Paul Vargis
TyTuesday April 16, 2024 @ 7 p.m., come and join speaker, passionate advocate and worker for reconciliation Mizze Walker at Knox United in Calgary, details and where to RSVP below
Posts Tagged ‘Reconciliation’
Reconcilaition Next Steps
Posted: March 30, 2024 by Ty in Current Events, SpiritualityTags: Belonging, Calls to Action, healing, Knox, Mizze Walker, Reconciliation
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First Sunday of Christmas Service
Posted: December 31, 2023 by Ty in SpiritualityTags: Bible, Calling, Christianity, Christmas, Doctor Who, Galatians, God, Jesus, Luke, Reconciliation, Simeon, Vocation
First Sunday After Christmas
Dec. 31, 2023
Centennial Presbyterian Church
Entry of the Word
Welcome
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit’ada, Tansi, Hello and welcome to worship at Centennial. I would like to acknowledge we gather as first peoples and settlers on the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 peoples that include the Stoney Nakoda First Nations including Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney First Nations, the Blackfoot Confederacy that includes the Siksika, the Piikani and Kainai First Nations, and Tsuut’ina First Nations, and the Metis Nation Region 3. With the living love of Creator, we commit to the hard calling of truth and reconciliation together here on Turtle Island.
Call to Worship
Leader: When Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph,
People: God is there.
Leader: When Jesus is presented at the temple,
People: God is there.
Leader: When Simeon holds Jesus in his arms,
People: God is there.
Leader: When Anna recognizes Jesus in the temple,
People: God is there.
Leader: This very morning,
People: God is here.
Leader: In the future we cannot see,
People: God is there.
All: Let us worship God!
— written by Rev. Robert George, Karen George, Judy Colby-George, in Past Meets Future: A Blessing for Today
Time of Praise:
1) BP 153 Joy to the World
2) BP 141 Good Christians, All Rejoice
Prayers:
God of grace and glory,
we praise you from the heights and from the depths;
from the courts of power and from the sidewalks of our lives.
Your splendour shines from a manger,
where the Light of the World was born for us.
In fragile flesh, you are revealed to us face to face
reaching out to claim our love.
And so we gather with those who have glimpsed that love
to rejoice that you have claimed us in Christ.
We offer you our praise, Creator, Son, and Spirit;
Source of life, Glorious light, and Wisdom of the ages.
God of our lives,
we know you are with us through thick and thin,
in times of great joy and at moments of disappointment.
Yet we can feel let down when the joy of Christmas Day has passed.
Our hope gets folded away with the gift wrap,
our energy for the future feels a bit tattered.
Forgive us when our faithfulness flickers like a candle burning down.
(From Presbyterian Church in Canada worship resources for Dec. 31, 2023)
Lord’s Prayer
(Version 4 from the New Zealand Prayer Book)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news of the Gospel: Jesus Christ is our light and our salvation. In him we are made new. Let us give thanks to God and be at peace with ourselves and with one another.
(From Presbyterian Church in Canada worship resources for Dec. 31, 2023)
Announcements – Elders
Church Family Celebrations- Elders
Children’s Time:
“Celebrate.”
You have seen what happens at blessings, Christenings, and baptisms. When you meet the community, and are taken around, regardless of age. That is what is happening in today’s story from Luke, and we will hear how Jesus met his community, and how his community, like yours, responds, by seeing the blessings within you. So, as they met you, and have been meeting you each and every week since, how about sharing…
What do you like to do? What are things you do well? Things you like to learn?
Let’s pray
Hymn:
BP 146 Angels From the Realms of Glory
Scripture
Galatians 4:4-7 (First Nations Version)
But when the time was right, Creator sent his Son, who was born of a woman and born under our tribal law. He came to set free the ones who were under the law, so that all of us could take our place in Creator’s family as mature sons and daughters. Because this is the true of your, Creator has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying our from within us, “Abba! My Father!”
So then, you are no longer slaves to the spiritual powers of this world that use the law to accuse you and bring you under bondage. You are now taking your place as mature sons and daughters ready to share in the family blessing promised by the Great Spirit.
Luke 2:22-40 (First Nations Version)
Then, about one moon later, the time came for them to present their child to the Great Spirit in the Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem). This was for their cleansing ceremony, an ancient tradition from the lawgiver Drawn from the Water (Moses), who said, “Every male child who is first to open the womb will be holy in the Great Spirit’s sight. Bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons to be burned with fire as a sweet-smelling smoke offering.”
This shows they were poor, for this was the offering a poor family was
permitted to bring according to tribal law.
When they arrived at the sacred lodge in Village of Peace (Jerusalem), they were welcomed by Creator Hears (Simeon), a respected elder who did what was right in the Great Spirit’s sight, and waited patiently for him and told him he would not die until he saw Creator’s Chosen One with his own eyes.
As Creator Hears (Simeon) followed the guidance of the Spirit, he arrived at the sacred lodge just in time to see He Gives Sons (Joseph) and Bitter Tears (Mary) bringing their child for the traditional ceremony given in their tribal law. Creator Hears (Simeon) took the child into his arms and spoke words of blessing over him.
“O Great Father”, he prayed, “I now see with my own eyes the one you have prepared for all Nations, the one who will heal our broken ways and set us free. He will make a clear path for all people to see and bring honor to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). Now, just as you have said, I can cross over in peace.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said. So Creator Hears (Simeon) spoke blessing words over them also.
