This book has been bouncing around in the back of my brain for a long time now and I think it is finally appropriate to come out as my last post as NADC consultant. It was given to me by an acquaintance who did not know what a deacon was or what a deacon does, but they heard that I was a deacon and saw it on Oprah's list and thought it must be for me! This friend of mine is not a professing christian and I don't know if they made the connection of the book to spirituality, but it was an enjoyable read. 

My favourite quote was one that speaks to what deacons in all our congregations do. When the main character is asked his name, he says... "mostly in these parts they calls me Deacon." Which is followed up by the question, what does a deacon do? And here is his answer... that may be your answer too.

"Well now, that's a good question. We do all sorts of things. We helps the church. We throws out the garbage. We buys the furniture sometimes. We shop for he food for the deaconesses to make for the repast and such. We even preaches from time to time if we is called upon. We does whatever needs to be done. We're your holy handyman."

A humble, well rounded answer in my opinion.
And an honest one, because he follows it up by saying well actually, truth be told, it's the women that run most of the churches out here and most of the time from behind the scenes. And don't we all know the truth and importance to that, as we should be elevating more women to leadership roles!

It is one thing I love about being a deacon and serving our congregations and communities. And it is one of the biggest things I will miss by not being in the NADC consultant role; connecting with and serving others. I will continue serving in deacon ways in my own congregation and I will try to be a presence in the areas of my passions, to the wider community as I am able on a voluntary basis. We need to continue the conversation on creation care and go further, we need to make walking the path of reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters one of the top justice actions and we can't overlook those on the margins who will help call us to account.

I hope deacons will continue to learn, be curious and compassionate about our world and all people in it. I hope deacons will continue to be excited about justice, service and love to others. And I hope deacons will inspire and encourage all those around them to do the same and find where their passions could lead them. Before I became a deacon, I had no idea that serving and building relationships with men in the prison system would give my life meaning and energy during a global pandemic, but we all need to be open to how God can surprise us. 

There may be challenging times ahead for churches and those in leadership; (like deacons) but I pray that deacons will continue to be voices for peace, critics of injustice and keep doing what needs to be done. Life certainly never stays the same, new seasons and opportunities arise and we have to be willing and ready to go where the spirit leads. 

I have been blessed by the seven years of serving in this role and I hope to still see many of you into the future, around the circles of ministry and care for our communities.  - Jesse Edgington

One of my favourite things is reading a variety of kinds of literature and seeing how God weaves threads through these creative acts of the authors viewing and telling stories about life. It mirrors what is being done in the books of the Bible and I imagine early Christians; possibly reading collections of canonized scripture in a similar way. In the three books pictured here we have a book of history, a book of poetry and a book of historical fiction (or faction). 

In all of these works, there is a thread of accounts of refugees, travellers, hosts and guests. 

My favourite poem by David Whyte, in the book above, is called Refuge. It first describes physical places where one can find refuge from the elements and then with one phrase transports the reader into history and a time and place of struggle and connection. "Then in Galitia"... I close my eyes and can just imagine myself in different land, a time thousands of years ago, seeking refuge as a traveller. The poem describes a family behind a door of their home, inviting the refugee in and the final line is a beautiful conclusion... "the stranger's love is best of all."

The other two books are historical (or story based on history) and I find them fascinating when one looks back in analysis of what has happened and how it has led to contexts of today. As Richard Wagamese says, "We get only one story, which we narrate looking backwards."

One part of the novel by Matthieu Aikins, points out the history of the European Union, aspiring to Immanuel Kant's 1795 vision of peace, setting up a great post world war network and aligning twenty-seven nations as one. For this the EU won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012, showing it is possible for people and nations to come together across borders. Sadly just ten years later, in our context now, we see that dream of peace being shattered by the actions of perpetual war and increased refugee displacement. 

Aikins also points out that in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down, there was only fifteen borders that had walls or fences in the world. Between then and 2016, that number has gone the wrong way and swelled to an astounding seventy! Our societies are not actioning towards peace, open doors or bigger tables, we are operating in fear, resource hoarding, greed and exclusion. Aikins story of refugees travelling from Syria, through Turkey, Greece and others places is one of truly fascinating and heart breaking realities of war and conflict. 

