The Burning Bush

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston Spring 2015

From the Minister’s Desk…

God fills both chronos and kairos time, of course. I am treasuring this quiet Sunday evening in the Johnston home. As I sit in our living room, I am enjoying hearing the tick-tock of a wall clock that now hangs on the other side of the room. It is a family heirloom, beautiful rosewood inlaid with intricately carved steel flourishes and a wonderfully solid brass mechanism and pendulum. My mother was left this clock by her beloved Godmother, and she brought it across the Atlantic many decades ago in a suitcase to hang in the dining room of the home in Hamilton. Now it has journeyed here to Kingston, and its presence fills me with memories of many family gatherings past, reminds me of the heritage of the generations that now is mine, and invites me to recognize the fullness of these days. In the Greek language of the New Testament, there are two words for 'time'. One is 'chronos', the time that is measured by minutes, hours, days and years, from which we receive words like 'chronology'. The other is 'kairos', the time that is less quantitative and more qualitative, time that may be short in terms of duration but deep in terms of emotion and understanding, the time when everything suddenly comes together and a decision is made or an action is finally taken.

We have seen this in Jesus Christ, how God entered these days with the presence and promises of eternity. We know this by the movement of the Holy Spirit amongst us now - as I sit here listening to the clock tick, I feel my heart restored, my strength renewed. It is wonderful how this issue of the Burning Bush will cover three great seasons of worship - Lent (re-turning to God), Easter (celebrating God's great love for us) and Pentecost (enjoying new life). Andrew Johnston

All time is God's time. Thanks be to God. Included in this issue From the Minister’s Desk Christmas Season Family Album Notes From the Editor Sharing Perspectives From the Greater Christian Community Sir John A. MacDonald Celebration Martyrdom of Coptic Christians In Remembrance Forgiveness: An Article by Rose Deshaw Christian Journey Series News From the Presbyterian Church of Canada Cairn Family Camps Church Family Photo Albums Bible Crossword Puzzle The Lighter Side of Saints Album of Prayerful Meditations Advertising Policies of Burning Bush Back Cover: St. Andrew’s Stained Glass Windows

Christmas Season Family Album….

Gavin, Lindsay and Olivia with the bells

John Hall with Family

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Notes From the Editor…

About Freedom It was a sunny but crisp wintry day in January. Being warmly dressed as I was, the temperature, hovering around minus ten degrees Celsius, seemed tolerable. I walked briskly along that downtown sidewalk and my spirits were high. And then I saw him. He was sitting in a storefront doorway shivering, his knees drawn up. He wore a light jacket and his head was enshrouded in an oversize toque. He did not look up at me as I passed and guiltily, for that, I was grateful. My mind was in a whirl, even as I increased the pace of my walk. I ruefully thought to myself, that here was a picture of true freedom. Free from paying household bills, free from filing income tax forms, free from all obligations. This man, free from all that complicates our daily lives, is free to struggle daily simply to survive. I thought of the seagulls hovering about the same streets, also

seemingly so free. Free to search constantly for food.

free, free to choose, if God also was in control?

I thought of the song, “Me and Bobby McGee,” (Kris Kristofferson) “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” Nothing left to lose. Is that what it means to be truly free?

It was the liturgy used by our pastor prior to Communion, that gave me the assurance for which I had been looking.

“…and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free” John 8:32. NRSV.

It was the word “may” that had caught my attention. The concept of being free to choose, being given permission, so to speak, to choose wisely in Christ, was what I had found to be so appealing and novel. Not responding well to being pushed, I do nevertheless respond well to a gentle leading by God’s Holy Spirit.

This scripture verse, denoting spiritual freedom through Christ, is quoted liberally in the secular world, as meaning, instead, freedom from consequences. I am not a new Christian. I am, however, relatively new to the Presbyterian approach to faith in Christ. Having grown up in a more legalistic environment, I had to give the Reformed concept of spiritual freedom versus God’s Sovereignty, some thought. At first it seemed oddly contradictory. Could I be truly

“Come… not because you must, but because you may;”

And lest I worry that this free will of mine might encroach on God’s absolute sovereignty in my life, I am reminded by Proverbs 19:21 (NRSV) that “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.” Selah!

Ada Mallory, Editor ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The Nature and Purpose of Confessions in the Presbyterian Church Many people are confused by talk of “confessing,” confessions,” and “confessional” churches. Both inside and outside the church confession is ordinarily associated with admission of wrongdoing and guilt: criminals “confess” that they have committed a crime: famous people write “true confessions” about their scandalous lives; persons visit a ‘confessional’ to tell of their sin. In Christian tradition, however, confession has an earlier, more positive sense. To confess means openly to affirm, declare, acknowledge or take a stand for what one believes to be true. The truth that is confessed may include the admission of sin and guilt, but is more than that. When Christians make a confession, they say, “This is what we most assuredly believe and regardless of the opposition, rejection, or persecution that may come to us for taking this stand.” From Major Themes in the Reformed Tradition, edited by Donald K. McKim. Section 29.113.

The Burning Bush Presents a New Section…

Sharing Perspectives … welcomes articles and statements of opinion reflecting responsible concern for relevant issues. None of these article and opinion columns are to be regarded as official statements of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston or the Presbyterian Church of Canada (PCC). The columns of the periodical shall also be open to those who hold cogent and responsible opposing opinions but the Burning Bush Editor, in consultation with the Pastor, shall exercise final judgment on which expressions shall be given space within the publication. In all matters, the concept of “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4) must prevail. Please forward all articles of perspective to the Burning Bush Editor, Ada Mallory, by email, [email protected], or by hard copy to the church office in an envelope directed to the Editor. All letters must contain the writer’s name, address and telephone number and/ or an email address where you can be reached. The Editor reserves the right to edit, shorten or reject letters.