He then turned to Bitter Tears (Mary) and spoke softly in her ear.
“This child has been chosen for the fall and rising of many in the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). He will be a sign that will be spoken against exposing the thoughts of many.
His voice softened as he looked sadly into his eyes.
He said to her, “Even your own spirit will be pierced through like a sharp arrow.”
As they pondered his words, a holy woman, named Woman of Goodwill (Anna) welcomed them. She was an elder from the tribe of Walks with a Glad Heart (Asher) and the daughter of Face of Creator (Phaneul). She had married at a young age and lived with her husband for seven winters but had not been a widow for eighty-four winters. She served the Great Spirit at his sacred lodge night and day with fasting and many prayers. When she saw the child, she gave thanks to Creator and began telling about the child to all who were waiting for Creator to fulfill the promises he made to the Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem).
After they performed all the ceremonies that Creator’s Law required, they returned to Circle of Nations (Galilee), to their home in Seed Planter Village (Nazareth). In this village the child grew strong in his spirit and was filled with wisdom, for the blessing of the Great Spirit was resting on him.
This is the word of the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“What’s Purpose?”
Lutheran Pastor and writer, Nadia Bolz-Weber, posted recently to her social media, “I won’t say that I hope this season is merry; I won’t say that I hope it is happy and bright. But I will say this: I hope you hear a divine “yes” this season. In other words, may your soul feel its worth”. And this is what has been mulling around and struggling since coming to the texts for today for me. This sermon is reflective not of a deep dive academic process, but rather a messy interior journey of spiritual hearing and seeking for that divine yes. It is the same struggles in the Temple I imagine Joseph and Mary had, after saying yes to the divine yes. Those in the Temple bearing witness, Simeon finally actualizing a divine yes, and I ponder if he had even avoided moments of the divine yes as we all do for not knowing our own worth, even Luke recording this story so many decades and events later. And at the core, like with the Nativity story at this Christmas time, with Mary and Elizabeth being the voice, now here is Anna in her full worth, full Imageo Dei living into her divine yes.
This journey will share some of my own thoughts and heart reflections, before crafting time for you to listen for your divine yes, and or possibly a divine yes of someone else for discernment is not individualistic, but like belonging and purpose if you’ve been around for my other sermons, interdependent.
Welcome to my own labyrinth walk into the story…
This past Saturday December 9, we were given a storytelling gift, in a Doctor Who Special, called The Giggle. It was a gift, because of the interaction of the two doctors, in which the new doctor looked at his former self with two pieces of wisdom:
- I’m okay because you took the time to fix us, we’re Timelords and we do rehab out of order.
- You can stop running.
Powerful wisdom, discovered in the form of story, much like the texts of today with Paul’s writings to the house gatherings in Galatia, and the physician Luke’s recording of the tale of the Temple for baby Jesus, his parents and temple prophets. Both these pieces of wisdom can be seen.
Both these pieces of wisdom as well, speak to us, as we sit here in the in-between known as Christmas time awaiting Epiphany, and on the calendar, the new year turning over to 2024 at midnight on January 1, just under 13 hours away. See, the second piece, is what those in Galatia, and Jesus’ folks needed to hear. It was speaking to the treadmill of survival one can be in. It can be the sympathetic nervous system that gives us our flight, fawn, freeze or fight responses. That when you are living under occupation as the early church was under the Roman Empire, as Jesus’ family was birthing him into as non-entities oppressed by both the Empire, and the Religious Authorities collaborating for what little power there was left, this is the constant of the system. The running if you will, and for anyone who has ever seen Doctor Who, you know running is part of the show with timey-wimey saving the universe things.
Much like us, especially in this era of greedflation, being on the treadmill, running not to thrive, but to survive. Even as Jesus’ parents enter the temple they are on this treadmill, hypervigilant even if not realizing it. The call on their son to be the messiah, one that so many were expecting. A warrior king to overthrow the Empire and make things right again.
And yet,
Here was the baby.
What a purpose, but was it a true purpose?
As I ruminated and mulled these readings, I reflect on my own journey, and I ponder how many of you can relate? Doing good work, helping others, falling into the rhythm and complacency of life. Finding ways to find purpose, that thing that gives meaning, that piece of us that our society has codified and says the purpose that matters is the one you are paid for.
What happens though when you can’t anymore?
This goes back to that first piece of wisdom, doing the work, rehab out of order. Healing. Letting go. A rather daunting challenge, but as Simeon and Anna shared their wisdom of the baby Jesus with mum and dad this is what had to happen, out of order, they thought they were being called to something monumental, and then they realized it was truly astounding and cosmic reshaping.
Have you ever had a moment like that? When didn’t things just make sense? Or when a change so drastic happened that you were unsure what was going to happen next? For me at this point in my journey these are the questions arising with Luke’s story here, for me in the now. Having spent so much of my life in ministry in life recovery and the homeless serving sector, teaching and ministry building in churches, writing and speaking…and then 7 years ago the end began. There was no prophetic voice there, but I could empathize with Joseph, and Mary, about the unknown with these words of Simeon and Anna, and for the prophets to in the waiting but not yet until Jesus was there.
See four years ago, after I worked hard to heal, and rebuild my mind, and stem the constant roll of discord and seizures that was PTSD driven PNES, I was given what can be a challenge for one’s purpose. Being told I could not longer serve as I had for my life up until that point.
Anyone can relate? Your whole self is willing, but you just can’t anymore?
