Prayer Shawls

Greetings!

I have pondered the subject of this posting for a couple of weeks and anticipate that I may have more to say about it, at a later date...

In the meantime, I will tell you that I've been the recipient of a prayer shawl from the people of the Seymour Pastoral Charge in Ontario. A fellow CPT delegation participant and CCS classmate received and passed along shawls to other delegation members, on behalf of the good folks of Hoards, Stanwood and Tabernacle. The card that accompanied my shawl said, "Peacefully remembering you as you prepare to travel. Peace be with you."

As I hold the shawl in my hands or feel it wrapped around my shoulders, arms and neck, I have a deep sense of being truly blessed. Not only does this shawl provide a tangible reminder of relationships woven together through innumberable life experiences, but it also provides a soft, warm feeling - literally - of being cared for and carried. If that doesn't sound like a blessing, I'm not sure what would...

I am still undecided whether or not I will take my prayer shawl when I go to the Middle East, as space will be limited. Until that time though, I gratefully accept its accompanying prayer and offer the simple response of, "And also with you," to everyone who is connected to me through this gesture of care.

Blessings,

Rob.

Bottle Drive

Hello!

One of the ministry opportunities that I have is spending time each week with children in the Gainsborough community. These "kids" are from 5 to 12 years old and they gather at the church for a time of storytelling, snack, prayer, song and activity, that we call "Kids Club."

Yesterday, I had the chance to talk with the children about my upcoming GPE to Israel and I shared stories with them about how far away Israel is from Gainsborough, Saskatchewan, Canada. We talked about how long it might take me to get to Israel and how I would be doing that (e.g., walking to my van; driving to Winnipeg; flying on an airplane to Toronto and then to Israel).

We also talked about some of the trouble that people are experiencing in Israel. We talked about the trouble some children have in getting to school. We talked about the wall that is being built and how it makes life hard for some people. We talked about how some people live in caves and how when others try to build houses, they get knocked down.

We also spent a wee bit of time learning the Hebrew word "Shalom," and how in our language, it means "Peace." When we meet for Kids Club in the future, we might learn some more Hebrew or Arabic words.

In response to my stories, the other leaders and the kids in Kids Club decided that they wanted to support me on my GPE. So, they have decided to hold a bottle drive to raise money for me. Again, it's an amazing expression of spirit-filled generosity, and for that I say, "Thank you!"

Blessings,

Rob.

Thanksgiving

Greetings,

I wanted to take a moment or two to say "Thank you" to those who have supported me, thus far, on this experience. Beyond the financial support (which I truly appreciate), another form of support is the genuine interest that folks are showing, since the announcement of my GPE. This is really quite amazing! I get a sense as well, that the conversations we have act as a catalyst for you to (perhaps) pay more attention to the events that are happening in the world, that don't really seem to directly effect you. I believe that this is one way that exposure and awareness to the kind of peace initiatives that are needed in the world can happen and I think that CPT relies on these kinds of interactions - like our conversations - to help raise the profile of their ministry.

As far as support goes, in the past few weeks I have experienced three unique expressions of support that I wanted to share with you:

First, a pair of friends with deep connections to the CCS Diaconal program offered a financial contribution to my GPE. For whatever their reason, I would like to think that some of it has to do with their affirmation of my call to diaconal ministry and that, in our time of getting to know each other, they have recognized something in me that gives them hope... I don't know for sure, I'm simply assuming. Anyway, in a very pay-it-forwardish kind of way, I find in their generosity, a challenge for me to find opportunities to support future CCS students in their educational adventures. This particular expression of support also reminds me of the web that exists in the diaconal community; a web of care and compassion, concern and celebration.

The second expression happened yesterday when folks from the Gainsborough church (Knox United) hosted a soup and sandwich lunch and bake sale as a fundraiser. The purpose of this event was to raise money that could be shared between a capital renovation project at the church, my GPE, and perhaps other church related needs. Well, it was one of those times when your on the edge of chaos and creeping ever closer to panic as the sandwich mixes and bread runs low and people keep coming and coming. It was great! We were making sandwiches, stirring soup, slicing dessert, clearing tables, washing dishes; people kept changing places in the kitchen, going from dish washer to server to slicer to dish washer; people came in to eat lunch and go, eat lunch and sit for a spell. It was one of those times when one catches a glimpse of real communion; flesh and blood communion... It's about relationships and caring for one another. It's about sharing burdens and joys and work. Christ is alive!

And, the third expression: I heard about it yesterday, but it's been happening for awhile. There is a young fellow who is connected with the Gainsborough church who seems to be very interested about my GPE. He has been telling his friends at school about it. he is finding ways to share his own allowance to support me, and he's coming up with innovative ways to raise more funds. For some reason his yearning to explore and discover, and his zest for life have found nurture and sustenance in my GPE. In his person, I see the spirit of positive attitude, possibility and hope, and I am reminded that children are full contributors to our communities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Rob.

Presentations

Hi Folks,

I wanted to remind you that I am very interested in visiting with folks following my return from the Middle East. So, if you know of groups who might be interested in a presentation, please be in touch and we'll work at scheduling it.

It's my hope to make the presentations flexible to the time available and the venue. I am working on creating presentations that will include spoken word, images, music and interactive elements. Also, I will make every attempt to make the presentations accessible to a variety of ages.

