A Conversation with Myself

Yesterday morning I sat at my usual table at my local Tim Hortons, midpoint of my usual early morning walk. Two articles on my iPhone got attention this time – amazing these days the info available in the palm of one’s hand! Don’t leave home without your iPhone lest your steps not be counted.😀

Anyway these articles, both written by devout Christians and yet offering a considerably different worldview, or Weltanschaung as my college and seminary professors used to say. The first was a cheery newsletter written by a missionary on ‘North American Assignment’ spelling out an allotment of recent faith and children and grandchildren’s adventures as well as new opportunities coming along seemingly day by day. It's an account of what might be described as life well-lived, including the donate button providing opportunity for us readers to click in the monetary support needed to keep all this going. It was one of those reads which stirred up some inspiration and also a hint of the envy I sometimes encounter reading friends’ Christmas letters, where all is roses and grandchildren with adult children getting PhD’s, etc. – you know the feeling.

The other was an article written by Adam Russel Taylor, recently appointed president of Sojourners, a print and online magazine of faith, culture, and politics. He begins this way.

I was born in the shadow of the civil rights struggle. My Black mother and white father made the controversial decision to marry in 1968, the same year Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, a tragic turning point in our nation’s history in which progress was replaced with riots, the Vietnam War, and a backlash to the advances of the civil rights struggle. I became convinced my generation inherited the unfinished business of that movement (SojoMail).  

This is a magazine with edge, and I have been a subscriber forever - a constant in my reading diet since its inception as The Post-American in 1971 (yes 50 years ago) when in my early twenties, I was a ‘radical student’ at Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now CMU) in Winnipeg. While excitedly discovering my Anabaptist roots there I also discovered American draft dodgers, very opposed to the Vietnam War, some of whom showed up in Canada as 1W volunteers to work in nursing homes or institutions, many of them becoming part and parcel of the youth scene in many of our churches. My social conscience was awakened during those good college years even as I was learning the Bible and a lot of theology, much of it written by European authors with awe-inspiring names like Bultmann and Barth and even a guy named Nietzsche. They were the experts we needed to read and write essays about. [Only in later years did I get a better contextual picture. Some of them were still in recovery from Hitler’s Naziism and that’s why they were so dogmatic (or existential) in their writings.] These stolid undergrad studies happened alongside the countercultural hippy movement going on those years. Radical social action became a part of my faith education and subsequent years of pastoral ministry.

So, these two articles, a missionary newsletter and an editorial, accompanied me home yesterday. One of the benefits of these morning jaunts is that I get the fresh air along with the think time. This homeward half had me thinking about these two rather different reads. I do not yet consider myself old but recognize that my thoughts cover a few years by now. I’ve been at this for a while! I regularly think about how things have changed, and also some things remain the same. The current need for social awareness is essential - at least for those not just stuck in opinions. Environment, indigenous and immigrant issues, and of course the spiritual and/or political search for freedom and peace goes on in this still fractured world. I suppose that is why the minute I retired I got to participate in the very thing that has been my lifelong interest! 😌 I landed an assignment from our Mennonite Church Alberta to see how we as Mennonites might walk alongside the many South Sudanese Christians and other immigrants showing up in Calgary. Together with them I’ve been knocking at the doors of one of our churches, and grateful for the welcome we are receiving here.

Further to this never-ending social awareness there is a yearning clearly evident also among our immigrant friends for something more - kind of reminds me of the Psalmist, "deep calls to deep" (42:7). There is need to pray together for healing, perhaps recovery, for evangelism. It's the spiritual yen. In John 14:6 Jesus says“I am the way and the truth and the life” spoken so clearly to his keener disciples and to all of us whether newcomers or oldtimers. And Matthew 11:28 also the big invite,“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus' help for solutions to the many needs, family, employment, mental stability, or … is so often requested and welcomed! Many of us even in our socially conscious urban somewhat educated faith communities possibly could also use a refresher in basics. 

As shared in a recent blog, I also serve as Mennonite rep on Calgary Interfaith Council, presenting good opportunity for relationship with persons of other faiths. Of interest to me is that most conversations here, whether with Muslims or Mormons or Unitarians or Christians of ecumenical or evangelical stripe, roll easily on topic of my faith in Jesus the Christ. ("Growing Faith Closing Churches," September 28). Hmm, a good reminder here that I need to practice a little more of what I am, in fact just a plain old born-again follower of Jesus, child of God, something I already knew before I became that radical student way back there! 😌 In that vein I totally enjoy a missionary report devoid of national and international pain spots, simply celebrating the good! Social action and evangelism, living and being, both so important, so very eternal.

I close with another quote from the latest anniversary issue of that 50 year-old magazine. “Started by students who were convinced ... that the gospel calls disciples of Jesus Christ to be agents of change in our fallen world”(Sojourners, November 2021, p.23).

I got home from that stimulating walk just in time to log in with a number of others for Daily Prayer, forty-five minutes of guided prayer, also sponsored by our MCA. It's a nice way to put this exercising and this thinking in proper perspective.

