Christmas Day

Another Christmas Day has passed! Hard top believe it’s the end of December already. I had an interesting Christmas this year – I’m an honorary assistant at St. John’s Anglican in Ancaster, which means “volunteer priest”. It’s great – the rector (David) has graciously allowed me to be part of the ministry team at St. John’s while in between paid positions. The Bishop granted his permission, and officially this started in November. It’s VERY cool – great community, lovely people, etc. So – Christmas at St. John’s – 5 services. Yup, 5. The Thursday morning service is always at 10, and Olive led that one as normal (Olive’s another honorary; she’s a delight of a woman!!)
The first “Christmas Eve” service took place at 4:00, and I was officiating. This service is largely led by the youth of the parish – and WOW what a great time! It’s called “Come to the Manger”, and it takes place in a barn. This year was a horse barn of one of the parishioners, and we had folks sitting on bales of hay while the horses watched on. It was a really neat experience, albeit a hint cold (yes, we wore coats and hats for it  David and I used it as a gift to each other – I was REALLY excited about the service, so he let me do it – and I let him have the time to rest and just be prior to the full choral masses that we had.
We had 2 such services, 7:30 and 10:00. I got to read the gospel for the one service, and it was the prologue to the gospel of John (In the beginning was the Word, etc.). For those who don’t know, that’s one of my favourite passages of scripture. I learned Koine Greek so I could read it in its original. So reading it to a full church on Christmas Day was a warm fuzzy for me. After I had finished, I was thinking “NOW it’s Christmas.” David’s sermon was therefore a little spooky… he started by asking the congregation to think of the traditions that MAKE Christmas happen for us – there are the foods, the movies, the music, etc. – and everyone has their own thing that really means the holiday is here. His point was that the coming of the Christ child is different for each of us, and it’s our traditions and relations (as most of the traditions don’t take place without family there) that makes the Emmanuel moment so profound and unique. It was cool. And, to be honest, standing beside David as he sang the Eucharistic prayer was very cool – this guy is a formally trained vocalist whose talent is downright impressive. (Check out the Three Cantors). He’s also got as warped a sense of humour as I have, so it was just fun to joke around, nibble and chat between services with the choir, spend the entire evening in worship and among friends.
Christmas morning – ah, the blessed day when the clergy are normally so tired we can barely see straight! My puppies let me sleep in this year until the alarm (7:45! Bliss!); and after church I spent the day with some very good friends (pseudo-family), getting home late. All in all, it was a good day.
The weird thing for me this year was calling home. I mean, home home. Between services on the 24th, I called the Cathedral in Winnipeg, my spiritual home, and chatted very briefly with the folks there. That started the homesickness – I really wanted to be at St. John’s Ancaster, but I also really wanted to be at St. John’s Winnipeg. Christmas night, when I called the family in Winnipeg (11:00pm, the intention was for a fast call – 3 hours later…), I had the same homesick feeling. It’s an odd dichotomy – wanting to be in MB for the holiday (and yes, I even checked into the price of flying there for a few days last minute) but also wanting to be fully present here in Hamilton. A month from now I’ll be back home, so I wanted to do justice to my time here. It just felt weird – not right or wrong, but weird.
One of the really cool things about this Christmas was how very good it was – I have a history of not liking Christmas. That’s partially why I throw myself into worship at Christmas – it’s a place of peace and joy and grace –and being part of that is so essential to how I want Christmas to be. So to have had that positive experience extend beyond the boundaries of worship and the sanctuary of the church building was delightful. It was a GOOD day. Often in the simplest of things, we can be surprised by joy. What a gift.

CIDA cuts funding to KAIROS...

UGH!!! See link for details. http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/who-we-are/cida-funding-cuts/
See below for my letter to the government... please write too!

Dear Prime Minister Harper, Minister Oda and Ms. Biggs,

It is with great shock and disappointment that I write to you concerning the matter of the recent unexpected and unexplained cessation of CIDA funds to KAIROS Canada. KAIROS is an agency which represents Christian unity and charity throughout the world, through tireless work abroad and here within Canada.

The 2009-2013 KAIROS proposal to CIDA was carefully developed to integrate well with CIDA’s priorities: specifically those dealing with human rights and environmental sustainability. The proposal was approved at every level of CIDA before being declined, by telephone and without explanation, on November 30.

