Sermon in Blue – January 25, 2014

A sermon outside the box – or at least outside language.  Our sermon today was paint – lots of paint.  And our sermon was music – Rhapsody in Blue to be exact.  And our sermon was words – not spoken though, but on the screen.  Thank you to an amazing congregation for having the courage …

Quadrilaterals & Callings – January 11, 2015

This week, we took a look at a theological concept called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.  With it, we began to explore the idea of experience, and important part of a journey of faith, and of the Christian tradition.  We reflected on that when it goes wrong, like it did in France, or when it goes right, …

What If You Could Push A Factory Reset Button On the World? – December 17, 2014

What if you could push a factory reset button on the world?  If you could, you might creating an old dream – the year of jubilee. The text for Isaiah reminds of this idea, and Jesus walks into a temple centuries later and proclaims it fulfilled.  

Palestinian Keys, Reminders, and Roles – December 7, 2014

This week we took a second look at the book of Isaiah, but from a different section, Isaiah 40:1-11.  Some really interesting questions are raised from this text, and some really interesting reminders and roles as well.  To apply this text to our lives I think the first thing we need to do is ask: …

God, Break Into The Ruins – November 30, 2014

This Sunday we took a good look at a passage from Isaiah.  This complicated but vivid passage helped us set the theme for advent.  Advent, in the traditional Christian calendar, is about waiting.  It’s almost like resetting the story back to the beginning where there is a need for something to break into the world. …

Questions, Eternal Life & Game Shows – November 23, 2014

This week we tackled one of the most beautiful and formative texts of the Christian faith – but also one of the most disturbing, abused and confusing texts in the scriptures.  While the text has been used for many years to inspire caring and love for our neighbours, it has also been used to justify exclusion, …

Mafia Cronies & Third Servants – November 16, 2014

This week, we took a good hard look at the parable of the talents in the book of Matthew.  First, we acknowledged the traditional interpretation, but then suggested that there might be a different way of understanding the scripture.  To help with our interpretation, we employed some volunteers and some props so this one you’ll …

Resurrection Life Bubbles Up – November 9, 2014 – Covenanting Service Sermon by Michelle Slater

On Sunday November 9 in the afternoon there was a gathering where three levels of the United Church committed to walking with each other and with a new minister during a covenanting service.  A covenanting service is kind of like the official start to the journey.  In metaphor terms, it’s a little bit like we …

Do You Really Want to Remember? – November 9, 2014

On Sunday November 9, 2014 at Chemainus United Church, we took time to remember. We took time to remember the people who have died at war. We took time to remember that violence is still far too prevalent. What then, shall our response be. Peace. For peace to happen we must work for it. It …