As Advent unfolds, we hear the call to peace: peace within ourselves, peace among us, and peace for all creation. In a world marked by conflict, division, and uncertainty, what does it mean to wait for the peace of Christ? How does this peace differ from what we often imagine? Today, as we gather at Christ’s table, may we be nourished by the promise of peace that restores, renews, and unites all things.

Advent and late Fall coincide in the Northern Hemisphere. What can we learn from Creation about faithful waiting? And what is Creation herself waiting for? These are the themes that will guide our 2024 Advent season. We also celebrate the completion of Youth Spirit Quest 2024.

Christus Paradox” is perhaps the most apt way of describing what the “reign” of Christ means. The reign of Christ is nothing like the rule of kings, political parties, empires. It consists of little things, like compassionate and kind acts, like peace as a response to war, and like love-in-action away from the spotlight. That is the “reign” we focus on today.

Competing visions, hopes and fears of the future are in the news right now, and they are all in today’s Gospel reading also. In the Gospel two responses are offered by Jesus. The question is, do we, will we respond in those ways, or not?

Human history is punctuated by war, violence, and the clashing of competing ideologies. It is also filled with tiny, yet mighty acts of peace-making, compassion, resilience, and love-despite hate. “Remembering” brings all of the human story together, and worship brings all that we see under the redeeming love of God.

Who could ever have imagined a time in living memory when it would seem “odd” to practise welcome, hospitality, respect, reverence, truth in our shared lives? It was good to be reminded, by Scripture, that these are at the heart of God’s Dream for human community within creation: a place where everyone is welcome at the table.

This was Thanksgiving Sunday on the Canadian calendar, and also the day we marked the 125th anniversary of this faith community, which began as a Presbyterian mission in 1899 meeting in the then newly built schoolhouse, and which over the decades grew to become Lilly Memorial Church and then in the 1950s, Cedar Park United Church. 

We indeed have so much for which to give thanks, together. And “giving thanks” is most fulfilling and most impactful when we can include a true “action de grâce.” When we accept that all things are God’s gift to all, generosity and sharing become the natural outpouring of gratitude.  

In this scripture reading and reflection from June 20, 2021, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones reflects on Psalm 80 and the practice of making space for grief and lament – specifically around the communal and intergenerational impact of settler policies and actions on the lives of Canada’s indigenous peoples.

“Everything we know about God’s utter fidelity to God’s Dream of abundant, flourishing life for all, means that God will do whatever it takes for us to step into the story – not only of our guilt or grief, but of God’s mercy. 

This was the third practice in our 4-week worship series around SNAIL (Spiritual Nourishment practices that Anchor Intentional Living).

Today’s worship explores the mystery of God as Ground of all Being, cradler of all creation within and beyond the Earth, through the poetry of Genesis and Psalm 19, and a guided practice of meditation, led by Dr. Shelley Snow. We go beyond words, with the meditative use of singing bowls. 

Being God’s people is both a blessing and a challenge! In this reflection from September 22, 2024, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones turns our attention to the Gospel story (Mark 9:30-37) that reminds us that often we just don’t “get” how radical, counterintuitive, and countercultural it can be to live God’s Dream. Sometimes Jesus has to sit us down and show us. But…when we do get it, well, that’s amazing!

In this reflection from September 15, 2024, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones invites us to lend our ears to “Lady Wisdom.” In today’s Old Testament reading, “Lady Wisdom” cries out from the crossroads in the city, (not from some lofty ivory tower, or majestic temple), and what she cries is often hard to hear. She is forthright, not backing down from hard truths, calling out injustice. How can that possibly be “Good News?” Today’s worship invites us to listen, to hold on tight, and to imagine–and work for–a world where Wisdom’s vision of a world restored to God’s Dream becomes our own.

This was the next-to-last summer shared worship pilgrimage with the West Island and Riverside United cluster.

To hear the reading of the Song of Faith that Rev. Elisabeth refers to, head to the YouTube recording.

In this reflection from August 25, 2024, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones invites us to consider the final stanzas of the United Church of Canada’s “Song of Faith.” These remind us that we are all “time-bound children of the Timeless One”, called to live as fully as we can in the space between birth and death, with trust and grounded hope in God’s loving, redemptive action in all creation. With such hope, “how can we keep from singing?”

This was the next-to-last summer shared worship pilgrimage with the West Island and Riverside United cluster.

To hear the reading of the Song of Faith that Rev. Elisabeth refers to, head to the YouTube recording.

In this reflection from June 23, 2024, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones explores how worship and spiritual practices and discipleship connect us with God, who nourishes and challenges us to shape our collective and individual lives in ways that reflect God’s Dream for Creation.

This is the last in our 4-week series exploring the foundations for our congregation’s ⁠Community Compass strategic plan and vision.

In this reflection from June 16, 2024, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones focuses on sustainability as God’s great idea for shaping the way we support our ministries and use our resources to live God’s Dream in community and in the world.

This is the third of four reflections around the key “directions” of our congregation’s⁠ ⁠Community Compass⁠.

In this reflection from June 9, 2024, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones poses the question: What is “Progressive”, and why do we need to be a beacon for it?” One of the answers is clear: to share God’s Good News as widely as we can.

In this reflection, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones explores the difference between “being nice” and offering truly radical welcome.

This is the first of four reflections around the key “directions” of our congregation’s⁠ ⁠Community Compass⁠. We hope you’ll be inspired!