And let me tell you coming off a long-term disability claim, there was no cushion, there was no time to process the new reality, there was only how do we survive, what happens next? Scrambling with a little guidance and a new resume. See there is purpose that cultivates from passion but then there is complete disruption.
Do you think that’s what these young parents may have been feeling, and feeling even more after entering the temple?
Our church is in an almost, not yet moment, a moment when we can listen, discern, and see what our purpose is to be next. But also, to let go of what no longer aids, what no longer is and take the time to mourn.
For in that wisdom, of time to mourn, is what was missing, and four years of myself into this new purpose of teaching and writing, it finally settled in during Advent, as we journeyed to the manger for me.
Stop running. Yes, as a friend had said with the PNES I had kept running even past when I should have stopped to support others, and then couldn’t anymore. Then had to rebuild, but the reset in February 2020 didn’t last long before the next chaos of a pandemic ensued, and still no pause with the running.
But what happens, if we take time to rest?
What happens, if we take time to be with one another?
What happens, for our purpose, if we listen to those who know us. What happens if we let others aid in the discernment and guidance? It can be a hard thing.
But I do ponder, how Mary and Joseph felt in the Temple, when Simeon, then Anna approached and spoke wisdom over their baby.
I ponder, some days what it can feel like to not run. To do the work not in reverse, but in order.
I ponder what would happen if the world of peace, joy, hope and love a baby born at the darkest time of year as the brightest light…so bright that the oppressive and colonizing structures of his day trembled and started to find ways to discredit and eliminate this little baby in a creche of a stable.
I ponder how our belonging changes, when we cultivate authentic purpose and community, knowing that we are not alone, we are interconnected and beloved creations given the most precious gift.
I ponder what happens, if we could stop the sprint, and enter the marathon.
I ponder, what purpose is brewing for each of us today and in a few hours, into the new year.
As you hear these words one last time, if you feel comfortable, close your eyes, slow your breathing, deep diaphragmatic breathes, let your mind rest, if you get distracted its okay, acknowledge and come back to the story. Feel the church and pews fade away, for the busyness of the Temple courtyard, feel the heat and dust, and bay of livestock, the commotion, the soft sniffles, and cries of newborns. When the Holy family enters, and you are.
Let that last question be in your mind as you hear these words, what purpose is being affirmed or called today? What divine yes are we entering into?
Luke 2:22-40 (First Nations Version)
Then, about one moon later, the time came for them to present their child to the Great Spirit in the Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem). This was for their cleansing ceremony, an ancient tradition from the lawgiver Drawn from the Water (Moses), who said, “Every male child who is first to open the womb will be holy in the Great Spirit’s sight. Bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons to be burned with fire as a sweet-smelling smoke offering.”
This shows they were poor, for this was the offering a poor family was
permitted to bring according to tribal law.
When they arrived at the sacred lodge in Village of Peace (Jerusalem), they were welcomed by Creator Hears (Simeon), a respected elder who did what was right in the Great Spirit’s sight, and waited patiently for him and told him he would not die until he saw Creator’s Chosen One with his own eyes.
As Creator Hears (Simeon) followed the guidance of the Spirit, he arrived at the sacred lodge just in time to see He Gives Sons (Joseph) and Bitter Tears (Mary) bringing their child for the traditional ceremony given in their tribal law. Creator Hears (Simeon) took the child into his arms and spoke words of blessing over him.
“O Great Father”, he prayed, “I now see with my own eyes the one you have prepared for all Nations, the one who will heal our broken ways and set us free. He will make a clear path for all people to see and bring honor to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). Now, just as you have said, I can cross over in peace.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said. So Creator Hears (Simeon) spoke blessing words over them also.
He then turned to Bitter Tears (Mary) and spoke softly in her ear.
“This child has been chosen for the fall and rising of many in the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). He will be a sign that will be spoken against exposing the thoughts of many.
His voice softened as he looked sadly into his eyes.
He said to her, “Even your own spirit will be pierced through like a sharp arrow.”
As they pondered his words, a holy woman, named Woman of Goodwill (Anna) welcomed them. She was an elder from the tribe of Walks with a Glad Heart (Asher) and the daughter of Face of Creator (Phaneul). She had married at a young age and lived with her husband for seven winters but had not been a widow for eighty-four winters. She served the Great Spirit at his sacred lodge night and day with fasting and many prayers. When she saw the child, she gave thanks to Creator and began telling about the child to all who were waiting for Creator to fulfill the promises he made to the Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem).
After they performed all the ceremonies that Creator’s Law required, they returned to Circle of Nations (Galilee), to their home in Seed Planter Village (Nazareth). In this village the child grew strong in his spirit and was filled with wisdom, for the blessing of the Great Spirit was resting on him.
As you feel the heat, dust, and busyness fade. Feel the comfort of the pew reform around you. Bring your breathing back to normal and let the call rest on you. Perhaps you feel like sharing with others, whether it is your own or another person’s. Affirm the gifts, talents, and purposes we see in one another.
As another calendar year inches closer to an end, may we enter into 2024 knowing our full worth created in the blessed imageo dei.
Amen.
Dance the Offering
Dedication of the Offering
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
God of love,
as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Saviour,
we are filled with thanks that he has shared human life,
and knows well both our joys and heartaches.
We bring our prayers for the world you love,
grateful that Jesus walks ahead of us into the year ahead.
We pray for all children for they embody our future.
Protect them from danger, strengthen their characters, and give them joy.