So, I invite you to keep tabs on my newest gadget (Presentations), and let me know if you're interested in this. Then we'll see what we can do!

Blessings,
Rob.

Discography

Greetings,

I added a new gadget to the page, today. "Discography" was an idea that I thought of late last night, as I continued to think about David Shulman's stories... It often happens that something I read or see or experience reminds me of a song, as was the case last night.

Songs in particular, and music in general, provide me with ways of gleaning understanding out of the experiences of life. I think that they also (in some cases) help me in my understanding of who, what, where and when God is. So, the first three titles I've offered remind me of God's presence in the midst of turmoil and confusion, conflict and despair. The lyrics of the songs at their minimum, whisper of the hope that is often difficult to see in such times; I believe that the words challenge us to look beyond the moment and recognize the fragility of life. My own hope then, is that in recognizing this fragility, we will also recognize the sacredness of life, all life, and in that sacredness, recognize the Holy.

"Turn on all the lights inside your heart!"

Blessings,
Rob.

Fear

Greetings,

While driving home from Winnipeg in February, I heard an interview with David Shulman on CBC Radio. It was with regard to his recent book, "Dark Hope."

With the anticipation that I would be able to travel to the Middle East for my GPE, I was moved to purchase a copy of Shulman's book. Subsequently, it has ended up on my pre-GPE reading list.

Today, a quarter of the way through this reflective diary that documents one person's experience of working for peace in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, I have a sense of the potential drama that awaits me in approximately six weeks time.

Shulman speaks often of the village of Twaneh, in the South Hebron Hills. My curiosity was peeked because this name seemed very similar to At-Tuwani which is supposedly in the same area, and is a village that CPT works in... Well, in a brief internet search I have come to the conclusion that Twaneh and At-Tuwani are one in the same.

In Shulman's words: "If you live in Twaneh or Jinba or Palestinian Susya, you know what it feels like to be helpless in the face of continuous predatory attack, wanton destruction, shots, blows, attempts to kill - all this with the connivance of the heartless machine of occupation." (Dark Hope, p. 59)

When I read these words, recognizing that they are born out of a lived experience, I feel fear. In anticipation of traveling to this area to learn and to work I feel fear for my safety, fear for those who live there, and fear for our world. In my home I am relatively safe; free to live and work and play; free to travel and become educated; free, and living without fear...

And so my challenge is to discover how, in my freedom, I can aid change...

One other internet search brought me to the website for Occupation Magazine where this message was displayed: "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it."

Blessings,
Rob.

Rise Above

Greetings,

As I was reading this morning, about the reality of harassment and checkpoints, politics and health care, rights violated and protectors and defenders of rights with deaf ears and blind eyes, I remembered a song that I wrote during my first Learning Circle at CCS (the Pastoral Care Year, October, 2005). It's called "Rise Above" and I'd like to share the words with you here. The music relies on the bass line and cadence of Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D, while the text is inspired and begins with Isaiah 2:1-4.

In days to come the people will say, "Let us go together to the house of God where we shall learn God's ways..."

A promise is born in the Love of God
that we shall rise. We shall rise above.

The message is peace in the Word of God;
help us to rise. We shall rise above.

Justice and truth are the Way of God.
So we must rise. We shall rise above.

Together we'll dwell in the House of God.
Together we'll rise. We shall rise above.

In days to come we shall seek God,
and rise above. We shall rise above.

In days to come we shall know God,
and rise above. We shall rise above.

Blessings,
Rob.

Some Background Info

Hello Folks,

By way of introduction, I am offering a re-worked version of the article I submitted to three of the newspapers in the Carnduff area...

I serve as the minister for the United Churches in Carievale and Gainsborough, Saskatchewan. I will be traveling to Israel and the Palestinian Territories for 14 days at the end of November. There I will learn about and share in the work of the Chrisitan Peacemakers Team (CPT).

Christian Peacemakers Team arose from a call for Christians to devote the same discipline and self-sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war. Participants on CPT delegations join in the on-going work of violence deterrence, accompaniment and documentation, serving as a public witness against violence and oppression. The CPT delegation to Israel and the Palestinian Territories will spend time in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron, as well as other points in the occupied territory of the West Bank.

I arrived in southeastern Saskatchewan in July of 2007, to serve the Gainsborough-Carievale Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada as student supply. I study with the Centre for Christian Studies (CCS, WInnipeg) in the Diploma in Diaconal Ministry program. In this current year of studies, one of the foci is to participate in a Global Perspectives Experience (GPE). The GPE provides CCS students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of themselves through reflection on their theological convictions and their roles in marginalization, oppression and justice-making in the global context.

Upon returning home to North America, I would welcome opportunities to share the stories of this experience.

Blessings,
Rob.

Beginnings

Hello Folks,

After much thought and many inquiries, I have taken the leap and created a blog!

As I anticipate the life-changing experience that lies ahead, I have reflected on how to best share the story of this experience; as it begins, as it continues, and as it evolves. I look forward to sharing the story of my Global Perspectives Experience to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on a delegation of the Christian Peacemakers Team, with you.

In the days, weeks and months ahead, I invite you to share the experience; share the journey. Welcome!

Blessings,
Rob.