Change? “…there will be people asking the Assembly to consider the place of homosexuals in our church.

Some will say this discussion is long overdue. Others will say it will mean the end of the church as we know it.” A friend of mine was minister of an old church in downtown Montreal. A leak in the roof made repairs necessary. It also meant the ceiling, badly stained, would have to be repainted. A member of the church didn’t like this. The minister said, “But there were fifty years of grime on that ceiling!” The member replied, “But Dr. M., we liked our grime.” Looking back over fifty six years in ministry, the one constant I see is change. The church now is far different from the church fifty six years ago. For the most part the changes have been positive. In 1950 I joined St. James Presbyterian church in Winnipeg. After months of classes we were judged ready to make our profession of faith, and take communion for the first time. No card, no communion. A number of years later I was visiting a little country church in Nova Scotia. It was communion Sunday. Visitors were encouraged to take communion. Some of the elders were women. And they were actually serving communion to young children. That would not have happened in my home church in 1950! Women elders? Children at Communion?

In 1958, now an ordained minister, I attended my first presbytery meeting. On the agenda was a paper entitled, “The Place of Women in the Church”. The all male Presbytery was asked to consider if women should be ordained as elders and ministers. There were many who felt that might be too much change. But the church prayed, talked, considered, and in 1966 decided. The women I ordained as elders soon after were a blessing to our congregation. A few years later I shared in the ordination of a minister- my own sister. When the General Assembly of our church meets in Vancouver this year, there will be people asking the Assembly to consider the place of homosexuals in our church. Some will say this discussion is long overdue. Others will say it will mean the end of the church as we know it. Those reactions are reminiscent of the debates around the ordination of women. My suggestion is that there is no reason for concern. With prayer and the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church has the spiritual gifts it needs to make decisions both pleasing to God and loving towards neighbours….

Ralph Kendall ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Note: St. Andrew's will be giving an "in house" presentation about the overtures (concerning this subject) that are coming to the General Assembly in June. This will be an event at which two different perspectives would be offered by folks from outside the congregation. This will not include a debate.

Received From the ‘Greater Christian Community’;

Straight From the Heart The love we shared, The children we raised through good times and bad, The romance of your unspoken ways Brought us closer together, Has taught me plenty about life, And now that you are gone And as I aspire to have some of your wit and courage And now that I am left to carry on, I live out my remaining years Your memory keeps me vibrant and alive. Happy in the knowledge In the heat of summer, I tend to your garden You are always by my side, For I know you would have wanted it that way, And when my time is nigh, I will fear not The radiant beauty of the flowers and For your love will guide me The gentle raindrops on my face To a special place in our heart where the waters are Remind me of you. clean, In the dead of winter, The air is fresh, and the petals never fall off the bloom, I stand out in the cold feeding your feathered friends And when I embrace you in my arms Holding out my hand like you held it out to me. I will whisper in your ear how much I love you. ……………………………………………………………………………………… This poem, Straight From the Heart, was written as an expression of faith, hope, and true love for one another as we journey through life. Our paths may have been arduous at the best of times, as we stumbled many times along the way, but ‘our yoke was light’. This poem is also about thanksgiving and the relationship we share with God as we continue in our quest to be the person God wants us to be.

by John Sikora

St. Andrew’s United Church Kingston

From the Editor… I admit to being delighted when I meet people who, like myself, have a passion for writing. Or when I receive a document that is exceptionally well written. But all people who write well have learned basic grammatical and structural rules, or guidelines, if you wish, that help give clarity to the thoughts they wish to express. So I present to you now

“How to Write Good” The following are ‘fumblerules”-mistakes that actually call attention to the rule:  Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.  No sentence fragments.  It behooves us to avoid archaisms.  Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.  Don’t use no double negatives.  If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: Resist hyperbole.  Avoid commas, that are not necessary.  Verbs has to agree with their subjects.  Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.



Writing carefully, dangling participles should not be used.  Kill all exclamation points!!!  Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.  Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.  Take the bull by the hand, and don’t mix metaphors.  Don’t verb nouns.  Never, ever use repetitive redundancies. Last but not least, avoid clichés like the plague

From the book Fumblerules by William Safire. Published by Doubleday.

The Worship That Shaped the Man Who Shaped the Nation Sir John A. was raised in St. Andrew’s Kingston. On the day of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Canada’s first Prime Minister, we gathered in this sanctuary and explored the 17th century Scottish metrical Psalms that figured so prominently in Presbyterian worship of his time, and we sang them again as they were sung then… led by a Precenter with a tuning fork (and supported by the choir!). We lingered for a time afterwards and enjoyed a demonstration by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in St. Andrew’s Hall, and Scottish nibbles in the Manse, and more! To complete the evening, The Salon Theatre’s “Sir John, eh? The Road Show” was enacted in St. Andrew’s Hall by the Salon Acting Company. The show focused on Sir John A.’s formative years in and around Kingston and introduced an assortment of original songs, scenes, and characters.

All in all, a spectacular evening. Very well attended, but even more, so very well enjoyed!