Help them look to the future with hope and trust.
We pray for the most aged among us,
those whom Simeon and Anna bring to mind.
Protect them in these days of rising costs and rising tensions,
and reassure them of their value to you and to the whole community.
We pray for those whose hearts are filled with pain and fear
and for those whose Christmas has been touched with loss or grief.
(Keep a time of silence)
Surround each one with your comforting embrace.
We pray for those who cannot afford enough to eat,
and for those who lack adequate shelter
here and in desperate corners of the world.
We pray for those who fear violence in their daily lives
here and in so many regions of conflict.
And we pray for those whose are anxious about the year ahead
for whatever reason,
(Keep a brief time of silence)
Grant each one the courage and strength to face the days ahead.
As this year draws to a close, we surrender to you, O God,
the challenges it has held for us so that they will not remain as burdens.
Remind us of the good things that have offered us encouragement and pleasure.
(Keep a brief time of silence)
Give us wisdom to navigate whatever the coming year brings.
In the new year, grant our leaders the wisdom and generosity of spirit
to collaborate on decisions they face for the wellbeing of society
and of the earth itself.
Inspire us all with the hope, joy and peace we find through trusting you,
Amen.
(From Presbyterian Church in Canada worship resources for Dec. 31, 2023)
Hymn
BP 811 Standing at the Portal
Benediction and Choral Commissioning
Now May the Good Lord Bless You (tune: O Little Town of Bethlehem)
Action on TRC Now: Find the Graves and bring the children home
Posted: June 5, 2021 by Ty in Alberta Politics, Canadian Politics, Politics, SpiritualityTags: 215, Anglican, Anglican Church of Canada, Canada, Politics, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Reconciliation, Residential Schools, Roman Catholic, Spirituality, TRC, United Church of Canada
When grieving, contemplation, prayer and collaboration lead to action. That is what this Saturday morning was about as my youngest tried to decide for their final Grade 8 Social Studies project which nation that is a part of them to discover and share (Metis, Indigenous, European), a friend reached out about what educators can do in our shock and grieving over the discovery of the unmarked grave on May 27, 2021 at the site of Kamloops, BC residential school.
What happened was, and I hope/pray will be powerful, a call to action on the dormant call to actions. There is a change.org petition you can sign here.
If you would rather reach out via e-mail to the local faith leaders and political leaders that can make the International Investigation and locating of the other missing children, feel free to adapt the below letter and send on:
To Pope Francis, Archbishops & Bishops of Roman Catholic Dioceses in Canada
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada
Moderator of the United Church of Canada
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
The Government of Canada
Re: An Open Letter to actualize Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #75 from Educators from Canada and around the world.
On May 27, 2021, an unmarked mass grave of 215 children was found on Turtle Island (Canada).
Youngsters stripped from their homes on the onus of the Canadian Government, handed over to religious authorities for the purpose of cultural genocide. This act of genocide ended their lives. A discovery that had the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada to ask for flags to be lowered in mourning.
Sadly, this atrocity is not an isolated incident, but rather it is part of a dark chapter of history, known as Residential Schools which were closed in 1996. It is time for Canadians and people around the world to know this story, atrocities, and all. It is time to heal, as other nations have held up the mirror and investigated the darkness to know the truth and act in reconciliation.
It is time for Canada to be honest in our truth, and act on our intent of reconciliation. For those from a religious background, reconciliation is recognized as a sacrament, or an important act lived through the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth known as the Christ for Christians. It is not simply saying, “I am sorry for what has been done”. It is articulating the right words for what has happened, making amends and reparations, affecting healthy closure, and with that closure the grieving process in order to move forward in healing towards a new reality.
This open letter from educators calls on those institutions involved to turn their records over to international investigators so that they will be able to locate and return the lost children to their families for appropriate mourning. For international investigators to be able to state clearly to Canadians the truth that is being evaded. Only then will it be possible to move forward in the spirit of reconciliation.
On every Holocaust Remembrance we utter those words, “We will never forget or repeat,”and the whole time our own genocide was being carried out.
We acknowledge the 4/5 institutions that have apologized, and the work Anglicans, Presbyterians and United Christians have been attempting in Reconciliation work. We call on the Roman Catholic Church to actively live what their Catechism teaches on Reconciliation and to not only formally apologize but catch up to where their contemporaries are at in the process. And to move forward to ensure the call to actions are actualized (not simply read or taught but done). For Canada, like other nations around the world needs to finally interrupt and heal our intergenerational trauma, and know our truth.
Cancel Thought
Posted: June 27, 2020 by Ty in SpiritualityTags: C-tine, Case study, Covid-19, Critical Thinking, Reconciliation
Cancel culture is the new en vogue. It is simple enough to understand as accountability for one’s posted content/thoughts/actions/behaviours. For those of us that grew up in a healthy and positive home environments with authoritative caregivers/parents that gave us boundaries, rules, expectations with warmth and love this is understandable.
As stories emerge, and folks loose work one sees the blatant hatred, racism, queer hate (sorry note homophobia, this is not a DSM-V classification for a fear that is so anxiety inducing it fires out fight-flight-freeze system this is simply hatred), bigotry, prejudice, etc. Accountability within a 24-7-365 world were everything is recorded seems laudable. For the most part it is, we learned at very young ages that words are just as destructive as acts of physical violence, and there has been far too many examples of what cyber-bullying has led to in our youngsters.
