Benchmark

I have spent Thursday mornings with Mary since 2005. I talked about our visits in my 2018 TEDx Winnipeg talk. Mary gets a mention every time I speak to a group–even this week, she came up several times as I gave workshops to various groups. When I talk about how I learned to talk to …

The complexity of Canada Day 2021: the tension of unmarked graves near residential schools and the generosity of Canadians during the pandemic

Canada Day 2021

It has never been so complicated to come upon July 1, Canada Day, as this year. Celebrating “Canada Day 2021” brings complexity like never before to Canadians who are both simultaneously: grateful for all this country has given them, and are horrified at the emerging news reports of unmarked graves at the sites of residential …

True evangelical faith clothes the naked, feeds the hungry, and protects the vulnerable by getting vaccinated. Would Menno Simons say this? A theology of vaccination

A theology of vaccination

Dear Person who is vaccine hesitant, I wrote earlier in the week to start a conversation with you. Divisiveness about COVID-19, vaccinations etc. breeds disrespect and anger and relational ugliness. I wanted to make is a discussion over a cup of (virtual) tea. I’m aware that a large number of folks who are vaccine hesitant …

Dear Person who is vaccine hesitant. on background of flowering tree

Dear Person who is Vaccine Hesitant

Dear Friend, If you and I were meeting together, we’d sit and have a cup of tea. We would exchange information. I love stories, and I would want to hear yours–about the frustrations and disappointments you’ve had over the last year, about some unexpected moments of joy, about your family–just generally, about how you came …

Re-Courage-Ment

I heard this is the single greatest snowfall this year–the one that feel well into April–weeks after all the snow had melted. The buds were coming out. People were posting pictures of their crocuses. We were having suppers on the back deck. And the snow keeps falling. And blowing. And we all keep shaking our …

Fears on the COVID-19 home stretch

Fears on the COVID-19 home stretch

The light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel is getting bigger. You’d think that we can all hardly wait to be released from restriction! We are on the cusp of widespread vaccinations–whoo hoo! Mostly. If you have hesitancies anticipating the end of COVID-19, you are not alone There are quiet conversations daily about the …

The last song. The day the piano was sold

The last song

As the world prepares to be vaccinated, my parents prepare to move… …and get vaccinated, too! My folks are moving into assisted living and will join all the other residents of the building next week to be vaccinated to ensure the safety of all. I was over at their place yesterday—carefully. They pretty much don’t …