“ Let us be English or let us be French… but above all let us be Canadians.” John A. MacDonald

Paul Dyck (portraying Sir John A.) with Andrew

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Kingston

St. Andrew's Manse

The Salon Theatre's "Sir John, eh? The Road Show"

Eva and Jack Barnes of the Heritage Ambassadors of Kingston portraying Allan MacPherson and Mary Fisher of Napanee, older cousins of Sir John A.. John Hall at the piano.

Martydom of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians Two rows of men walked the shore of the sea On a day when the world's tears would run free One a row of assassins, who thought they did right The other of innocents, true sons of the light One holding knives in hands held high The other with hands empty, defenceless and tied One row of slits to conceal glaring, dead eyes The other with living eyes raised to the skies One row stood steady, pall-bearers of death The other knelt ready, welcoming heaven’s breath One row spewed wretched, contemptible threats The other spread God-given peace and rest A question, - Who fears the other? The row in orange watching paradise open? Or the row in black with minds evil and broken?

We have listened to the news with shock of the 21 Egyptian Christians who have been murdered by ISIS. Ramez Atallah, who heads the Bible League of Egypt has sent us updates on how the Christians of Egypt are responding.

"As I arrived at the Bible Society's office the next morning , feeling sad and depressed, I met a young co-worker who told me that she was 'very encouraged'. I could not imagine what on earth could encourage her! I am encouraged, she said, because now I know that what we have been taught in history books about Egyptian Christians being martyred for their faith is not just history but that there are Christians today who are brave enough to face death rather than deny their Lord. I realized that the Gospel message can still help us hold on to the promises of God, even when facing death." Hebrews 11 still rings true. The message of God's gospel must be shared with the world, despite the cost. We walk with Him as we support those who work in far off lands. We also walk with Him as we share it with those we rub shoulders with, day by day. Within 3 days of the tragedy, over a million tracts were printed and are being distributed all over Egypt. The contents of the tract are translated here.

Which Row Will Prevail? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (Romans 8: 35-39) Contributed by Bob Stevenson, Missions Committee, Bay Park Baptist Church

Which Row Pleases God? Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:28, 32-33

In Remembrance And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

MacNab Street Presbyterian Church, Hamilton

My sons were abused as choirboys, but I had to forgive the church…. Incense was wafting, organ music playing and a choir up front shuffling their feet. I paused at the huge oak doors, twice as tall as I was. “Are you a visitor?” a young usher with a hymnbook asked. “No. I’m here for the last time,” I said firmly. He looked worried. I moved aside so that the woman who accompanied me could come closer. “There was a CBC video called The Choirmaster? About the abuse of choirboys here in the cathedral?” I said. “Two of those boys were my sons.” “Yes,” he said softly. “I remember.” “Last week, I heard someone say: ‘Without memory there is no healing; without forgiveness there is no future,’” I continued. “Since I haven’t been able to forget those words, I’ve come to forgive the church.” I didn’t expect he’d understand, but he nodded and moved away. I reminded myself to stop talking like a visiting dignitary when I was just another mother, letting go of the bitterness washed up like driftwood on my inner shores. My friend came up behind me with her walker. For her, this journey was still beginning. She had been abused for years by a priest in another setting. She was doing the unthinkable by accompanying me

here today. But when I told her what I was going to do, she said I wasn’t going to do it alone. I hadn’t imagined myself here, doing it at all, until about a week earlier, when I first heard the quote. Shortly after, I was walking by another downtown church of a different denomination. The building’s doors were being blocked by sleeping homeless people. On the lawn, a man in a business suit was picking up debris. “What are you going to do about the street people when service starts?” I asked him cynically. He was just an ordinary parishioner who looked sort of like Gordon Jump on WKRP in Cincinnati. “I’m going to have to ask them to move,” he said, pausing to give me a level look. “You could pray for them,” I said, my words tarred with the scoffing of all the greats who dismissed organized religion. Voltaire, Marx, Bernard Shaw … Churches were irrelevant, hidebound, predatory. Agnosticism was the only true path for the intellectual. I felt their hot breath on my psyche as I waited for the man to brush me off. Instead, “I do pray for them,” he said, putting down his bag. “And I talk to them about how to find somewhere warm so they won’t get pneumonia and die this winter.”

Then he mentioned one or two by name about whom he was particularly concerned. I nodded, strangely moved by the passion in his voice. Years ago, I had grown up in a church filled with people like him who believed, who would have cared about people in the cold and never for a minute would have let a single choirboy be abused. Though of course I didn’t actually remember or even know every single person who attended. “Without memory there is no healing,” the quote said. The words had come just as something in me was realizing how absurd I was being to hate a corporate entity and extend that hatred to every other place of worship. While some were undoubtedly complicit, others may have wept over what went on. Which meant I had made a mistake. I had written publicly about what the church had done to me, many times. So what would forgiveness look like? I decided that only a public appearance at the main service of worship would suffice. “Without forgiveness, there is no future.” So here I was. It was All Saints Day and the bulletin listed all the regular old saints, and then some new ones, including Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela (who protested vehemently that he was not a saint), Martin Luther King (whose

life was not all saint stuff) and Oscar Peterson (Oscar Peterson?). “These are names of some in our times who have stood against evil,” a line of explanation read. “That’s us saints too, then!” I said to my friend, who had picketed her church as I had picketed this one, looking for truth. “We stood against evil as we knew it.” “I never saw it that way before,” she said. “But it’s true.”

and vestments, the dean at their head, slowly wound their way around the sanctuary. Then they came to a dead halt, right in front of me. The dean reached for my hand. “Welcome,” she said and gave me a long look. Then she turned back to the procession and the whole line moved on. I watched as they made their way up the aisle, not stopping anywhere else.