 

When Heroes Need Help

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

Last evening ended on an interesting note for me. As many of my friends know, I am still a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, even 30 years after moving to that other Alberta city just 300 kilometers south on the QE2. And occasionally I post a bit of hockey commentary – yeahs or laments – one way of being in touch with friends (or enemies😀), mostly those who understand the game, and some who do not but they indulge my reasons for cheering for a team obviously not as good as those who win Stanley Cups! It’s been a while. I cheer for the Oilers because they used to win Cups! Actually it was five Stanley Cups during the 1980s, a decade when I lived in that ‘City of Champions’ while serving as pastor in a young lively new church full of fans who regularly gifted their pastor with tickets to the game. My oldest son, whose room was filled with Oilers paraphernalia, knew more stats about Wayne Gretzky than I could even begin to comprehend, and even now, living in Ontario (2 hrs time-zone difference) and himself a high-school teacher, often stays up late so as to ‘catch the third period’ even though it’s time to be in bed already.😏 It's very much a sentimental family thing!

So last night all about victory and about cheering! What a way to get back into in-person winter time activity. And yes, the hockey world’s hero, none other than Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, got Rogers Place fans rocking again, third period ice littered with caps ‘n hats – thanks to yet another hat trick! Second game of this season and already a three goals contribution to the Oilers’ 5-2 shellacking of our Calgary Flames is no small thing. The battle of Alberta is on, and there is promise of an interesting and profitable season for the National Hockey League. And the paparazzi were ready - several very timely shots of McDavid’s proud grandma.

This comes fast on the heels of a contrasting image. Another hero is faring not so well. Carey Price, touted as best goalie in the world, and who backstopped the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals this last June, did not show up for first game of this season. Also not showing up for training camp the week before, it was announced jointly by NHL and NHLPA that he has voluntarily entered a player assistance program, available for players dealing with mental health and related personal issues (Sportsnet.ca). Not a broken arm or torn ligaments; no it’s more personal than that.

What is the price of superstardom? The media flap and the players’ praise and accolades for Price’s incredible goals against average GAA and achievements to date give a bit of hint at the price. Price (interesting name?) has always performed at a level beyond expectations, and this in professional sport always leads to even higher expectations. All of this for a young man, along with relationships and marriage and three small children, even while focused on coaches and training, honing the skills and the game. Yes the game! Professional sport is employment, high risk employment, and like all employment situations, there are always the official and unofficial realities. Carey Price is a rather private person, and as a confessing Christian he recognized a precarious circumstance - in over his head. Nothing new to his wife and those nearest and dearest to him. Canadiens’ General Manager Marc Bergevin, seemingly in shock himself, used the simplest unadorned words speaking to the media. Their celebrated superstar goaltender “is a human being.” Aah, yes he is!  

And so was/is Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Nathan McKinnon, and ...  I think of other players on other teams: Marc Andre Fleury of Vegas (now Chicago) has hot and cold streaks, Edmonton goalies Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen seem to understand each other enough to recognize they too have the hot-cold challenge, and therefore need each other as backups in the good sense of the word and as per decisions by coaching staff. That is a mental thing and requires the amazing concept of teamwork – quite apart from all things positively or negatively analyzed by the talking heads during intermissions. Many other illustrations come to mind, including hothead Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who actually communicates authentically and credibly to his players once they get used to his sturm und drang as us Germans would say. Then there are the players with attitude like Tampa Bay's Corey Perry (recently with Montreal and longtime Anaheim Ducks), Boston’s Brad Marchand, and Calgary’s bad boy Matthew Tkachuk. Their attitude is more interesting than their quality of play – although each of these is an above average player. Attitude is something which fans pay for also, some with more glee than others!

I could easily continue now with description of heroes, rascals, and entertainers in my favorite professional sport, but right now I'm thinking about a deeper mental human condition looking us squarely in the face as professional sport tries its post-pandemic resumption. There are other undeniable issues - concussions, racial and other mental inequities - coming to light also in NFL, NBA and Olympic competitions. Professional sport needs review. We the fans need review. Several points, and each would warrant many paragraphs, but not for now.

-       One. Professional sport is actually a great dehumanizer. This cry of a thoroughbred superstar may be a waker-upper for many others that the price of these amusement events is too high. Today’s games are a modern version of the Roman gladiator games where humans fought animals or condemned criminals to the death, and all for the entertainment of the spectators. 

-        Two. Life, and especially the life-cycle includes winning stretches and losing stretches. In the Bible there is a ‘loser’ John the Baptist who cried some phrases already familiar from the Old Testament, Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth (Isaiah 40:4, Luke 3:5). This was his introduction to Jesus the Christ, the one who would help with these ‘stretches’. A sample: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”…”Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:3,7-8).

