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Mainline decline: Lessons from church history
Kevin Flatt
What’s going on in the mainline Protestant churches in this country? The recent news that an Anglican priest offered communion to a dog is only the latest (see story on page 8), and perhaps the most bizarre, in a series of developments that can leave the rest of us shaking our heads. We hear of bishops blessing same-sex unions, hymnal editors removing references to the blood of Jesus, and pastors denying that God answers our prayers. >>>More
No consensus on the census
Harold Alkema
OTTAWA, Ontario – The recent federal government’s proposal to scrap the mandatory long-form census has drawn fire from most of the provinces and territories. Only Alberta has decided to reserve judgement until more information is available. The other provinces have stated that they are deeply concerned about the impact that a voluntary long-form census could have on essential social programs such as housing, education, transit and the delivery of French language services. Without the demographic data provided by the census, it may become more difficult for both levels of government to project the level of demand in these vital areas >>>More
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 I got rhythm
Curt Gesch
“I Got Rhythm,” wrote Ira Gershwin to brother George’s tune. I’m pretty sure that the Gershwins had syncopation in mind, or maybe hemiola (told that he used a lot of hemiola, jazz composer Dave Brubeck is supposed to have replied that the term sounded like a rare blood disease suffered by Spanish royalty). Or, maybe they just had in mind music with “swing” – in which straight eighth notes are played as if they were dotted and flagged or triplets.
Say “rhythm” and lots of people think of hip-hop dancers or the television show, So You Think You Can Dance. Others think of West African drummers. >>>More
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 Will we accept rejection
Kenny Warkentin
The other day my wife and I were talking about gender identity and how to support those who continue to connect with us.
A statement that we often hear is “I do not feel safe to talk about my struggle at my Church,” or, “they don’t understand my issue.”
Interestingly enough those statements resounded in my own heart as comments that I had used years earlier in my struggle with same gender attraction. I hid within the confines of those statements in fear that I would be rejected and tossed out of the Church, or worse, that those in the Church would just ignore me. >>>More
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