I could feel it, too. Something lived here that wasn’t anywhere else. I’ve gone back. Not to the cathedral, though it is now thoroughly forgiven. But to that other church where the homeless people sleep on the steps like lost children and an ordinary man acts out his faith, calling them by name.

Rose DeShaw attends St. The choir began to sing. My friend Andrew’s Presbyterian Church who had also been raised in the and is a new contributing writer. A processional started, and a line church touched my arm. “Oh, Reprinted with permission. of men and women wearing robes what we’ve missed!” she said. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Homeless Man Affected Large Part of the Community… Pat, who slept on the street, died last Sunday night of a heart attack at the Plaza Hotel. He had managed to come in from the cold for a few short nights. Some of those on the street think that suddenly having a warm room might have been the thing that killed him.

Rose DeShaw

Those who knew him best gave his age as 58 though he seemed a lot younger. I met him sitting cross legged on a bright blue sleeping bag in front of the closed down Odeon Theatre, but most of the time I saw him, it was on the Princess Street portico of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, across from Tim Horton’s on the corner of Clergy Street. Pat was a regular at various city venues whose mandate is to feed those in need, especially the Sunday night, “Special Meals,” at St. Andrew’s Kingston Street Mission. With his distinctive mop of black curly hair and beard and a penetrating voice with which he was never hesitant to speak up, he left an indelible impression on the street community.

“Pat was what you’d call ‘a solid individual’”, one woman said. “No pretense about him. He had a loving relationship with his stepdaughter and came from a family who cared about him.” Being good at being a thief is a thing of pride to those in prison but Pat, who according to some, had done federal time, renounced what many inside claim as their ‘profession’. “When I stopped stealing,” one of his friends quoted him as saying, “I began to receive real blessings in my life.” Everyone who knew him had a story about Pat’s generosity, how after he’d gotten his cheque and paid his bills, he gave money away freely. “And it always came back to him,” someone said, telling me about one time when Pat dropped a fifty dollar bill. “When I picked it up,” the man said, “Pat told me to keep it. I never forgot him doing that at a time when I really needed the money.” Pat seemed to embody in his later life what Henry Thoreau recommended for anyone who wished to be wise; ‘a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity and trust.’ Reprinted From Letters To The Editor by Rose DeShaw, Kingston Whig Standard, December 15, 2014 with permission.

Christian Journey Series… Their presence in St. Andrew’s caught my attention almost immediately. Five young adults sitting together in the front pew of the sanctuary…. And they seemed quite comfortable with this arrangement.

As quickly as they came, they left, scattered to various locations for their teaching placements. They had assured me they would be back, but I admit, I wondered.

I was impressed. I recalled my first time coming to St. Andrew’s less than a year prior to their initial visit, and I thought I had been brave choosing a pew a dozen or so rows back.

So I waited, and I quietly watched for their return. And return they did, to my great pleasure. Boldly, I asked if I might interview them as a group for The Burning Bush. I smile now to realize, at that moment, they probably had no idea what publication that might be…

But I digress. Eventually, I introduced myself to them and did my best to learn, and remember, at least their first names. And what a lovely group of young adults they turned out to be! Lovely, sincere and oh, so very open to the warmth and embrace of our St. Andrew’s family. They were all students of Kingston’s MacArthur College. Teachers in the making.

And what wonderful sports they turned out to be! On Sunday evening, January 25th of this year they came for a dinner in my home. The meal completed, we then sat around the table for a further two hours, while they shared with me their journeys, their quest for personal, educational, and yes, spiritual fulfillment. To my delight, at one point, they even broke out in song…

Matt Honsberger, Erik Streufert, Ian Paton Maria Bartholemew and Allison Dyjach

So now I introduce to you these wonderful young adult students, students who have so blessed my life with the authenticity of their individual and combined spirit. Editor

Matt Honsberger: Born in Waterloo and the youngest child in his family, admittedly he has always loved the spotlight. Sports were important to him as he grew older, but his involvement was limited. He learned to play the saxophone and guitar. As a young teen, Matt described himself as having been self absorbed, with popularity of great importance. It was, however, through consistent participation over several years at Cairn, a Presbyterian summer camp, and specifically the Leader In Training Program, that his personal and spiritual perspectives changed greatly. Matt eventually became a counsellor, then Leader and went from being self absorbed, to a young man who now thrived on fulfilling other people. Career aspirations growing up were not well defined, although a career as a social worker was a consideration. But again, it was a counsellor at summer camp that influenced him to consider teaching as a career since it incorporated all of his characteristics and gifts. As a child, then attending First United Church in Waterloo, he remembers being restless and

disinterested, only looking forward to the Children’s Hour. But as a teen, now having been confirmed at Knox Presbyterian Church Waterloo, however, Matt enjoyed Youth Group and contemporary praise music, all the while growing in faith. Eventually, he sang in a praise band with Allison Dyjach, also a member of this delightful group of five students. Matt, in summation, attributes the greatest influence in his journey of faith, not only to the self identifying aspects of camp, aspects that helped him become aware of his own God given unique identity, but to parents who were always supportive of him. And all while belonging to a community of faith that allowed him to question, step back, and then return to grow stronger in his own faith. Matt has come far from being the self absorbed teenager, and God’s transformation of his life is nowhere more evident than by the number of lives influenced by his personal and spiritual maturity. Matt is fulfilled through God, and now God uses him to help others.