That brings me to the last book, a historical account of different pushes and pulls that has shaped and transformed the communities of history that call themselves Christian. While it may be easy, lazy or ill informed to lump all Christians as one, this historical account tells some fascinating stories of theologians, philosophers and other people who have deeply wrestled with what it means to be Christian in both word and deed. 

There is wide ranging influence, from those like the reforming Lutherans, Philipp Spener, who said, "Christianity does not mean assenting to a creed, for conviction of truth is far from being faith; true Christianity is the practise of love." In this time of orthodox debate, Martin Luther chimed in during the 1500's trying to warn others that the tricks of Satan were to gain a small foothold with "the intentions of detaining you with unnecessary things and thus keeping you from those which are necessary. Once he has gained an opening... he will force in his whole body together with sacks full of useless questions."

I sometimes think our North American Christian divisions, denominational differences, infighting and splitting are precisely what Luther was warning us against. In a world where we see real time stories of war, conflict and increasing refugee displacement, we get caught up holding "sacks full of useless questions." In the historical account of Christianity, Diana Butler Bass talks about many ways Christians have attempted to understand and live out the faith and often have fallen short. In a quest for modernity, a search for big T truth, Christians thought they could solve the problems that plagued humankind. But she asks, if in the end, Christians were less interested in pursuing God than they were in pursuing knowledge about God? The quest for the modern reformed Christian became a puzzle to be solved, instead of life of mystery and wonder to be lived in love. 

In any case, these three reads are wonderful ways to get us thinking, give us context wider than our own and hopefully inspiration to propel us into action. Whichever genre speaks to your heart, check it out or read all three and be moved to ask your church and community about the work of refugee resettlement. Because as so beautifully put by the George Orwell quote above, we are all connected and a part of the problems and solutions. 

This is the third blog post in a row that features Indigenous themes and voice, and I think it is fitting for this time of year that focuses on uplifting Indigenous Peoples and their cultures. Orange shirt day, Indigenous Peoples day, summer festivals and powwows, and now as you may be aware, the government recently passed legislation to make September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten. Faith groups and churches should also be committed to this learning and remembrance, so we should all consider what we might do and how we can be involved on the first ever upcoming stat holiday on September 30, 2021. 

Some diaconates are talking about taking a special collection to support an Indigenous Organization, others are watching for events they could participate in and as allies, settler heritage Canadians could consider new ways to invest time, energy and resources into forming relationships with our Indigenous kin. Here is a list (not exhaustive and in no particular order of preference) of Indigenous Organizations you could consider supporting personally or as a church:

Educational: North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS), Blue Quills University, Yellowhead Tribal College, Keyano Clearwater Campus (Fort McMurray), Amiskwaciy Academy (Edmonton)...

Friendship Centres: Edmonton Native Healing Centre, Canadian Native Friendship Centre, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, Indigenous Family Centre (Winnipeg CRC), Edson Friendship Centre, there is also one in Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and probably more...

Multimedia: CFWE The Raven radio, APTN Indigenous TV network, Tribal Trails Indigenous TV series, CKUA.com/indigenouspathways, Alberta Sweetgrass, Windspeaker, Native Journal, Alberta Native News, The Metis Messenger, BearPaw Media and Education, podcasts called Our Native Land and Peacing it all Together...

Family and Community services: Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Bear Clan Patrol, Ben Calf Robe Society, Bent Arrow, Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centres, Iskwew Health, Crossroads Resource Centre and Women's Shelter (Fairview), Creating Hope Society...

Action, Activism and Outreach: Indigenous Climate Action, Keepers of the Water, North American Indigenous Ministries (NAIM), Word of Hope Ministries, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations...

