christianity

Ian’s Inklings – February 20

Occasionally I come across a Biblical text that I really don’t want to preach on. And this week’s suggested reading from Luke’s gospel is one such passage. “I say to you, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you,” Jesus said. “If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt… Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

To say the least, I find these to be challenging words, even at the best of times – and these are hardly “the best of times.” Donald Trump’s plans to impose strict tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the U.S. and to try to turn Canada into “the 51st State” threaten our economy, our values, and our independence.

Consequently, many of us are coming to view the United States as an “enemy” that “hates” us. So we’ve become angry. We feel threatened. And we’re fighting back.

Given our situation, Jesus’ words seem strange and perhaps even dangerous. Therefore I’ve been sorely tempted to ignore them and find another text that seems more suitable (the story of David killing Goliath, perhaps?) But one of the reasons preachers like me follow the Revised Common Lectionary (a three-year cycle of Biblical texts for every Sunday) is that doing so forces us to wrestle with texts we’d rather avoid. So that’s what we’re going to do this coming Sunday. What did Jesus mean when he said “love your enemies” and “do good to those who hate you?” Can these challenging words help us navigate the turbulent waters we now find ourselves in? And if so, how?

I look forward to seeing you this coming Sunday morning at 10:30 am.

February 20, 2025

Ian’s Inklings – January 24/2025

Earlier this week, the sermon preached by Episcopal Bishop Mariann
Edgar Budde at Tuesday’s National Cathedral prayer service elicited a
storm of controversy. And President Trump seemed to have been
especially troubled by her plea that he “have mercy upon” the nation’s
immigrants, especially on families who were fearing deportation and fleeing
war and persecution. Referencing Trump’s belief that God had saved him from assassination, Bishop Budde said, “You have felt the providential
hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.” Her message appears to have fallen on deaf ears. Indeed, the President called her
words “nasty” and “inappropriate,” and demanded that she issue an apology.

Like it or not, the Bible is filled with words and messages that aren’t always easy to hear. And Trump’s reaction caused me to wonder how many times the word “mercy” appears in the Bible. It turns out that the answer is 339 – 296 references are found in the Old Testament, and 43 in the New. What’s more, calls to be kind, compassionate, merciful and just appear far more frequently. – including in the suggested lectionary text for this coming Sunday (Luke 4: 14-21). Here, Luke describes Jesus’ first sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth, and it’s filled with words that are strikingly similar to those uttered by Bishop Budde on Tuesday. So we’ll reflect on what it might mean to take Christ’s message of long ago seriously, and what some of the implications can be for us and the world.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 10:30 am.

January 24, 2025

If you’ve dropped by the church in recent days, you’ll have seen that it’s been a busy place. Part of the reason is that the Returning Office for the Saint John – Lancaster riding has been located in our building since early September, and over 1900 people (1901 actually!) dropped in to vote at the two Advance Polls on Saturday and Tuesday. More will be in the building this coming Monday, so the place will again be busy. This activity is welcome, and the Elections New Brunswick staff have been great to have
around. So thanks to all of you for helping make everyone feel welcome.

Of course, this is only one of many ways that the church is being used by members of the surrounding community. Even when it’s not election season, it’s estimated that about 400 people from the neighbourhood come here every week – to drop their kids off, to sing, or to engage in other activities. In providing space for these endeavours, St. Mark’s is offering a very important service to the community – which I know is appreciated.

These realities have led our Unified Board to authorize the installation of some new
signage around the church. We want to send a clear message that “all are welcome
here,” and also to let people know the time of our Sunday morning worship service. So some signage was designed and ordered. Two new outside signs were put up this past Saturday, along with an inside banner over the doors into the sanctuary. As well, photos of some church activities have been posted in a display cases in the foyer, along with a striking advertisement for the upcoming “Harvest Hoedown.” I think it all looks great – and am most grateful to all those who have worked hard to make these projects happen.
To be sure, all this is a work in progress – and additional signage and advertising possibilities are now being explored. For the goal is to do everything we can to spread the world that St. Mark’s is alive and well, and is a place where all are welcome.

And you can also help to share this message. Church signage is important. But so too is speaking to friends, family members and neighbours about what we’re doing. Indeed, all of us can help to strengthen our church by letting our friends know about an upcoming social event. By sharing the church’s Facebook posts (including my little sermon “teasers”). Or by inviting someone to come to church with us on a Sunday morning. By working together, we can all do our part to ensure that St. Mark’s remains a strong, relevant and welcoming community of faith.

Votive Candles and Prayer Requests

Ian’s Inklings – September 27, 2024

Over the last several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several congregations that have been in times of transition. Every church has its own rituals and routines, so I’ve enjoyed a unique opportunity to experience some new ways of doing things. Consequently, the Search Committee has encouraged me to introduce some different elements into our worship services during this interim period, Therefore, this coming Sunday, you’ll see a couple of new things taking place.

First, you’ll notice a small table in front of the pulpit with a large white candle and some small votive ones around it. This will give you the opportunity, if you wish, to come up before the service begins and silently light a candle in memory of someone, or for a person you care about. I’ve discovered that some people find this little ritual to be very meaningful, and perhaps this will also be the case for you.

Secondly, you’ll see me greeting you before the service with a “prayer request” sheet. You’ll be invited to write down the FIRST name (to protect privacy) of someone you’d like us to pray for, and I’ll mention all these names in the Pastoral Prayers during the service. Once again, sharing a name is entirely optional. But including specific references in our prayers can remind us that all people are important to God, and that, together, we’re asking God’s blessing on these particular individuals.

Therefore, these two new elements will be part of our worship service for the next several weeks. The Worship Committee will then review them and determine whether we want to continue them.

Of course, certain practices resonate more deeply in some churches than in others. So there’s no one “correct” way to do things. But by exploring some different worship possibilities and expanding our horizons, we can continue discerning the Spirit’s presence in our midst – while deepening and enriching our life together.

September 26, 2024