“For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 NRSV. This scriptural promise, so full of sublime encouragement to Christian union in action and prayer, is one which continues to comfort and guide Matt in his life today.

Allison Dyjach: It is hard to imagine that growing up with three older While Allison always had a sense of God drawing brothers, Allison could still have been a shy, quiet child, her to Himself, it was through a Youth Leader Program albeit blessed with a keen sense of humour, but that is in her early teens, that she established a serious how she has described herself. Close ties with her interest in her faith. Attendance at a Cairn summer father and brothers, and an even closer relationship camp, enhanced and strengthened Allison’s spiritual with her mother, provided her with the safe and life, and helped her to apply her faith in practical ways. nurturing environment of her growing years. The And apply she did. God transformed this shy and initiation of friendships did not come easily to her. awkward young girl into a spiritually mature and In spite of her early awkward social skills, or sensitive beautiful young lady, whose desire became to perhaps because of, Allison pursued the more creative serve Him by serving others. Her involvements during arts of dance, art, piano, crafts, choir and band. She her teen years reflect this, and include a mission trip to enjoyed high school overall and maintained good Winnipeg, helping out at Flora House, an inner city grades. mission (operated by the Presbyterian Church of Allison attended Knox Presbyterian Church in Canada) where emphasis is placed on creating a safe Waterloo regularly with her family. Her favourite parts place in the community, where the special needs of of the service were always the hymns, and she children and youth are nurtured and supported. And developed a deep appreciation for the beauty and while in Winnipeg, Allison assisted at Winnipeg Harvest, depth expressed within them. And even then, she sat in a food bank, working closely with the Aboriginal people. the front pews… Teaching has evolved into a natural calling for Allison, incorporating not only her God given gifts, but satisfying her desire to serve others in kindness and love. Allison particularly loves The Beatitudes from the book of Matthew, understanding well that true mercy towards others, comes first from God’s mercy to us. “Blessed are the merciful”.

Ian Paton: If Ian had been one of the apostles of Christ, he might have felt most closely aligned with Thomas, the Doubting One. While being somewhat busy, loud and mischievous as a child, as a teenager, Ian describes himself as always questioning things. Impatience set in when his questions were not answered to his satisfaction. Regarding church attendance during his growing years, Ian appreciated events in this safe environment, a place where people were genuinely interested in him as a person, but he disliked sermons that seemingly did not apply to his life. Church events did not interest him unless they were interactive. Outdoor activities always made Ian the happiest, and he aspired, growing up, to pursue this passion through teaching outdoor education. Spiritually, Ian admits that he was often easily influenced by those around him. But he felt empowered and safe when he attended Cairn summer camp. It was here that Ian met Matt Honsberger, his camp counsellor. Ian credits Matt with providing him with much needed positive and affirming spiritual influence. God transformed Ian through his subsequent seven years at Cairn and eventually Ian became a leader and counsellor himself. From needing steadfast role models, Ian became, in time, one for others. Ian still questions. It is part of who he truly is, and God will use that inclination to provide much needed understanding and support for others also so inclined. And as he continues to mature in his own faith, Ian is learning the importance of honoring and supporting others as they journey on the roads to their faith. Somewhat doubtful as to the future of the church, he still expresses hope for it once love is once again restored to its core and the spiritual focus returns to bringing people to spiritual maturity. The Parable of the Sower of Seeds speaks to Ian most personally, a parable which demonstrates that a man’s reception of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart. Ian’s prayer is that his faith and life may exemplify the “good” soil and that he may continue to grow in God. “But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit…” Matthew 13:23 NRSV

Erik Streufert: Erik, while born in Madison, Wisconsin, has the unusual his own asthmatic condition, changed his thoughts distinction of living in a different home almost every toward engineering and urban planning. Eventually, year as he was growing up. With his mother, a Foreign teaching seemed to incorporate all of his gifts and exchange Coordinator at a law school and father, a interests. university professor, living separated lives, Erik lived in, It was his yearly participation in a Mennonite amongst other places, India, England, New York and Summer camp, that provided Erik with the greatest California. steadfastness and spiritual influence during his growing He was a serious child who, by his own description, years. Eventually spending a total of 22 years in this thought he knew all the answers. With frankness, Erik camp, he became a counsellor, administer and director refers to having been a “nerd”, behaving awkwardly for one year. With God’s transforming power working in around people, but very interested and focused in his his life through Christian mentors and the strong studies and his great passion, music. Asthma limited community to which he belonged, Erik’s faith grew involvement with sports. steadily. No longer feeling he personally had all the Erik’s church background is Mainstream Mennonite answers, but learning to lean more on God, the desire and Lutheran. His favorite parts of church were always to help and serve Christ through serving others, the hymns, sung in harmony. Sermons were his least became his new focus, eventually culminating in an favorite part. He very much enjoyed the companionship eleven month service trip to Africa. of his Sunday School friends. And in spite of the fact that sermons were once the Growing up, Erik’s career aspiration was to become least liked part of church services, he now occasionally a zookeeper, often visiting California’s San Diego Zoo. preaches himself. But an intense dislike of the sight of blood, coupled with Erik’s personal spiritual theme is expressed in this, his favorite song by Richard Gillard, Will You Let Me Be Your Servant? “Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.”