While the above list has a lot of options and covers national as well as organizations found in our Classis and province, I have probably missed one that you may know and love. You can find many online or at the following government of Alberta link (open.alberta.ca/dataset/1e38502a-550b-4351-86cf-10cc5f393f93/resource/3bae701e-0e72-49bf-ba16-2a3901bf6534/download/guide-indigenous-organizations-services-alberta.pdf).

If there is one you would like me to add, or one in particular that you would like to know more about, please contact me at [email protected]

The pictures above tell stories of my own journey towards learning and action of a continual journey towards reconciliation. The left is the setup for an Indigenous led ceremony called Standing Stones, the middle is a medicine wheel flower bed that an Indigenous friend helped me create in my front yard and the right is a Treaty document reminding us that we are all treaty people. A part of my journey over the past months has been the CRC ministry called Hearts Exchanged. 

As described by the organizers, the cohorts of groups are on learning and action journeys designed to equip Reformed Christians to engage with Indigenous Peoples as neighbours and fellow image bearers. This co-learning setting models the sacred journey of reconciliation, preparing us as Christians to build relationships with Indigenous communities that are marked by mutual respect and reciprocity. Participants are transformed in their minds and hearts as they are invited into honest dialogue about the harms of colonialism, and encounter ‘hearts broken’ stories and experiences.
 
If you agree to participate you would be committing to eight gatherings in your local area; one per month starting in Fall 2021. You would also commit to complete some self-directed learning in between each of the meetings, and as a co-learning cohort, contribute your reflections to your broader community. We anticipate that the initial meetings would be hosted on Zoom, with in person learning dependent on COVID guidelines. The time commitment is estimated to be 4 to 8 hours per month; between the monthly zoom session and activities in between.
 
It is our hope that this process will have a ripple effect, equipping you with insights, personal experiences and relationships that will inspire you for further conversations within the church and beyond. Furthermore, we hope to deepen our national dialogue and understanding of cross-cultural ministry as we lean-in to respect, reciprocity and relationships. This process will also be the foundation for the next Canadian National Gathering, equipping the CRC to continue learning together.  
 
If you are willing to live into this process, could you confirm your interest by signing up using this link by July 16th? (People can still sign up after this date, so if you’re interested but can’t confirm right now, please still reply to let us know so we can save a space for you).

This is for all congregants, deacons, elders, pastors and leaders. Consider it today.

             As I reflect on my place and position in life, one way I have been taught to meditate is by doing a daily examine. I find it to be grounding, humbling and also a challenging practice. One reason it challenges me is when it reveals my privilege and biases that are born out of my own experiences and context of being a white male. Another challenge is born out of an external physical reality of comfort, safety and lack of distress (even within distressing global circumstance). I wonder if a large portion of North Americans live in that similar dichotomy where the most prevalent struggles in our lives are coming from within our own bodies as we deal with trauma, anxiety, loneliness and spiritual struggle? One of the bigger questions that may come up in a time of examine, or a time of internal struggle, is the questions of why?
             I have been wrestling with that very question over the past months, being part of an online book study group that is reading “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl. This book study is with a group of people that are men’s group volunteers, formerly and currently incarcerated men. The book was chosen by the guys “on the inside” and is a great book to help us all reflect on the big picture why’s of life. The author is using his story of struggle and survival of an internment camp to introduce a therapy concept called logotherapy, but there are many deep aspects of humanity, spirituality and practical life lessons that can be teased out of it. There is also a common intersection of imprisonment, between the story from the book and the situations that the incarcerated guys share.
              Victor Frankl talks about experiences of deep sadness, boredom, longing and near complete loss of self or one’s own humanity. With extended periods of time for almost nothing more than self-reflection, Frankl describes the most important thing he had within was the freedom of choice. His life was completely limited by his external circumstance, but he always had the option to choose how he was going to react and what kind of attitude he was going to have. It was amazing to hear the guys on the inside describe some of the choices they have had to make and to be able to have come to a realization like “I didn’t want to give up on my future” or “I decided that I could not give up on the people I love and who love me.”
             The other striking thing about the book is, although it talks a lot about inner examination and personal therapy, Frankl puts a huge amount of value on external experience. He talks about meaning and purpose in life (the big why question) as only truly being able to be found in things like relational connection, service to others, experiencing nature and beauty, or the most profound of all; the act of love. If we have the answer to why we want to live and love others, then we can somehow manage to work out the how. The why gives us hope and is often associated with a sense of community and purposeful belonging. In a community, we miss those who are not there, and conversely they miss us when we are not there.
             That is part of why this pandemic has us languishing as it drags on. Our intrinsic worth as humans living in community is being challenged, our resolve is being pressed and we are being forced to find hope and belonging in smaller circles and more simplistic ways. Being present can mean being risky, negligent or at very least, not fully present. Caring for each other includes listening to stories, responding with empathy and compassion, but it is so difficult to do right now.                  In suffering; aspects of listening, lamenting, slowing down and still finding ways to connect is challenging. The connection with self-care, God, creation and community is the way to maintaining hope and keeping us on the path of healing and shalom. Easier said than done right now… As Frankl says, our last freedom is our choice, how we are going to choose to respond to day to day situations; with what kind of attitude.   
              The struggle within can include trauma, pain, loss, boredom, personal crisis, but the struggle without is equally concerning. Without connection, purpose, meaning or hope… where do we turn, how do we continue? Suffering through this will change us, make us pay attention to new things and force us to act with newly defined intentions. The power to love will come from within, from our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, but it will not come without direct action of our humanity lived out, in society together. 

