UPDATE ON SERVICES AT CARLETON MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH Friends of Carleton Memorial, due to the recent unfolding COVID-19 situation in Ottawa, and that our building is a high traffic space (hundreds walk through everyday), we are cancelling all upcoming services and events starting today and until further notice. Please monitor our website and [...]
I was at the pub the other day and I met B. It started as a mindless conversation. It finished on a much different note. B - that’s his nickname - has had a long career as a mechanic with the Canadian Military. It’s clear to me that he has paid a [...]
The watches you see belonged to my grandfather (left - with a new strap) and my father (right). They now belong to me. One day they will belong to one of my sons. What is amazing to me is that these vintage watches still keep good time - even though they are wind-up [...]
The other day, I was in a discussion with one of our Carleton Memorial groups that meets monthly. We were talking about whether or not the “proofs for God” were useful, in a practical sense. The short answer was “maybe”. But the actual answers are not the point. The process to get to the [...]
There is a Jewish tradition of leaving an empty chair for the prophet Elijah at the Passover meal - known as a Seder. It involves a cup of wine, a message of liberation and redemption and the returning of Elijah to his people. A Seder meal also is rich in tradition and the [...]
Forgive me for writing a community-centric blog. It’s just that I am so proud to be serving the churches I serve. (Sometimes on Sunday, when I pray with choir, I leave my mic on so everybody get’s an inside look at the choir, who consistently deliver in the background. It's a humble form [...]
Does church make a difference? Does it have it applications in the real world? Is it worth your time even? Consider yourself encouraged to attend our upcoming sermon series that - yes - will be worth your time. This series is about how we walk - both physically and spiritually - and how [...]
Unbutu is a southern African philosophy that says that we become people through other people. Never in my lifetime have these words seemed so far off, and not because they come from Africa. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be negative. But it’s true. Ours is a very self-centered society. Collectively, our hearts [...]
This is the first week I can say that I have felt like myself for a while. It’s not like that isn’t normal. Losing two parents in five months has been a lot to process. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to me and my family. It has [...]
Have you ever felt like that person singing in the choir who doesn’t clue in that it’s not the choir singing off key, it’s them? Or being the one person who’s marching off time wondering why everybody else has got it wrong?I must say, there are days when I feel like that person. And, [...]