Maria Bartholomew: Born to a military family in Ottawa and the oldest of four children, Maria lived mostly in the London area. Her siblings, with whom she is close, describe her, affectionately, as stubborn and ambitious. Maria clarifies, however, that she is merely persistent and goal oriented, inquisitive by nature and always interested in learning. She attended an Art School for five years and is very creative. Her friends describe her as having a spectacular singing voice. And in Maria’s own words, she has grown, in God’s liberating love, from being a somewhat conservative and legalistic teenager, to now being more open and much more non-judgmental. She has always had a passion to teach and inspire others, and becoming a teacher was a consistent aspiration. Maria’s growing years were greatly affected by her parents’ involvement with Navigators, a Christian para church that works alongside local churches in the discipling of Christians, enabling them to share their faith with others. The people who came through their home as a result of this ministry, coupled with Maria’s close relationship with her mother, whom Maria describes as “a most compassionate, kind and

intelligent person”, provided her with steadfast Christian influence. Maria grew up attending a United Church, one that had excellent community involvement and also a nondenominational Community Church, that was evangelical in nature. During her first year in university, she learned to appreciate the beauty of traditional, more liturgical, services through attending an Anglican church. But Maria maintains that her spiritual life was influenced mostly by her parents. There was a period in her life when she went through a period of questioning her faith. But it was precisely through this time, that she realized the importance of developing and leaning on her own personal faith. Three years ago, Maria became seriously ill with Lyme’s Disease. This very difficult time in her life had the positive effect of strengthening her faith in God. Deeply touched by people helping and supporting her through this time, she came to understand in a very real sense, the power of prayer and love.

Maria’s goals in life remain constant, but they are now tempered by her love for God, and reflected in her favorite song by Frances Havergal. Take My Life and Let It Be “Take my life and let it be/ Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days/ Let them flow in endless praise.” ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Editor’s Concluding comments: I trust I have not portrayed these young adults as having arriving at some state of spiritual perfection. Like all of us, as life presents its many challenges, their faith may very well be tested. Difficult circumstances may inspire despair, questioning. During our interview, Maria Bartholomew made the statement that God is able to bless and use us best when we are at the end of our rope. In our humanness, we are more inclined to feel blessed when all is well. My prayer for them (and perhaps for us all), is that they remember while God is there on their mountains, He is also the Rock in their valleys. Ada Mallory, Editor Universities represented by MacArthur students are as follows: Allison Dyjach: University of Guelph Matt Honsberger: Wilfred Laurier University Erik Streufert: University of Waterloo Ian Paton: Fleming College and Trent University Maria Bartholomew: Dalhousie University and University of Western Ontario

Respond with PWS&D to Malawi Floods February 2015 Without appropriate toilets, the risk of waterborne disease increases greatly. Heavy rain and floods in Malawi have swept many houses away and caused residents to leave their homes—more than 100,000 people have been displaced. A third of the country has been declared a disaster zone. As the waters have started to recede, PWS&D’s partners in Malawi have been coordinating with local communities to assess damage and the most immediate needs. People are in need of temporary shelter, basic food items, mosquito nets and sanitation supplies. At Mulanje Mission Hospital (MMH) in southern Malawi, over 2,200 houses and 3,000 toilets have been damaged. The loss of toilets in a flood zone is an urgent health priority—as proper health and sanitation practices are no longer possible, the risk of waterborne diseases rises quickly. The hospital has seen an increase in cases of severe

diarrhea and malaria, and is undertaking preventive measures to manage possible cases of cholera.

PWS&D is working with Mulanje Mission Hospital, local communities and village health workers on rebuilding 1,000 latrines in the hardest hit areas. For $35 a new toilet can be provided—a cement slab and tin roofing, together with locally made bricks will construct a new latrine. This will improve sanitation and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases for the most vulnerable families in the area. Your financial support will help bring relief to those suffering from ongoing flooding. You can make a donation to PWS&D through your church, mail a cheque to the office, donate online or call 1-800-6197301 x 291. Please mark donations as “Malawi floods.”

………………………………………………………………… PCC Statement on Aboriginal Spiritual Practice As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada comes to an end this June, a request has been made to the churches to respond to a concern that has been raised by survivors time and time again at hearings of the Commission. That concern is what the churches, who once told aboriginal children that their spiritual heritage was wrong and to be abandoned, are saying today about that traditional spiritual heritage. The statement is based on Our Confession (1994) and other material that has been part of our journey of healing and reconciliation. January 29, 2015 “It is not for The Presbyterian Church in Canada to validate or invalidate Aboriginal spiritualties and practices. Our church, however, is deeply respectful of these traditions. We acknowledge them as important spiritual practices through which Aboriginal peoples experience the presence of the creator God.”

The PCC Moderator Responds to Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Assisted-Death Christians have stood by the beds of the sick and the dying for two millennia. We sympathize profoundly with those who suffer and with their families and friends who share that suffering. We recognize that there are many circumstances involved in the painful decisions made by and for the dying. As Christians, Presbyterians believe that these decisions should not be made apart from the will of God. This has meant that for Presbyterians the ultimate decision, to take a life, does not rest with us as human persons. Until very recently, this was also the law of Canada. As Moderator of the 140th General Assembly and as a citizen of this blessed land, I call for a wide public debate, shared by Canadians of all backgrounds and professions, of all forms of education, of all religions and of none. I believe that this debate should not focus narrowly on the implementation of the recent Supreme Court decision but on the fundamental issues and convictions involved in the ending of a human life. February 20, 2015

Cairn is three Christian summer camp programs joined together by our Mission. We are owned and operated by the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda manages the day to day operations of our programs. Those are the basics; we’d like to encourage you to wander through our site and discover more of what makes us a unique and amazing camp experience for every one of our campers, staff members, families and volunteers.