YET…there is always a yet, as we unpack what is happening within out world through a critical lens. Is it truly a world of accountability? A step in the right direction towards reconciliation and moving forward? Or is it simple acts of vengeance as the course correcting pendulum swings power from one side completely to another, with the other acting without having learned the lessons of corruption?
Pause and first think of the destruction of statues (iconoclasts), which has happened throughout our history with regime changes and history. Is it wrong to destroy monuments to hate? No. Yet, what are you going to replace the vacuum with? For if a statue is simply pulled down, or destroyed you are leaving the replacement in the hands of those the may have erected it in the first place?
Are you working to have the full story shared? Moving beyond ideological entrenchment of complete where everything on either side is holy/sacred and the other is seen as satanic/profane. A space where we cannot speak out against corruption, ills, contrariness, or violence/abuse within our own movements without being seen as “traitors” to the cause.
Are we working to replace the statues with images that represent the full story of the era that is glories/joys/scars/traumas and everything in-between? The truth of the era and what the time is to represent?
Yes, filling the vacuum with education, so as a society we get better, we learn and heal together. The onus being on each citizen to learn (not on the oppressed to constantly teach)…laying the course after truth opens up the way to reconciliation (moving forward as a society into the new). The truth stage is our moments of prototyping the new, before crystallization of the new begins (using the concepts of U Theory).
Within the arts, why are we simply removing those items that may offend instead of looking at how it can be used to teach where we were, and where we are? Is there a way to use these shows and movies, think like PBS used to have the discussion folks before and after to place the piece in its proper historical context, and discussion points for today as a result (think of how you should have been taught things like Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice in High School, we have examples within the last 100 years that need the same teaching surrounding them).
Which brings us into the other pieces of cancel culture making the mainstream and social media circuits. As we have allowed our politics to denigrate into this power anger grab match of gotchaisms to show corruption and ineptitude, so has cancel culture evolved. It is not about rooting out the asininely that is currently perpetuating hate, but rather from this old hacks perspective digging through early days of social media to catch some celebrity in a moment (possibly) of stupidity, and then using that to end their career.
Is this reconciliation? Is it making our world better?
First, is there a statue of limitations on racism/hate? Yes/no. Say what? What type of fence sitter am I?
I’m not. But I do believe it is looking at the journey of the person to see if it is in need of cancelling accountability or a case study in what the power of education and reconciliation can bring about.
When we are looking at allegations from 1-20 years old, we need to look at the person and ask…what does the pattern show? Has there been a change? Because within the journey and the change creates a case study that creates strength within the cause for a better world, for when those saying that do to (insert reason here) change is impossible, a list of those that have changed, and continued in life shows the difference.
Yes, life is about evolution and development. You are not the same person you were last year, 10 years ago, in adolescence, young adulthood, early or middle child hood. Some things may remain the same, some beliefs have strengthened, some have faded away or radically transformed. The lens you bring to personal reflection within your own journey, you need to bring to look at another’s (that whole Jesus thing of loving neighbour and loving self).
This comes out of reflecting on cancel culture and my own journey as a semi-public figure with many media interviews, public talks, sermons, and workshops out there of my thoughts, and evolving beliefs. As well, 34 years of publishing of stories in all genres and types within fiction and non-fiction. Some in the public record and archives, others in post-secondary, still more within the unpublished realm shared through friend and professional pools.
Is there anything in all that I could get cancelled for? Honestly, I do not know. I know in the time and context when the piece came from, what is there is where I was on my journey. Where I am now is what is written and shared now, there is transfiguration and transformation each day of my life as I reflect, learn and grow what it means to build a world of belonging for all.
The shift that needs to happen is not one from hate/oppression to revenge/vengeance… it is truly a shift to sharing the truth of the events of our world. Then the greatest shift in actions and attitude, through education and love, moving into authentic healing for our communities to reconciliation and into hope for the future.
Are you willing to take the first step towards HOPE?
Not just create the vacuum, but fill it with the new.
Reflections on Confederation
Posted: February 15, 2020 by Ty in Canadian Politics, Current EventsTags: CN Rail, MMIWG, Pipe Lines, Protests, Reconciliation, Treaties
We can debate the technicality of calling Canada a confederation or federation. Yet what is true is that we are a collection of cultures, religions, regions, and nations…some at times have wanted to be declared a distinct society, when the truth is Canada as a whole is a beautiful and distinct mosaic. Currently we are in the midst of what is being hash tagged as shut Canada down. It is beginning and centered in protests in Wet’suwet’en and the “lightning rod” media issue around pipe lines.
Is it truly about pipe lines? Or is it another instance of colonialism dictating what happens and Indigenous voices shut out? Yes and no. Not an answer any one wants to hear. In Canada, as Truth and Reconciliation was not fully actualized (we went through the motions, but didn’t do the work) we are living in dualism. It is the type of dualism, Rabbi Sacks brought out in regards to historic and emergent anti-Semitism. He pointed to the fact of creating the Us-Them dichotomy where one side has to be right and the other has to be wrong. He also pointed out this dualism historically grew anti-semitism in the Christianities for it pointed to the Hebrew Bible God as a lesser being, with the Christian Testament God being superior. Even pointing out the terms Old & New Testaments continue to perpetuate this dualism, and the ability as the Christianities became Christendom under Constantine that Christianity and Rome became all Good (US) and Judaism and the Sanhedrin became Christ Killers–all Bad (Them). He goes on then to unpack that this is being brought into the Middle Eastern political landscape through bad religion and interpretation so Anti-Semitism is taking root in Islam.