-        Three. Faith, or ‘the religious life’ actually can be a considerable burden for someone who misunderstands it. Christians, for example are divided into at least two groups: those who see God as an all powerful judging force - hoping, working, praying, and oft-times wondering why no miracles or solutions; and those who see God as the still small voice. Eg Elijah after some amazing accomplishments, still needed that still small assuring whisper (1 Kings 19:12). Muslims, as people of the book (Quran) pray 5 times daily. Indigenous recognize Creator in the four directions, ceremonies, plants and animals of mother earth. Works and Grace, two long-debated theological themes still before us. God, larger than our labels, more available than we are inclined to recognize.

And fourthly. Faith can also be the greatest gift for life, the ticket to all its fullness (John 10:10). Us human beings - and why be ashamed about that - have a need to be in relationship with our Creator, the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. And so, even if in a stretch of much cheering, need to be careful not to become addicted to winning (or pretending we are winners - applicable to every one of us even outside professional sport). My compliments to Carey Price for this very realistic demonstration of his faith, allowing the help he needs, claiming the grace, the mercy and the love available for him, whether or not he continues as the hero between the pipes. And Connor McDavid is probably aware of this too, especially in those games when he scores only one goal.

Worship in Orange

Last Thursday, September 30, 2021, was National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It had been proposed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 as one of its 94 Calls to Action and this the first observance. My calendar for that day had several entries, pared down from many possibilities which had presented themselves in my inbox in weeks prior. It was a day to be anticipated, and also a day many were afraid of.

I could have spent the whole day at my computer virtually present at many events, or I might actually show up in person somewhere. I opted for the latter, took it outdoors. Glad I am I did! Turns out this was one of the most inspiring days I have encountered for a long time.

I headed north from my Midnapore ‘homeland’ suburb wearing my orange shirt, along with an increasing number of other vehicle occupants in similar garb as I got closer to Fort Calgary, the sacred space just east of the new library. Here began my surprise, my thrill if you will. It was like a well-planned worship service! Civic ceremonies tend to be long on words and short on spirit, with dignitaries following protocol doing their thing along with media and journalists and cameras also doing their thing. Not so here, the city’s Indigenous Relations Office did itself proud with smudge and prayer by Elder Clarence Wolple (sp?), an excellent speech by outgoing Mayor Naheed Nenshie (also impressive accolades from municipal staff as well as the audience for his 11 years in office). Retired Grand Chief Phil Fontaine utilized his oratorical skills to speak his words of hope, now that the truth, the evidence of Residential Schools’ unmarked graves is for all to see. Only now can reconciliation begin, said he, because it could never happen without truth. This man is some speaker.

    

 

Fellowship. 2:30 p.m. I showed at my next important appointment, coffee with one of my good friends from the South Sudanese Community. A new immigrant to Calgary, he came out of his ESL class at Mount Royal University – wearing the identical orange sweater as mine because two weeks ago we had volunteered as parking attendants at a high-end charity polo match. These smart looking orange Calgary Polo Club sweaters, our uniforms of that day, had become our gifts to take home and now perfectly orange for this day! 😀 So this white Caucasian and the black African had a meeting in company of the orange-clad university students, he “practicing his English” telling me about truth and reconciliation as learned from his instructors that morning, and me with my enthusiastic report of the downtown event I had just come from!

Hear the Word. An evening service. This one on-line, and a good thing it was, indeed a perfect way to communicate the richness of the Word – the words! It was a Calgary Interfaith Council event – an Ecumenical Indigenous Clergy Panel Discussion hosted by one of our CIC members,Tony Snow. Sometimes one’s stereotypes can disappear in a blic. That happened to me this evening. My general perception of Indigenous speakers is that they are ponderous, easily off on a story or ‘rabbit trail’ as my people the Mennonites would describe, and not much given to time consciousness. Not only was I surprised, but moved by the articulate presence of each participant: Tony’s elder brother Rev. John Snow, United Church Minister of Chinook Winds Regional Conference in AB and Pacific Mountains R.C. in BC; Rev. Beryl St Germain, Lutheran pastor at Stoney Plain, AB; and Archbishop Mark McDonald of Anglican Church of Canada. 

I was expecting some possible further negativities about our horrible church Indian Residential Schools violations during our western Canadian colonial history. The story was there alright, but gently wrapped in the arms of a loving God. They brought to us a message of faith. It was indeed the gospel message, clergy doing the very thing they have been anointed to do. The last panel presentation was a moving testimony by a Metis-Italian Catholic priest, Fr Kristino Bouwette, of his call to ministry in the Catholic Church. And then there was the closing, with benediction words coming from the lips and the heart of Rev. St.Germain. She obviously knew them for memory.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

Two days later I suddenly remembered. These headings: Call to Worship; Call to Fellowship; and Call to Hear the Word, were always the guiding structure, whether formal or folksy, of every worship service I helped to plan during my years of pastoral ministry. Surprise! I had not expected to be reminded of those sentimental memories just by donning an orange shirt and being with some good people on this first National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Thanks be to God. May these holy coincidences continue.