OUR PROGRAMS Glen Mhor – a traditional summer camp program on Echo Lake in Muskoka. Glen Mhor has been operating for over 80 years. Iona – a wilderness camp program, also on Echo Lake, that focuses on small groups of campers living and working together in the woods. Iona also hosts all of Cairn’s wilderness trips. Presbyterian Music Camp Muskoka – a one-week family camp for people interested in developing their musical talent. PMC holds groups sessions for singers and musicians of all abilities. Presbyterian Music Camp runs the second last week of August at Camp Tamarack. Cairn’s Baysville Address: RR#1 3200 Muskoka Road 117 Baysville, Ontario
 P0B 1A0 Canada Telephone: 705.767.3300
 Fax: 705.767.2232 www.ilovecamp.org Cairn’s central site is situated in Baysville Muskoka, approximately 20 km east of Bracebridge, south of Huntsville and west of Dorset. We also have satellite sites in Kirkland Lake for the Dorothy Lake Programme, and near Bracebridge for Presbyterian Music Camp.

At the Cairn Family of Camps, we're very interested in bridging the gap between summer camp and year round faith formation for campers and their families. Campers live completely immersed in faith language,…

Sponsor a child that you know for camp this summer!

Church Family Photo Album 1 Meatballs: A New Team For Special Meals On February 1st of this year, a new team from St. Andrew’s had its initial run. Not without some angst by rookies such as myself, it all ended up being a wonderful and blessed experience. Since our first attempt at cooking this rather large meal was a meatball stew, somehow the name for us collectively, became The Meatballs. (That name, I believe, may still be up for negotiation…) Bev Woodcock, who coordinates this task on a regular basis, walked us through this process with exemplary patience and loving kindness. My respect for her is boundless…

Bev Woodcock with Ralph Kendall

Wayne Bower and Pat Coderre

Blessed are the merciful. Bev most certainly is. Ada Mallory, Editor The entire "Meatball" Crew. Missing is Rose DeShaw

We rest together after our own Meatball dinner

Church Family Photo Album 2

Hanky Panky in St. Andrew's Kitchen: Ralph Kendall and Wendy Worling

Nash Amoah with wife Sarah and Baby Nana

St. Andrew's Baroque Ensemble

Joan Barr-Knox displaying runner made specifically by her for St. Andrew's Hall Presentation of Runner to Kitchen "Executive"

Bible Crossword Puzzle…………. ACROSS 1. Hook 5. Essence 9. Scoff 13. Dinner bread 14. Son of Seth 15 More angry 16. Opera solo 17. Zilch 18. Minor Jewish prophet 19. First Christian martyr 21. Scarce 23. Pops 24. Adam and ______. 25. Capital of Saudi Arabia 29. Wing 30. Fun 32. Utter 33. Satan 36. _____out (panic) 37. Sing 38. Foray 39. Animals from Daniel 40. Pennsylvania 41. Pride 42. Sandwich meats 43. Wheeled tables 44. Entire 45. Economics abrv. 46. Youngest son of Noah 47. Less rice 49. Caesar’s seven 50. Accountant 53. Fresh 55. Brilliant 57. Sandwich cookies brand 60. Talk about, with “over” 62. Juice solids 63. Card game 64. Graven image 65. Otherwise 66. Decorative needle case 67. Right-winger 68. Garden of _______ DOWN 1. Have in one’s hands 2. Main artery 3. Plague of Egypt 4. What birds’ wings can do 5. Swiss city

6. Silly 7. Turf 8. Russian ruler 9. Sticky 10. Internal Revenue Service 11. Spelling contest 12. Time period 15. Yell 20. Place for the wicked 22. Regions 26. Tribe of Israel 27. Scarce 28. Religious songs 29. Assist 30. Moan 31. Optical device 33. Had by Joseph, Joseph and magi 34. Cliff dwelling bird 35. Stringed instrument 36. Pale sherry 39. Filthy ______

Just for Fun

40. Highest trump in some loo 42. Little 43. Adam’s son 46. “I think_____ of him” 48. Mother-in-law of Ruth 49. Eyeshade 50. Might 51. Heartbeat 52. Birch-like tree 54. Bit 56. Fencing sword 57. Unrefined metal 58. Furrow 59. Flightless bird 61. Hoopla http://www.christianbiblereference.org/ Crossword/cw_00-07.htm Solution to Crossword on inside of Back Cover

The Lighter Side of Saints TWENTY YEARS On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

back the other forty?"

And God saw it was good.

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span." The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?" And God, again saw it was good. On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

And God agreed it was good. On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it." So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone!!!

Life has now been explained to you. There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me as a public service. If you are looking for me, I will be on to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give the front porch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------

The Lord is My Shepherd A Sunday School teacher decided to have her 2nd grade class memorize Psalm 23, one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. She gave the children a month to learn the chapter. One little boy was excited about the task, but he just couldn't memorize the Psalm. Although he practiced and practiced, he could hardly get past the first line. The day came for the children to recite Psalm 23 before the congregation. The little boy was nervous. When his turn came, he stepped up to the microphone and proudly said, "The Lord is my Shepherd and that's all I need to know!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“John’s the most absent-minded man I ever saw.” “Why, what’s he been doing now?” “This morning he thought he’d left his watch at home and then proceeded to take it out of his pocket to see if he had time to go home and get it.” The Presbyterian Witness, July 30, 1910.

An Album of Prayerful Meditations… A Morning Prayer

You cause the sun to shine on the world To give physical light, Let your Holy Spirit illumine my mind To guide me in the way Of your righteousness.