Why this matters? Are you able to see the parallels with Colonialism? Settler and First Nation? Civil and savage? The outgrowth in our own politics of the same dualism where one side has to be sacred and the other profane, one holy the other sinner. The last Federal and provincial election cycles were nothing more than mud fists with the race to the lowest common denominator…no vision casting, no dreaming, no talking of foreign and domestic policies to build healthy relations nationally and globally.
Then we wonder why we have blockades? It’s a boiling point of frustration. Sure, some of the protesters may be paid, some may not know why they are their because like sports teams, political and populist movements, there is bandwagoners that join up to be a part of something. In an increasingly isolated world, any glimmer of belonging is what one latches on too.
It is rooted in the story of Canada, passive genocide both cultural and spiritual, inter-generational trauma, reserves, lack of education, soaring suicide rates, boil water advisories, Murdered Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (rampant serial killers targeting our vulnerable and the RCMP not acting), it is `60’s scoops of children to civilize them, residential schools, it is dehumanizing them, using them to fight our wars and when they returned home not allowing them back on reserves and with their families until they were found dead on our streets, shattered languages, over seizure by child welfare, over representation in prisons, high rates of addiction…
It is a government response that was almost, but not even. Talk of repealing the Indian Act since the Trudeau Sr. era. Being able to speak into the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the 1982 Constitution Act (which started way back when with Louis Riel and the Red River Resistance); The failed Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords that may or may not have changed things for the better but became too highly politicized behind personalities for a true reading, stable governance, and a passionate Prime Minister on relationship building, Paul Martin, who worked with First Nations to craft the Kelowna Accord that would have radically changed the way our mosaic functions…then 10 years of a rise of old stock Christendom Dominionism that put relations back, if not in law, rather relationship, to when there was still debates if our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters are wards or humans. This was seen through the overturned by the Supreme Court of governmental re-write of environmental laws to push through oil and gas projects, and sell off Crown Land. To the end of the throwback to something new, but stumbling to find its rudder. An inquiry into MMIWG, Inquiry that came so close, but not far enough with no apologies for the flub. A Truth and Reconciliation process concluding with nothing changed or how to get the recommendations implemented. Both the “settler” and the “Indigenous” governmental bodies being discussed inside and outside for corruptions, misuse of funds and powers.
Then the pipeline through B.C.. The lightning rod. The final straw, and the protests began. Some poured over into blockades for transport routes (much like the Yellow Vest movement had done to support Oil & Gas). The forcing of the oil industry on another’s land, unseded. In another time, it could’ve created conversation and exploration as rural farmers are being left to foot the bill of abandoned wells on their land as the Alberta Government feels pity for the great corporations…but in the dualistic Canada it has created disparity, anger, and fuelled hatred. As well, as the challenge of balancing independence, interdependence, and need for economic capital within communities which is why, as in all pieces of our mosaic you cannot paint an act of some as it representing all.
If you want to state civil disobedience is wrong…then if your a woman stop voting, if your a veteran return your benefits, if your a worker give up your benefits and living wages and send your children to work–those are just a few changes for the better that came from Canadians with civil disobedience. The rule of law is thrown around, peaceful protest and gatherings are permitted under our constitution, the blockades are another matter. Yet the answer from the other side is the hammer of force via military (yes the RCMP is a military wing of our armed forces, they are infantry)…and so we see the peaceful protesters arrested and caged which does not help open up collaborative discourse for a peaceful ending, resolution, and healing.
Some have their hate released because of CN Rail saying it is going to lead to lay offs, and their stopping shipping. Yet, it has created a good smoke screen for the corporation that was coming under fire and tighter scrutiny by the Federal Government in their infrastructure up keep to stop the series of fatal derailments that have been plaguing the rails in Canada. They had been speaking of layoffs, and workers talking of strikes before this happened…so did the protests cause? Or are merely a way to build support for the poor corporation? Think, explore, listen and look.
See each other, as person not as Them to your Us.
Finally, we have all sides screaming for political change in Canada, reform of how government operates. I am not going into Prime Minister Trudeau’s seeking of the UN Security Council Seat or his International work during what is happening here. First, the misogynistic attempts by opponents and bully language makes one tune you out. He is doing what needs to happen internationally, let’s look what is happening nationally. The deputy Prime Minister (a woman), and the Premiers are being left to show what leadership looks like in our Constitution. Constitutionally the Prime Minister is within his rights to enact the War Measures Act…and the blood will run. So why not? There is legal and illegal, the War Measures Act is a sledge hammer, and a black and white tool in what is a grey area that requires a surgeon as we traverse the more ethical, what is right and wrong? Why this approach and why are we not able to see why this approach matters? Is it misogyny that does not allow one to see that this is a team/community approach? A rather decolonized approach to reconciliation? That we all need to work together to make our nation healthy and better.
For that is the challenge, when we speak of decolonizing I’m reminded of an interview question I had been asked in regards to it with an institution. I pointed out it is accessing wisdom of elders to compliment teaching and mentorship, but it is also taking the sacred teachings and medicine wheel as the lens (paradigm) we teach through. The response was well we have a class specifically on the Medicine Wheel. Ok, but to break the cycle it is doing things differently, it is not teaching one thing in isolation but showing how you take a value system and use that to craft your practice and your life. If we can apply in our learning and teachings a holistic system that honours creation including the person then we can grow a stronger, healthier nation and communities. It is an ongoing daily examin, adjusting, living and loving.
