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In the Community

UC Chimes: Ice storm

A few weeks ago a severe ice storm hit the Great Toronto Area (GTA), and it have left millions of dollars in property damage. Myriads of trees were broken down and thousands of residences suffered an extended power outage.

Retreat and reflect

This week I packed my suitcase, stocked a small cooler with food, gathered up my laptop along with a pile of printed notes and then I left. After months of waffling I'd finally made the decision to head out of town.

The God we can't control and church unity

A few years back Paul Yongi Cho, pastor of the largest church in the world spoke to God, "I will go anywhere to preach the gospel except Japan." He hated the Japanese because of what they had done to the Korean people during World War 11.

When the journey gets long

Prairie dwellers blest with the luxury of wide open spaces may find it difficult to understand the geographic limitations of living beside the ocean.

Upon whom the Spirit descends and remains

Lately I have been reflecting on the great truths of Christmas, of Christ's coming. There appear to me areas of truth to explore and one of them is the fact of history that God becomes human and reveals His love for us.

You know it's New Years when . . .

If I didn't already know that Christmas 2013 is over and gone, it wouldn't take a divine revelation to figure it out. In fact, there is plenty of evidence to prove that one year has retreated into history and a new one has appeared to take its place.

On the twentieth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

"I wish it could be Christmas everyday" sang the British rock band Wizzard forty years ago. More recently Kenny Rogers sang, "Keep the spirit in your heart / And it's Christmas everyday".

A diamond out of Africa for the new year

In her song "Diamond in My Hand" Molly Johnson says, "I have found a jewel in this rocky land / Held it in my hand and turned it all around." Perhaps the diamond is an adequate metaphor for the gift of Nelson Mandela to our world.

All part of the family

I admit that my attention was somewhat divided in the early part of this morning's church service.

A woman, a child and Christmas

Everyone loves a Christmas story. We know the main ingredients: a woman, a child and a miracle of joy. The following is a true story: It was Christmas Eve when a man entered the blue door of Madonna House. He was thin, hunched over and very cold.