Especially in such difficult economic times, the work of church-based agencies such as KAIROS is imperative to maintaining and increasing levels of social justice for our brothers and sisters around the globe. In the past, Canada has proven to be a most generous country addressing these global concerns, and the work of KAIROS has been celebrated at ecumenical conferences globally. I attended the World Council of Churches 9^th Assembly in 2006 and was proud to be from a country so dedicated to acting compassionately. This termination of a 35-year relationship between CIDA and KAIROS Canada, especially when the public is being told by the government that the economy is improving, will mean the abrupt end of many life-giving projects and programmes around the globe. I would expect that the result of this will have an extremely negative impact on Canada’s reputation. The credibility of our government when our leaders speak of their commitments to issues such as the Millennium Development Goals and at the UN Conference on Climate Change being held in Copenhagen will be lost, as actions speak louder than words. This action to end CIDA funding to KAIROS Canada is deplorable and goes against that which Mr. Harper’s government is aiming to achieve.

I am a supporter of KAIROS and its mission to the world. I have seen their good works around the world, both in person on my many journeys and through the extensive communications distributed. I have benefitted by using the materials offered by KAIROS in teaching youth (through Scouts Canada and Girl Guides of Canada, as well as in the church) about their responsibilities as global citizens. My passion for justice, inspired by KAIROS work, influences my service in the Naval Reserve. I have contributed articles for KAIROS publications, I am a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada (one of KAIROS’s members); I volunteer with and donate to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (another KAIROS member). My time, energy, skills and money are given to demonstrate my values; I would urge the government to do the same.

I strenuously recommend that the government and CIDA will reverse this horrific decision. This issue does not reflect one’s faith affiliation; rather it is based in one’s affiliation and commitment to the human race and all of creation. A reversal of the decision to cut CIDA funding to KAIROS would demonstrate to Canada and the world that the government takes its role seriously as a global leader.

Yours, as a fellow Canadian,

Lt(N) The Rev. Laura Marie Piotrowicz

Profound Moments

So... I find I enjoy time to reflect on significant events... and I had a bit of time to do that today when coming home on the GO bus.

I spent the past weekend (week?) sharing in some really profound experiences. I'm a member of the Board of Directors for the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, the Canadian Anglican organisation for international aid. As a friend puts it, Anglican Do-Gooders. This year the PWRDF celebrates it's 50th anniversary.

Twice per year, we have our Board meetings. I know, Board meetings are usually spelled Bored meetings. Lots of business, not often too much fun. However, I find these types of meetings to be highly energising. Could be my rather large desire for social justice coming out in real ways. Could be the people. Could be a lot of things.

So, the meetings of the Board started on Wednesday, and went until Saturday afternoon. We then had the AGM. Then the Youth Council meetings were starting. Well, I wear a few hats for the PWRDF; aside from being a Board member, I'm also the secretary, which means I get to sit on the Executive committee. Every Board member sits on a standing committee, mine is Development. I'm co-chair for the Partnership Steering Committee ([part of our mandate for the current strategic plan) so I got to report back on the work that has been done there, and is continuing to progress with full support of the Board (woohoo!!). A year ago I agreed to sit on the Gender committee, I'm now taking lead on that and got to report on our work there. I was blessed to work with a great group to coordinate worship for the gatherings. So overall, it was a busy few days. I'm also the current Board rep (observer) to the PWRDF Youth Council, which was meeting Saturday until today. Very cool folks - energetic, committed, passionate for justice. Inspiring. But put it all together, it makes for a long weekend. Reminds me to take a few days off before starting my other PWRDF volunteer work (I'm chaplain to the 50 Leaders program, and sit on the Diocesan team too).

So. Busy weekend. But I had 3 separate moments throughout that brought tears to my eyes. Those of you who know me well know that I seldom cry in public, especially in front of people I don't know well. And *3* this weekend.

The first time was in a brief expression of thanks to the Board. After having been ill this spring, I have received countless notes of support and prayer; a good 2/3 of them have been from people related to the PWRDF. I fully credit my continuing health and recovery to those prayers and support. So I was granted opportunity to thank the Board for their input to that - and it was so powerful for me that I had a hard time keeping the tears in. We always speak of the power of prayer, I was thrilled to be able to stand before them and show them the power of their prayers, and to let them know how much they mean to me.

The second time was Sunday morning. We have photographic evidence of this one. :) My oldest friend Veronica and her husband Mike were blessed with the miracle of a son in May. On Sunday morning, I was so blessed to become godmother to Ethan Samuel. He's gorgeous and perfect and proof that miracles surround us. It's profound to hold such an amazingly tangible gift from God and know that I'm going to play a deeply spiritual part in his life (yes, he's already changed my world :) Trying to describe the baptism to the Youth Council (whose meetings I had snuck out of for) was almost embarrassing - I almost burst into tears just telling them about him...

