As we "begin" to move past the pandemic, this episode marks the final in a series entitled Sense and Spirituality. I say a fond farewell and thank you for listening over the past year. I also invite you to consider how you can mark Canada Day this year in a way that is respectful of our Indigenous siblings and new Canadians. And finally, a word of thanks to Dave Buckley for his faithful, cheerful and caring service as our Interim Music Director during a difficult time. Dave will be leaving us at the end of August.

Today we give thanks for the many ways Jen Prince has enriched our ministry at Siloam for the past several years and we wish her well on her continued journey. A true servant of God, she will be a blessing wherever she serves!

Why is racism so hard to root out and what can we do about it? Please listen as we explore this challenging and crucial question together! 

Psychologists and sociologists believe that prejudices have their roots in emotional biases formed in the very earliest years of childhood. But even in the face of the egregious events of the last two weeks, there is reason for Canadians to have hope. Empathy, tolerance, acceptance and inclusivity can be learned.

The news out of Kamloops, B.C. on May 28th and , more recently, the tragic hate crime in London, Ontario, demand our prayerful response. But how do we begin to address such egregious wrongs? Today's message is just an attempt. Just a very small step. Just a start.

The great African American poet, Maya Angelou, proclaims that the exquisiteness of love has the power to "set us free" and "to liberate us into life." Yet, while "love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls", it is not without pain. In Christ God too knew how costly and painful is "Love's Exquisite Freedom."

At various points in our life God invites us to re-invent ourselves and re-purpose the gifts and talents God has given us. Today I pay tribute to a man who has done this all his life: Rev. Wib Dawson.

Jesus was one of the most emotionally intelligent persons who ever lived. His example can help us to build greater emotional intelligence in our own lives, helping us to create happier lives and more stable communities where head and heart work together in harmony.

If you are struggling in your family life this year as a result of COVID-19,  or if you are facing other challenges that make this a very complicated holiday for you, know that there is help. Know also that even Jesus and his family faced challenges and that Mary too suffered profound hurt at the hands of her son.

A recent viewing of the film "The Trial of the Chicago Seven" (initially the Chicago Eight) offers a farcical and frightening picture of American justice in the late 1960's, how far we have come, and how very far we still need to go!