January 2022 In a way, so much of the year 2021 was depressing and frustrating, and represented a time when as a people and as practitioners we simply had no control over the events and consequences of the pandemic narrative. I closed my 2021 messages on what I hope was a strong note of optimism. I have come to the understanding that this is the way of our “new reality”. We have come through the transition from pre-pandemic life and have arrived into the present situation that we must [...]
November 2021 In a talk by Melissa Spas (who serves as the Director of Education and Engagement for an organization called the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) she commented that “the dominant expectation of our economy is scarcity and competition, and the shadow side of scarcity is greed.” Scarcity, competition and greed – does that ring true for the pandemic situation we are currently facing? Biblical scholar Marcus Borg uses the term “domination system” in his writings, which he says refers to “what is commonly called ‘systemic injustice’ [...]
September 2021 Let me begin with a brief explanation and apology. The weeks of August and early September have been life transforming. My Mom and I managed to safely make our road-trip trek to Edmonton and back home only to find that it will be our last vacation or “escape”. Our Prime Minister called a snap general federal election to be held today (Sept. 20); new outbreaks of COVID have intensified even though nearly 80% of the eligible provincial population has received at least one jab; Health Canada changed [...]
August 23, 2021 In spite of the influx of journals, emails and newsletters during my time away from my desk, I have stuck with my determination to avoid doing another translation this month. I have however received a number of very interesting links and commentaries from around the world. It seems that the countries where the most stringent restrictions and most “effective” vaccination campaigns have been waged, are the countries with the most virus challenges during the current times. Here are a few important links from our colleagues. From [...]
July 2021 Here in our part of Canada summer has exploded with extreme heat, hundreds of raging wildfires, our beautiful blue skies clouded with hazy smoke and the so-called easing of virus restrictions. Sadly, however it seems that with these changes in restrictions, a whole new form of division and separation is growing. Now it seems that differences of race, gender, religious affiliation and political belief have little meaning and are finally blended into a strong and self-righteous diversity. And who is this incredibly socially aware group to whom [...]

