Sun. Oct. 28, 2012 (Janice Kreider)

Janice Kreider spoke about the courage of the early Anabaptists in leaving the established churches; they were convinced their new faith was the right one. Using the Martyr's Mirror, as well as a summary of Anabaptist convictions developed at a Pasadena conference in 2006 and the writings of theologian Norman Kraus, Janice focused on the core convictions of Anabaptists. Kraus identified them as:

1. Chirsto-centric spirituality. The focus was not only on Jesus sacrificial death, but on Jesus whole life as a model for us. 
2. Obedience. Discipleship, following Jesus’ teachings.  
3. The beatitudes. A guide for dealing radically with various situations. 
4. Non-violent confrontation. The church should be in dynamic tension with society; there should be an energetic confrontation. 
5. Gemeinnutzlichkeit (loosely translated as beneficial to the community). The early Anabaptists formed strong local communities.

The accounts of martyrdom in the Martyr’s Mirror end in 1671; an updated supplement is being planned. Janice left us with two questions: who are the martyrs today? How strong are our beliefs? [HN]

Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 28th, 2012 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 21, 2012 (Rose Mewhort)

On October 21st, Rose Mewhort told her life story. In the 1970s, at the age of 21 and as a nun in The Sisters of Charity, Rose took up residence with other nuns in their convent, which later (1986) became The Menno Simons Centre. She worshiped daily in the convent's Our Lady's Chapel or attended Mass at other locations, depending on the availability of priests. Her order was known for its excellence in teaching, which is why the sisters in Halifax had been invited to Vancouver by the city's Archbishop. Rose, however, became a nurse, learning the profession from the Sisters of Providence at their St Paul's Hospital,. These non-unionized sisters were required to work 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week. During her decades with the Sisters of Charity, thinking within Catholicism began to change, allowing nuns to don modest modern dress and interact more freely with society. At the convent (where we now worship), they like to operate on the community rather than hierarchical model. But as medical procedures increasingly came into conflict with her theological upbringing, Rose found herself severely conflicted within, and finally needed to explore leaving her semi-cloistered community. One night, she had a dream in which she knew how to paint, so she decided to test the dream, bought paints, studied painting and became an accomplished artist (several of her works were displayed in the chapel). After 25 years of nursing, she simply burned out (at 12 hours a day without fail). She undertook a Ph.D., defending her thesis entitled "Spirituality and Aging", of which we definitely want to hear more. She tried to return to the Sisters of Charity, but their keen sense of orderliness did not mesh with her more free personality. She was eventually invited to Mayne Island where she met Canada's first woman to be ordained as a Catholic priest. (Technically, all such priests are excommunicated, yet many remain faithful to Catholicism, though not espousing its archaic rulings concerning gender roles, etc.) Rose was called by friends to receive ordination as a Catholic deacon, which she accepted (and was of course then excommunicated). Catholic priests like Rose wish to work with people who are excluded from the Catholic Church, yet wish to identify with the best in Catholicism rather than switch to Protestantism. Rose's talk was heartening, inspiring, and practical. Over the years, PGIMF has had its bouts with officialdom, particularly when officials appear to be acting with presumed apostolic authority. To some of us, Rose's story was easily understood. [JEK]

Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 21st, 2012 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 14, 2012 (Santosh Ninan)

On October 14th, we enjoyed having Santosh Ninan return to speak on the Epistle reading from the day's Lectionary, Romans 12:1-8. Modern popular books trumpet the news that each of us has special gifts to enjoy, cultivate and use. It's a pity these authors ignore Paul's writing which said the same thing, but much better, centuries ago. In various letters, Paul took the trouble to identify special gifts individuals might have but may have possibly ignored or downplayed, even though they could be important for the ultimate success of their house church. But before we try identifying what we may suspect are our gifts, Paul advises us to be transformed most unusually, sort of like becoming a 'living sacrifice' to God and each other (Paul never shied away from strong statements). Unlike today's popular writers advising on acquiring money through the bond market, stocks or real estate, Paul asks that if we have a gift for acquiring money, we have to use this gift to help others (and he possibly meant "other believers"). We should not just work hard to get ahead at a job and acquire status, but any status or influence which is given to us is useful to God only if used to help others, and so it goes. Each gift that Paul identified was important only if it was put to use in ways which benefited the little house church. Santosh cited Mary's total acquiescence to the angel's ridiculous request. Mary did not understand the request (for obvious reasons), even after asking for clarification, but she sensed that her new role was not that to serve her family but, in some yet unknown way, to serve God. Paul's letter to the house church at Rome always assumed that serving God was not something done in isolation, but it had to happen as a member of a thriving faith community. [JEK]

Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 14th, 2012 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 7, 2012 (Thanksgiving)

J. Evan Kreider led us in a service of readings, prayers and songs for Thanksgiving (recording available to borrow on CD, not available for download).