The third time I cried this weekend was at the conclusion of the YC meetings. I had been asked to help lead worship for the gathering, which I was pleased to do. I'm also the only ordained one of the group, so the holy handwaving duties naturally came to me. We were gathered in the chapel at the National Offices, and were under extreme time constraints, when I flipped to Eucharistic Prayer #4 (my favourite, tells the Universe Story, was the one I used for my first every celebration). I had just gotten into the Sursum Corda when it came to me that I have not celebrated the Eucharist since leaving the Ascension in May... so to be able to share that important moment with such great people in such a wonderful space - it was powerful. For so many reasons. I was shaking throughout it - and blinking back the tears.

My energy levels are still not quite where they were bfore April - I'm about 75-80% capacity. I still try to push myself though, especially when in such a great environment as this weekend. So I'm physically exhausted - I feel like I could sleep for a month! But my spirit is so uplifted right now I have been having trouble sleeping - it's as though my soul might burst out of my skin. I think that's why the tears have been flowing, just as a response to the pure elation and joy and sense of God-given love and peace I'm feeling from these rather varied experiences.

So, on the bus home I was reflecting on how these three circumstances integrate. And of course, they're all expressions of pure beauty and faith. But I think it's more than that - they all really highlight for me the actions of my vocations. I know God has called me to be an Auntie - there's a few munchkins now that have complete hold on my heart - and Ethan's baptism (like Kieran's) confirms for me the blessing of chosen family and a sacred link there. I also know that I am called to work toward peace and justice initiatives, and the PWRDF really gives me an outlet for that energy; so to be upheld by the community which means so much to me - means I'm where I need to be. And there's been little doubt about my calling to the priesthood - but a wonderful reality to have had the visceral reaction confirming that. (Almost as good as blue lights!)

I've been feeling very positive recently about being exactly where God needs me to be at this point in my journey. This weekend's experiences have just helped me share with anyone around how much positive energy there is about the whole thing. As a colleague said: tears are Holy Water - let it flow. I'm so very, very blessed.

Blog Action Day

Well, it's been nearly 2 years since I blogged. So, as today is blog action day, and I'm sitting at home with a nasty cold, I figure I may as well start up again!

So - this year's theme for BAD is climate change. Hmm, like people have never heard me go on about that. It's awful, we need to keep ourselves in check, etc. But instead of my normal eco-ranting, I want to just highlight how climate change and the environment have become part of normal conversation - which is, in my opinion, a step in the right direction...

• When chatting with a colleague the other day, we discussed how multiple-point parishes might be the way of the future; once the oil runs out and people can't drive 50km+ to go to church, having a small local chapel to go to is going to be handy.
• Chatting today with a different colleague, Earth Hour came into conversation - and how for some people it's not a big deal at all, as they already live the eco-friendly lifestyle, and for others, it's a problem - but they feel that by turning out the lights for an hour in March they've done their nature-friendly thing for the year, despite reality that energy production doesn't change at all.
• I was gifted a new book yesterday; it's called "Sacramental Commons" by John Hart - foreward by Leo Boff, afterward by Thomas Berry - some of my favourite authors :) Not only does it acknowledge the sacramental component of nature, but it's primary focus is on water (my personal favourite!) I'm looking forward to this read.
• My next door neighbours on one side don't drive. My neighbour on the other side drives everywhere. I'm somewhere in between - I will use transit or walk if I can - but too often just go for the convenience of the automobile... I walked a lot more (and was in much better shape) when I couldn't afford a car... hmmm..... but the 'walk' rant is for another day.
• I live right beside a bus stop. But the service is lousy, the bus is expensive, and the routes are terrible. I tried to bus to a doctor's appointment recently - it's about a 12-minute drive; the bus route planner indicated the fastest time on transit was over an hour. Maybe Hamilton needs to re-evaluate its bus routes given that the city has changed dramatically over the years?
• I was driving back from a meeting this afternoon in TO; the 401 has carpool lanes now. The left-hand lane is saved for cars with more than one person in them - I'm good with this plan! Yes, it meant that I was sitting in traffic while commuters were zooming past, but if I had to drive that route every day, it would convince me to carpool as much as possible!
• The weather this year has been really odd - and dramatic. Cool summer, then a few stinking hot days, a really wet and rainy fall. Hmmm, think perhaps mother earth is trying to reject the being that's killing her? Go Gaia!

Anyway - that's enough for now. I'll rant again soon... no more long gaps.