             Recently I was reading and reflecting on a passage from 1st Peter and a parallel image came so strongly in my mind and on my heart that I had to write it down. I have been in relationship with guys making the transition from inside institutions to back out into community and the challenges they face are significant. In this time of covid isolation, and complexity thrown into all life's systems, I hope and pray for all who are navigating change. This interpretation is for incarcerated brothers and sisters but as Peter wrote it, inspired by the God, has meaning for us all in some way. I encourage you to read both versions and listen for what the Spirit imparts to your heart.
 
1 Peter 2: 11-16 (prison context)
Dear Friends,
        I encourage you, as inmates and parolees, to stop thinking about the things that broke you and your healthy relationships. Live such good lives among the guards and officers, that though they know your crimes, they will see how much you’ve changed and will congratulate your family and friends on the days they visit. 
       In order to make peace while in the system, submit to the people in power who are your gate keepers. Listen to the authorities, judges, officers, C.O.’s and P.O.’s. They are there to punish; but also to help and support. It is our Creators great plan, that by living in good relations in the moment, ignorance, fear and foolishness will die off. 
        With the release of your conviction, even though you are still inside or on conditions, live as free people. But do not forget or abuse that freedom when you get out. Separate yourself from former ways and people that try to drag you back into crime cycles. Live lives as if you are still inmates, but incarcerated to right relationships, chained to a harmony tree. Submit yourselves to sacrificial neighborly love of self, Creator and others.

As Easter approaches, our faith communities are typically anticipating a special weekend of gathering, remembering and celebrating what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. One way that many of our CRC churches have done so is with the gift of the set of paintings called "The Creator's Sacrifice," painted by artist Ovide Bighetty. These 17 stunning paintings, done in Woodlands Cree style, tell the Passion Story in a moving and unique way. 

The best way to see and experience this art is in person; with time to interact with it in a number of ways. It is also something that can bring people together, open up imagination and conversation. Churches have been able to experience and learn about relationship building with Indigenous People along side those in their communities. Unfortunately in this moment of time, with gatherings of more than 15 people not being safe for containing the spread of COVID-19, a gallery viewing of these paintings is not ideal.

With so many things moving to the virtual and internet platforms, including church services, we have put together a modest showing of these prints for individuals and churches to add to their Easter experience if they are interested. See the videos below, of the paintings with readings from the Stations of the Cross. They are done individually, as well as all put together, to give you different options of how you can interact with them best. The large file with all of them together is viewable only and includes a doxology at the end, sung by artist Cheryl Bear. www.dropbox.com/s/3hx7rwl1rs2ltsh/Stations%20of%20the%20Cross.mp4?dl=0