to enjoy.

As we celebrate Canada Day, let us be thankful of the beauty of our nation and the life we have.

Summer is an incredible opportunity for us to shift gears and to see and experience new things, especially after these past two years. Join us!

19 Jun

7

Going where you’d never imagined you’d go

by Brenda Stanley in Community, St. Andrew's

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 Sea of Galilee. There the people were Gentiles and they raised and ate pork. The culture and traditions were very different from the Jewish ones. You can listen https://youtu.be/SRHBQXZbrdk

Jesus didn’t let legalism or fear of the unknown or the different discourage Him from healing and helping. There, he helped a demon-possessed man break free of his afflictions and go on to live a life in the community, rather than in the tombs and dark places. Jesus began by asking the man his name, an incredibly respectful gesture that goes beyond acknowledging the individual.

As settlers, we are the foreigners on the land we now call Canada. We are descendants of colonials who brought in different customs and ways of seeing the world.

And those who came before us worked with the colonial government in a shameful venture – residential schools.

This month in Canada is Indigenous History Month.

We look to learn, to understand and to heal. In listening to Indigenous voices and learning about culture and their respect and care for the land, we are part of a healing process. We can learn about Barrie’s history and those who lived here and welcomed us in a spirit of sharing and friendship.

In the third life-long presentation this spring, we will learn about treaties: what they meant to those who were party to them as well as what they mean to people, Indigenous and settlers, today.

Join us at 7 p.m. Wednesday, either in person or check out our YouTube channel for the livestream or recording.

It isn’t going to be a comfortable place to explore, but it is an important one. Jesus had courage as He crossed the lake and we need to have the same courage as we confront our own history and how to heal and move forward.

Here is a link to that presentation https://youtu.be/vqK_q65-Wpk

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