As 2005 Comes to an End... These days the news media tries to capture and review the big stories of this year past. And certainly this has been a year of tradegy and sudden death in many parts of the world. Earthquakes, Tsumani, Hurricanes, War -- Disaster after disaster! It is hard to imagine the pain and human suffering that these things have caused.

In our family there have been lots of challenges but lots of accomplishments.

- Wilda and I have spent most of the year in Weyburn as we have served the church in Intentional Interim leadership. It has been a good time with great progress through a transitional period. Tomorrow the name of the couple who are invited to visit January 7 - 8 will be announced.

- Dave and Lisa moved into a new and much larger home in order to accomodate the needs of their growing family.

- James and Maura are expecting! James also has been invited to be a partner in the Law firm when he works. Congratulations!

- Brett and Jennie are in an extremely busy time in their lives as they and their kids are involved in a lot of activities. Brett has just started a new job with the Health Region -- Executive Director of Mental Health and Addictions for the northeastern part of the province.

Looking back, for us, it has been a good year in our family. God's hand has been upon each of us -- even through the loss of a close brother (Wilda's brother, Glen.)  ¶ 3:06 PM 0 comments

  Up For the Challenge...
Daniel and Ben have taken quite an interest in the game of chess. Here they are just beginning a new game.

Daniel is in Grade 1 and Ben is in Kindergarten but they are up to the challenge of the game.  ¶ 4:49 PM 2 comments

  Of course, I cannot leave out...

...our three grandaughters!

Here are Emma, Anna and Jayne. Emma and Jayne are sisters, Jayne being the one who does not have a cousin her age. However they found ways to keep themselves entertained. For Jayne it was a good chance to do some shopping and cash in some of the money gifts or gift certificates that she received.  ¶ 6:55 PM 0 comments

  Seven grandsons

Here are our seven grandsons who were together for Christmas celebrations in Brandon over the past few days.

On Tuesday evening the four oldest ones along with their fathers and grandfather attended a hockey game between Brandon Wheat Kings and Regina Pats. Ben and Joe live in Regina and so were cheering for the Pats. Daniel is an avid Wheat Kings fan. However, when James bought them each a horn -- there was lots of noise no matter who was scoring a goal or making a good play!

The Wheat Kings won the game 6 - 2.  ¶ 6:42 PM 0 comments

  Merry Christmas! Well, the day has arrived and what an awesome chance to say "Merry Christmas" to each person who stumbles across this blog.

Today, at Weyburn Free Methodist Church we have a 11:00 a.m. worship time -- which is intended to be a little shorter than normal. Last evening there was a full house for the Christmas Eve service. It is so good to see families together for the holiday.

This afternoon Wilda and I will drive over to Brandon to Dave and Lisa's. They are hosting the whole family for a Christmas celebration tomorrow. It will be great to see everyone and to be together again.

Trusting that your day is filled with joy and peace and that the reality of Christ coming to us will be your experience.

Merry Christmas!  ¶ 9:38 AM 1 comments

  An Intimite Moment with Mary and Joseph by Ken Gire


A scream from Mary knifes through the calm of the silent night.
Joseph returns, breathless, water sloshing from the wooden bucket. The top of the baby's head has already pushed its way into the world. Sweat pours from Mary's contorted face as Joseph, the most unlikely midwife in all Judea, rushed to her side.

The involuntary contractions are not enough, and Mary has to push with all her strength, almost as if God were refusing to come in the world without her help.
Joseph places a garment beneath her and with a final push and a long sigh, her labor is over.

The Messiah has arrived.

Elongated head from the constricting journey through the birth canal. Light skin, as the pigment would take days for even weeks to surface. Mucus in his ear and nostrils. Wet and slippery from the amniotic fluid. The son of the most High God umbilically tied to a lowly Jewish girl.

The baby chokes and coughs. Joseph instinctively turns him over and clears his throat

Then he cries.

Mary bares her breast and reaches for the shivering baby. She lays him on her chest and his helpless cries subside. His tiny head bobs around on the unfamiliar terrain. This will be the first thing the infant-king learns. Mary can feel his racing heartbeat as he gropes to nurse.

Deity nursing from a young maiden's breast. Could anything be more puzzling or more profound?  ¶ 11:10 AM 0 comments

  Getting ready for Christmas... For some reason I have been very unmotivated at work this week. It is probably a bit of a wind-down from the pace of the past several weeks -- but it is Christmas.

Here at Weyburn Free Methodist we are going against the trends and having services both on Saturday evening and Sunday morning -- only one each time!

I've read a lot of the banter about the churches that cancel the Sunday services so that families can be together. I just think we can offer options on both days -- and let people close which fits best into their family plans.

Following the Sunday service Wilda and I will drive over to Brandon to begin a little stretch of time with our family. We will all be together on Monday and Tuesday.  ¶ 11:34 AM 0 comments

  Seniors and Church Leadership A recent posting on our denomination's listserve for pastors, written by a retired pastor, was very critical of a lot of things that define who we are as a movement. In a 'not too subtle way' this man was longing for the good old days with its structures, conferences and methods of ministry.

This same brother has engaged in these same challenges with some of the emerging leaders over and over again. His tone is critical and condescending.

While I am a little younger that the man I am writing about -- I too am a senior in the church. (I have my Saskatchewan pin to prove it!) I recognize that another difference is that I am still actively involved in the leadership of a local church.

As I read the listserve exchanges I often think -- I hope I never get bitter and angry like that. I hope I can be open to change and changes that need to happen in the dynamic of anything that is alive and growing. I hope I can empower new leaders to lead their way.

This is my attitude. I will give 100% during my time of opportunity -- and then I will pass the leadership privilege over to those who are coming into the responsibility of leadership.

Here is the test. I am almost at that point. On January 7 - 8, 2006 a couple selected by a very wonderful Pastoral Leadership Task Force will be in Weyburn to meet with leaders and the congregation. Soon after that it is anticipated that a recommendation for appointment will be made.

Please check my attitude in a few months' time to see if I am living up to my word!  ¶ 9:44 AM 1 comments

  This is my Aunt Vera. . .

Aunt Vera is the most remarkable person I know. While her health and memory is failing somewhat at age 94, she is a person who continues to be connected to her family -- no matter what part of the world they live in.

She phones us often -- as we do her. Often when we talk she has already been talking to her late husband's children in Taiwan or Costa Rica.

Aunt Vera was a school teacher in Ontario and she still gives me a very satisfying "reaction" when I tease her about how much Mike Harris helped the teachers there during his time as Premier of the province.  ¶ 4:12 PM 2 comments

  Twinkle Tour in Weyburn
Tonight is the Twinkle Tour in Weyburn -- an evening when residents view the Christmas lights in all parts of the city. Weyburn Free Methodist Church participates by having a live nativity display. Here are several from the congregation attempting to make the story of Christ's coming alive to those who drive past.
Fortunately the temperature has begun to moderate -- fortunate for the participants and for those who drop by.  ¶ 7:50 PM 0 comments

  The lazy blogger...
So much has been happening over the past several weeks that I have taken the lazy way out and neglected this blog.

One of the distractions from the blog has been the death of my brother-in-law, Glen Cole. Glen died of a heart attack the day before my birthday. Wilda and I took a week off from responsibilities here at Weyburn in order to spend time with the family and -- as it turned out -- conduct Committal and Memorial Services to honor his memory, and through our memories bring honor to God.

Glen lived a life of faith and faithfulness. He kept strong connections with family members and old friends and had a routine of stopping in on them regularly. Those visits will be missed.  ¶ 11:24 AM 0 comments