It can be done with any healthy and positive belief system that allows for healthy community. If done properly it will transform politics, governments and laws. It is reconciliation after our truth…the way forward together. It is collectively opening up our constitution and saying, what does Canada need to look like for the next 150 years to continue to be a world leader?
There is no easy answers to where we are at now. We are living the grieving process of change. A nation–any community, is a living breathing organism, what we are seeing played out is what happens in our own body’s when change and grief happen. It is what happens when we keep repressing, ignoring warning signs and pushing forward eventually it crashes.
Are we willing to step up and look to the healthy solutions? Are we willing to silence the extremists on both sides in the healing and let the communal good move forward. Let the heart call out the b.s. (belief systems–or fertilizer, it is both). That is the crux of the matter. Will we give in to dualism, and the eventuality of altruistic evil
or
Are we strong enough as a nation, to live what we profess to believe?
Paul’s Tweet Thread
Posted: December 13, 2018 by Ty in Brunch & Bible, SpiritualityTags: Apostle Paul, Colosse, Forgiveness, Onesimus, Paul, Philemon, Reconciliation, Timothy
Ah 62 CE or thereabouts as (Saint) Paul (formerly Saul) of Tarsus was in prison following his voyage to Rome. Yes, we have hit an undisputed authentic letter of Paul, his shortest epistle, and one of the top 4 shortest in the Christian Testament (2 & 3 John and Jude coming before). Paul had some aid in a co-authorship some believe with his disciple Timothy. It was a short letter to the city of Colosse (note Epislte of Colossians). It was for the whole community, but specifically written to the wealthy church leader (possibly bishop) there, Philemon. We know Philemon was wealthy, as the letter deals with forgiveness and reconciliation with a slave, Onesimus, who had left Philemon’s home, and his role to serve Paul in prison.
Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
-Epistle of Philemon 1-3 (English Standard Version)
First off let’s tackle the elephant in the room with this tweet thread (as it would probably come to Colosse today). Slavery is wrong. The church used passages and writings such as Philemon to prop up the slave industry for far too long. We still see the remnants of it today with language used around sweat shops; no raises in minimum wage; fights against living wages; and those that would defend sex trafficking (or sex trade for those who have not freely chosen it). Paul was a man of his time period when slavery was apart of the socio-economics of the day. He is not writing to endorse the practice, for other writings of his boldly spoke out against slavery (there is no slave, no free). Do not use these words to endorse caste system for that is not the purpose.
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you
-Epistle of Philemon 4-7 (ESV)
It is within these words that Paul truly lays out the worth of every human life, every image bearer. Contrary to current and ancient belief on the matter:
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment.11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
-Epistle of Philemon 8-22 (ESV)
Level up to justice and equality. In Paul’s fashion calling out an outdated practice for one that calls themselves into leadership. It is not about the labels, the hierarchy. It is a flat plain of belonging. Forgiving the affronts of society, which is what Philemon had to struggle with for Onesimus left to do the good work of caring for another. In other words, Philemon had to let go of ego and his prestige to welcome Onesimus back. Not only welcome him back though, but become a living example of forgiveness, and the next step reconciliation. In our world, it is apt to remember forgiveness does not mean condoning actions- what Paul is showing here is actions were good and Philemon is being held back by societal construct of vengeance on property- the truth was spoken, much like truth and reconciliation.
As with some actions in our society of violence, reconciliation can be a personal matter to your own being, not letting the pain control you anymore, or the abuser. In some situations it can be an agreed upon moving forward, as we have seen in South Africa, where truth was spoken, and is taught of the horrors of the past, but the society has agreed to move forward with a new beginning.
The fresh start of the Roman prison system. If you survived your time, upon release no record followed you. That is what Paul is communicating to Philemon by saying see Onesimus as he would Paul. Destroying any caste system that Philemon would attempt to fall back on, for the new path.
What caste system belief is holding back the whole you?
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
-Epistle of Philemon 23-25 (ESV)
Acknowledging others within the movement. Thanking those you work with for what has been accomplished. Simple leadership secrets that build a person up.
Onesimus was heading back to his owner…would a new reality await?
What new reality awaits you?
Eugenics & The UCC (Observer Sept. 2018 Letters)
Posted: September 18, 2018 by Ty in Current Events, SpiritualityTags: Belonging, Eugenics, People are people, Reconciliation, Social Gospel, TRC
Much of my soul work throughout my life has been exorcising an abhorrent SIN from the amazing work of the gospel found in the Monastic Orders (Franciscan, Basillian, Jesuit) and Social Gospels that have formed me. That unnamed SIN (that is denigration of the Creator’s image, and Holy Breath of life in each of us) is EUGENICS. I wrote a response letter to the national magazine of the United Church of Canada. First hand I have witnessed, and taken the brunt of the active ableism and passive eugenics thought still existing in the institution. This has what was published (and they could not even spell my name right) and following is what was submitted…you can judge if the essence was captured or something missed:
Published September 2018:
Submitted June 2018 via e-mail:
I must say that Rev. Cantwell is right, the UCC (and Christianities in general) have a lot more listening to do. well it is admirable to touch on the much needed work of reconciliation through TRC and affirming ministries there is still a piece of our history we allow to passively exist.
EUGENICS.
