At our 2nd Breakfast service, Walter followed up on his fall workshops by inviting discussion of how we can stay in good relationships with those whose views differ greatly from our own on many issues of the day. We concluded that we’re tired of referring to these folks (often family members, co-workers and neighbours) as ‘enemies.’
Walter explores the theme for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Joy), emphasizing that joy must remain aware of the suffering and hardship around us and that trust enables us to respond to the moments when joy arises in us. When his notes ran out of steam, the congregation’s wisdom rose to the challenge!
Walter continues in the theme of “Being Human Together” by sharing thoughts from Jung, Romans 7-8, and 1 John on the importance of our getting to know our Shadow so it can be transformed by love and grace and grow up to be a part of our whole personality.
Today, as part of our new theme of “Being Human Together,” Walter shared on how music and lament can help us experience our sadness in order to become softer and more connected with others.
This morning, Walter emphasized the importance of a rhythm that encourages us to acknowledge goodness and take a real rest – the rhythm of Sabbath. We hope that […]
Today Walter shared some thoughts on making it easier to endure pain and hardship if we help each other tell ourselves better stories, using a paraphrase of Romans 5.1-4 (and his own experience) as an example.
 Walter reflects on being continually reminded of how important it is for our healing and wholeness to have the courage to ‘bear honest witness to our experience’ – which, as Jesus says, ‘sets us free.’ He also tells barely relevant stories of his trip with a few irrelevant pictures.
Walter shares how it’s possible to settle our troubled hearts if we find our refuge – and how one of his has been the Celtic Liturgy service. But there are so many more possible!
This morning, after a windy cold weekend, Walter shared a talk on the homelessness of Jesus and the type of vulnerability and willingness to leave home that is a part of being his follower.
On New Year’s Day, we had a “combined service”: we used the Celtic liturgy from the early service and added a beautiful song by Ray Funk during communion followed by a short homily by Walter Thiessen in which he invited us to consider “compassionate curiosity” as a phrase for the year.