Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. At our Eucharist tonight we will wear ashes as a sign of our need to repent which means to change our direction in life and to align it with God's way. It is the opportunity for us to take stock of our spiritual health and to strive for the path which leads to healing and growth.

Why Ashes? In ancient days, wearing ashes was not only a sign of repentance, but also a sign of our own mortality. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust", we say at the grave-side. Physically wearing these ashes on our foreheads is a tangible way to realize that these physical bodies of ours are temporary homes and this helps us to focus on our spirits which will go on.

What can you do to focus on your spirit this Lent? What are your hopes for spiritual growth?

Cuba

I just heard word from our intrepid travellers in Cuba. They have sent me two e-mails, each one with a photo attached which I have put on our bulletin board. Bill and Jean and Anita seem to be doing quite well: melting from the heat and, amazingly, keeping out of trouble: even Bill!

Let's rejoice that Bill and Jean and Anita are helping to form our relationship with our companion parish of San Pablo in Cuba. May they return safely back to us. And may they bring some warmth back with them!

Snow

We all knew it was coming, but there's nothing like experiencing the real thing. Why is it that a storm's winds can howl so much more convincingly around a 100 year-old house. Last night after 11 P.M. I stood at the glass front door of the darkened Rectory, transfixed by the power of the storm. The snow flying through the air showed the turbulence: each eddy and flow of the gusts carried on the strong North-Easterly. I stood, matching sound and motion, and entering into the dance between the two. Darkness and light. God is great, I thought.

School is out and the children rejoice. Time to play. Can the adults remember what children know so easily? And can we, in our play, be in awe of last night's power which created today's sculpted blanket of white?

Clergy Day Today

I Have just returned from a Clergy Day at St. Christopher's in Burlington. The afternoon was the Bishop's time and he started his talk with the announcement that he will be retiring in a year on February 29th, 2008. There will be an electoral Synod in June to elect a c0adjuter Bishop who will serve with Bishop Ralph before becoming the new Diocesan Bishop when Bishop Ralph retires. Bishop Ralph followed his announcement with an hour remembering his past ten years as our Bishop. It was a heartfelt, often humourous talk which ended with the challenge for us to support the new bishop whom we will elect. At the end of his speech we, the clergy, gave him a standing ovation.

I am so grateful for Bishop Ralph: for bringing me to this Diocese and to this great parish of St. Andrew. I am thankful for his pastoral care for me and my family and for the clergy and people of Niagara. We still have him for a year, and I hope that it can be a year in which the people of St. Andrew's Church can show their appreciation for him and his care.

Drew's New Blog

Hi Folks,

I am starting this blog as a way for Parishioners and friends of St. Andrew's Church to participate in our web site. If you have something to say or would like to start a conversation simply post your comment.

I would like to start us off by talking about grattitude. I am gratefull for the great witness of so many people in our parish. Tonight I got to see a new committee meet for the first time. This morning I saw a parishioner share her gift of music with some old folks at a new seniors' residence. Then, in the afternoon, I got to see the same parishioner do it all again for some others at a nursing home. Every day I am conscious of how so many of our parishioners are reaching out to help others: at the hospital, at the food bank, at our worship and in so many other ways.

So I am grateful. What things are you grateful for?