More colloquially known in its form today as “Ableism”. It is the belief that Persons with Disabilities (speical needs, differently abled, let the person let you know how they identify) are “less than human”. It is the dark shadow side of the Social Gospel movement that spurred such good societal change such as suffrage, human rights, labour rights, etc. It is the idea because we view them as less than it is okay to hide our neighbour away in institutions, remain silent on their #metoo, do not allow health sexuality to be discussed, in our very recent history in Canada still forcibly sterilized, and encourage aborting. It is also why there is an undercurrent within congregations where they feel it is okay to passively inform families you do not belong here, we do not want you here, we cannot handle your care.
We want to hold onto the justice roots of our historic social gospel, yet we fail to realize to do that means truth about our eugenics history, exorcising our continued ableism (see the call for ending plastic straws not knowing you are calling for ending some with disabilities- ability to drink), and reconciling to move forward as ONE children of God in the blessed rainbow (to paraphrase Desmond Tutu).
it means bringing a new lens to the old, old story. It is not reading a healing miracle as showing a “less than” ableist frame. It is seeing the miracle for the only way belonging could happen: removing of the barriers of society’s imposed cast system. It is what we need to do now. We need to look to the friends in Mark that found a way- even it meant tearing out the roof, so their friend could belong. We must look to what authentic and true belonging looks like. What needs to happen physically is simply one step. Token inclusion does not solve it. it is engaging in conversation, learning, and authentic apologizing.
It is truly understanding Brother Jesus’ statement about the person with disability being there for the glory of God, that is the one pointing the finger going “what is wrong with him?” being pointed out as the one with the issue, for they hate the image of God. The image the holy breath was breathed into on Day 6 and called Holy…in all forms.
So yes it is time to do deeper listening, but also to act to burn down the house of exclusion and fear. To fully admit the atrocity of our past, and to become the ally for our neighbour we are called to be. It is time to truly understand that we are all different, and all holy. Is your congregation ready to shatter the barriers/traditions that continue the idea any child of God is less than?
Shalom & Namaste,
Dr. Ty Ragan
Dr. Ty Ragan
(Ended discernment for ministry almost 8 yrs ago over ableism in church)
Should the Canadian Roman Catholic Church lose tax exemption and non-profit status over refusal to abide its own beliefs?
Posted: April 20, 2018 by Ty in Current Events, SpiritualityTags: Apology, Canadian Bishops, Charlie Angus, Conservatives, Free Votes, NDP, Pope Francis, Reconciliation, Residential Schools, TRC
Now I have gone back and forth on taxing the churches my whole life. For me it comes down do they fulfill what their beliefs say, do no promote hatred, and are community involved is really what should allow them the privilege they have. Yes it is a privilege, and the religious communities need to remember that, it takes quite a bit to get that privilege in Canada.
And, the Roman Catholic Church has held a special part of my faith journey. I have seen welcoming parishes, and parishes that have bent over backwards to ensure belonging of all God’s Children. I love the mystery, and the sacraments, and the depth-breadth of theological and social science discourse that can happen. During my Franciscan formation there was no Ecumenical or Anglican group in the city so I fellow-shipped with the Secular Franciscan Order, have used the FCJ centre for personal retreat, and been in one parishes Lay Ministry of Praise (prayer).
But I do believe it is time for the Canadian Government to take a stand that will rile many, but I believe it is necessary. Those watching current events of the political nature in Canada have noted the fact that due to the structure of the Roman Catholic Church it is easy for the Vatican to duck responsibility on issues and to be held account for abuses. It usually allows the local diocese, and parish to take the hits while avoiding any hint of “official responsibility”. Popes will speak of personal remorse or sorrow around abuse (residential, sexual) that has happened to parishners, residential school survivors (not just Canadian, it was a format they used on other continents). The most lawyerly of answers.
Which is an affront to one of their key 7 Sacraments to stay in true good Communion with the Body of Christ. That is what was once known as the Sacrament of Confession, since Vatican II has become the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In its essence, it is admitting a wrong one has committed and seeking out within one’s whole person to be reconciled new, and to make amends to the party harmed. What are we to do with a group that will not honour their own belief systems? Core beliefs at that? A group that’s inaction has left them from following through on monetary support to residential school survivors, and due to lack of official apology are putting the TRC process in jeopardy for our hurting nation. TRC-Truth and Reconciliation- let that set in for what the church is avoiding.
You will read and hear many reasons and rationales. Some Conservative MP’s would not support the unanimous call to action to get the Pope to Canada. They sited their conscience against a government curtailing a group’s freedom of religion (I have no issue with free votes, as I have noted I dislike and think the whipped vote is unconstitutional)…yet we need to be pragmatic when thinking of freedom of religion as halting this. What else could be avoided judicially and civilly by a religious group hiding behind this? (I think of stories around Jehovah Witness’ cover ups; and other cover ups under this guise).
What is at play is simply will the Pope, head of the Vatican State and spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church truly enter the sacrament of reconciliation with all victims of his church’s practice and cover up. Will the Canadian Bishops allow it on our soil? Personally, I would love to see it happen from the throne of the Vatican as a declaration made from the infallibility position. Would it be painful for the Vatican, its dioceses, parishes and religious orders? Yes. Would many lands, buildings and monies be lost? Yes.
But here is what happens when a body is held to account and lives out the professed beliefs…think of what healing would happen within the world.
Second best, if games continue to be played…then tax them like any other business.
Further Reading:
Conservative MP blocks Unanimous Call for Residential School Apology from Pope Francis
A Monk's Musings 