To that heavenly and blessed life Which you have promised To your people… And since to begin well Means little unless one perseveres, I ask you to be my guide not only today But all my life, daily continuing and increasing Your grace in me Until you have brought me into full union With your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is the true Sun of our souls, Shining day and night forever. Amen

My God, my Father and my Saviour, Since you have chosen to preserve me By your grace, Through the night just ended So in everything I do, let my goal And to this day, And intention always be to walk Grant that I may use it entirely Reverently and to honor and serve In your service you, And that I might think, Relying only on your blessing Say and do nothing For my well being, and But to please you and to obey undertaking Your holy will, Only what is pleasing to you. So all my actions might be to the glory Grant also, oh God, that as I labor Of your name For my physical needs And the strengthening of my And for this present life, neighbours. John Calvin (1509-1564) I may lift up my soul And just as in this earthly life …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Father, Jesus, have mercy on them. Jesus, help us to defeat them with Your love, by our prayers for them. A Prayer for Peace in the Face of Jesus, we pray that they will somehow get to meet Islamic State Atrocities You. Holy Spirit, You who are the power of God here on earth, we cry out to You. Lay Yourself like a blanket The following prayer is written by Omar Haramy, a over the places where the IS performs its cruelties. Palestinian Christian and a member of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in East Smother the flames of terror which destroy everything Jerusalem. It is a prayer written in response to the in its path. With Your heavenly Light, make these areas atrocities being committed by Islamic State. unbearable for the darkness and evil which drives the Heavenly Father, You know what is going on in our world. All the wars and misery. You know the world is now faced with Islamic State (IS), this new enemy that shows no mercy to its victims. Now that parts of our world are gripped by fear of the IS onslaught, Father help us to remember that You have equipped us with a weapon more powerful than any other. That You, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, have equipped us with the knowledge of love and forgiveness, and with Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, You see us as we are, see our mistakes. You have opened the way to our Father. Through You, we are forgiven, our sins forgotten. Therefore Jesus, when we abhor the terrible atrocities carried out by IS jihadists, help us to remember that they are people too.

IS members onwards. Father, we implore You, send Your Angels to protect the innocent and defenseless. Protect them from these IS jihadists with Your power, smash the chains that imprison their hearts and brains. Free them from the people who poison their feelings and thoughts.

Thank You Father that we can rest safely in Your arms, Holy Spirit fill us with Your power, arm us. Jesus, walk by our side. Thank You Jesus for defeating Evil, help us to follow in Your footsteps and defeat these IS members with the power of prayer and Your love. All this we ask in your name. Amen. Posted by www.Presbyterianchurchofcanada.ca Feb. 23, 2015

New to the Burning Bush… The Elders of St. Andrew's have approved an opportunity for individuals associated with commercial initiatives to share news of their business and support the production of this congregational newsletter.

Advertising Policies 1. It is the policy of The Burning Bush to carry advertising as a service to St. Andrew’s Church Kingston. 2. All advertisements published in The Burning Bush must conform to the conditions within this policy statement as interpreted by the Editor. When questions of interpretation arise, the Editor shall consult with either the Pastor or the Clerk of Session. 3. The Burning Bush rejects the advertising of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drug paraphernalia, and that which promotes any form of gambling. 4. As a general practice, not more than 5% of the total space shall be used for advertising in any one issue. 5. Advertising rates may be revised in consultation with the Clerk of Session and Treasurer. New rate schedules or notice of intent re rate changes shall be submitted to its advertising clients in advance of such effective change. 6. All monies accrued from advertising will go directly into the General Fund of St. Andrew’s Church Kingston. 7. The Burning Bush accepts no responsibility for any product or service advertised, but complaints may be drawn to the attention of the Editor. 8. The mailing list of The Burning Bush readers shall not be given out to, or shared with any agency, firm or business that may choose to advertise within it. 9. When advertising may conflict with the interests of the Presbyterian Church of Canada (PCC), as for example, the solicitation of funds for causes that either duplicate existing programs of the PCC or conflict with them, such advertising shall be discouraged and exceptions made only at the discretion of the Editor in consultation with the Pastor. Note: Advertising rates will be available upon request prior to the June 2015 Burning Bush edition. To place an advertisement in a future edition, please contact Ada Mallory, Editor, [email protected]. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Solution to Crossword Puzzle…

St. Andrew’s Stained Glass Windows Commissioned and erected by The Ladies of the Home Association of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston, this stained glassed window, viewed from within the sanctuary, was made by Castle & Son Company, a company known for the intensity of their red and blue stained glass colours. The company was started by Thomas Castle (1829-1886), an Englishman who immigrated to Montreal in the 1860’s. Initially starting as a small painting company, by the 1870’s had expanded to include ornamental painting and by the 1880’s had expanded again to include stained glass windows. The company was eventually based in Montreal and New York. In 1885, following the death of Thomas Castle, his son William took over the company. This particular stained glass window in St. Andrew’s dates back to the 1890’s when a new sanctuary was built following the destruction of the original sanctuary by fire. The inscription reads, “Sir we would see Jesus. Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.” This inscription is a condensed version of the KGV text, John 12: 21,22, “The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus”.

“They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.” NRSV

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 130 Clergy Street East, Kingston, Ontario, K7K 353, (Tel. 613-546-6316: Fax: 613-546-8844)e-mail [email protected]. Minister/Consultant: Andrew Johnston. Editor/Production: Ada Mallory [email protected]