Caring for neighbours

Ruth and Naomi by Jan Victors, 1653 (Wikimedia Commons)

Joyce Sasse - “You will strop by and visit often,” my elderly neighbour implored as he got out of the car. “Don’t forget.”

The request was touching. We had come home from the picnic shortly after eating because he was feeling chilled, a bit confused, and quite stumbly. Both he and his wife were frightened.

GriefShare program offered at Abundant Springs Community Church

Community members who have experienced the death of a family member or friend are invited to register for the GriefShare program held at Abundant Springs Community Church. 

This program, open to people of all backgrounds, features Christ-centered, biblical teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The video seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was seen in the video. 

Life’s transitions

Joyce Sasse - September is the season for seeing young people make their transition away from home. They have been given roots. Now it is up to them to try their wings.

Norman Rockwell, in his “Breaking Home Ties” painting (Saturday Evening Post cover, Sept. 1954), presented the timeless moment so well.

It isn't the first time

Joyce Sasse - It isn’t the first time that once-declared-icons of history have been displaced. In the name of “reconciliation” with Canada’s First Nations’ People, names of building are being changed, statues are being removed from prominent locations, sports teams are getting new names...

New norm unsettling

Joyce Sasse

Joyce Sasse - We might not want to think about it, but we have to – think about the changing climate, that is!

It is only human to be fearful in the face of uncertainty. That’s why so many, for so long, have tried to deny what climate scientists have been telling us for years. Now, in this 2nd year of extreme drought across the Canadian prairies, and with excessive temperature highs everywhere around the globe, the time has come to seek out facts and develop strategies for how to move forward.

A spiritual pillar remembered

Joyce Sasse

Joyce Sasse - I spent time this morning at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens meditating on the memories of my oldest mentor and friend. Yesterday, amid family and friends, we celebrated a life that reached back 97 years.

She was a positive, joyous, forward-thinking person whose presence electrified any gathering. Her motto was to celebrate even the tiniest moments of life.

Pedestal-free environment

Joyce Sasse - Mennonite families in the Springridge district (between Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, AB) recently celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the time when their Russian immigrant families founded a congregation. It was a joyous gathering and time for reaffirming their faith.

Karsh and Raffi

“If you have to cast a stone – be sure to miss.” - Yousuf Karsh

Joyce Sasse - Renowned portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh and children’s musician Raffi hold several things in common. They are known for their elegant dignity, their Armenian heritage and their pride in being an essential part of the Canadian fabric.

Bread for the journey

Joyce Sasse - “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven…”

The leader reflected on this passage from Ecclesiastes at the conclusion of her time with a group of teenage campers.

During the week she had been inviting them to explore, in a variety of ways, how they could express their understanding of what the surrounding mountains, sky, water and flora meant to them.

Toys or tools?

Joyce Sasse - Has our apparent over-dependence on things like cell-phones, computers and robots narrowed our vision and left us thinking of these devices as must-have toys? Could they better be understood to be tools?

Maybe its not the technology that’s the trap, but our attitude and how we choose to use them.

Remember to pray for yourself

Joyce Sasse - Have you prayed for yourself today?

Those who pray are usually very diligent about praying for the ones they hold dear. They remember family and friends facing health issues. They think about situations where disagreements are tearing relationships apart. Always, they pray for peace …!

The empty halter

Joyce Sasse - Since we are in the season of 4-H Achievement Days, the recollection of a story that happened several years ago seems appropriate.

The day after Robbie sold his first 4-H calf he brought the empty halter to church. That halter and the pathetic look on Robbie’s face told it all. On past Sundays he had lovingly talked about training and caring for his calf. Now he told what happened. It wasn’t about the dollars raised. It was about the surrender of his pet. As we listened, tears welled in all our throats.

Diversity is God’s gift

Joyce Sasse - The puppeteer enacted her story by wearing an orange glove on one hand and a lime-green one on the other. With her two hands outstretched, she imitated youngsters passing a ball back-and-forth in the park.

They laughed and giggled and enjoyed playing together. Then, when one player missed his catch and ran for the ball, he found a mirror. Looking in the mirror he noticed the other player was different from himself. How could an orange puppet possibly play with a lime-green one?

Spring tonic

Joyce Sasse - OLDSTER ALERT! I have a recommendation for how to enjoy an invigorating dose of spring tonic. Seek out a young person and ask them how they are doing.

I recently drove into the countryside to visit with 30-year-old Alex. I wanted to know about his coming back to live in his grandparent’s house.

Vertical Church wants your input

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We want your input!

We are starting a new sermon series for the summer based on questions you have about God, Jesus, religions, the church. With this series we are asking for you to text any question to 587-507-4410. No question is off limits, and we will try and answer them one week at a time. Let's not rush through this; now is the time to ask. 

You are loved!

Korean Conflict

U.S. forces target rail cars south of Wonsan, North Korea, an east coast port city, 1950.  U.S. Army Military History Institute photo via Wikimedia Commons

Joyce Sasse - The reality of war and a country-divided presented itself to me within the first month of my arriving in South Korea in 1968. That’s when a group of North Korean guerrilla soldiers entred Seoul with the intention of assassinating President Park Chung Hee. Two of them were killed within two blocks of the Blue House. Twenty-four still remained at large – committed to violence or suicide.

Practicing social civility

Joyce Sasse - Supper conversation was a highlight at our boarding home during the years I was at University. Our landlady skillfully stimulated conversation by asking how we saw the issues of the day. Along with her teen aged son (very involved in sports) there was a public-school teacher and students from the Colleges of Engineering, Biology and Theology.

It shouldn't be like this

Joyce Sasse - “How sad it is!” That’s how I started my column last week. So much has been made of those affected by the Humboldt Hockey Bus Disaster. I don’t want to take anything away from that, but the response has made me feel even deeper pain…

I want to raise a contrasting question – about the silence and seeming apathy of so many when it comes to the unaccounted lives of “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women” across Canada.

So much pain

Joyce Sasse - So much pain has emerged with the Humboldt Hockey Bus disaster – like a primordial cry!

But we also have been able to witness immediate response from across the country and around the world. Prayers... texting... hockey alumnus... funding campaigns being established... support mechanisms put in place...

Easter Postlude

Joyce Sasse - One Easter Sunday I spoke about how Beethoven, at the darkest point in his life, wrote the magnificent music that concludes with the “Ode to Joy”.

In preparation for that service I arranged for the local pet-shop owner to loan us a few birds in cages.

She agreed but wondered how much singing the birds would do in a new setting. “I’ll send a pair of love-birds”, she said. “They chortle to each other … And we can try a canary. No guarantees!”