As I mentioned in yesterday's post, this is a busy week for me. And the two things shared below are a big part of that busyness. I highly recommend setting aside your usual Good Friday practices and joining us!
Simple Moodlings \'sim-pѳl 'mϋd-ѳl-ings\ n: 1. modest meanderings of the mind about living simply and with less ecological impact; 2. "long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering" (Brenda Ueland) of the written kind; 3. spiritual odds and ends inspired by life, scripture, and the thoughts of others
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Good Friday 2024
Monday, March 25, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation #26 -- William Prince's Gospel First Nation
I'm not quite sure what it is about this man and his music, but the more I listen, the more I appreciate his talent. We only have one of his albums, not being people who use online music platforms much. That one album is his 2020 recording, Gospel First Nation, which was a CD gift from our eldest.
Gospel First Nation been a companion for Lee and me on most of our recent road trips to Lethbridge, with its fittingly reflective Sunday morning music as we head home. It's gotten so Lee and I really enjoy singing along, and maybe that's because the relaxed background vocals and simple melodies make it feel a bit like a family sing song, or an old Kris Kristofferson record that my parents had, Jesus Was A Capricorn.
William Prince took home a Juno music award last night for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for his recording, Stand in the Joy. I have yet to hear it, but once this Holy Week -- the busiest week of my year -- is over, I plan on finding William on Spotify and having a good sit-down-and-listen session.
In the meantime, here's the title track of the CD that we play in the car on Sunday morning road trips. It's a gentle, wistful, and beautifully-filmed video that speaks to the realities of life in First Nations communities. In the midst of this very busy week, I'll admit to appreciating the image of Jesus living "peaceful, in a house without any kids, in Fisher Bay, Manitoba." Enjoy.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Sunday Reflection: The days are surely coming
Friday, March 8, 2024
Winter beauty
It's been a very dry western winter this year snowfall-wise. But two Sundays ago the white stuff came down and made the world beautiful.
Even more so in the Rockies. My husband had a conference in Banff these last two days, and I came along to enjoy winter beauty.
Here's a bit for you to enjoy, too, though these pictures can hardly do it justice!
Monday, March 4, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation #25 -- A walking song
I had the pleasure of hearing James Keelaghan live on Saturday night, playing with the very talented Jez Lowe. It was a great concert, but it made me feel old when I did the math and realized that I've been a fan of James for over 35 years! He's written some great tunes in all that time, and I'm glad to know them.
James is nominated for another Juno award this year for the album this tune comes from, Second-Hand. I love the positivity in the piece below, especially the chorus, given the times we live in:
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Sharing a friend's writing
Click here to read Elli's article.
I share this because it's a lesson I have learned the hard way.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Our new friend
Budgies have had homes in my life for all but fifteen (or so) of my human years. I debated whether another one would be a good idea for quite some time, as they can live long lives, and love attention that I might not always be able to give.
But with the anniversary of Shadow dog's death early next month, and so much of concern happening in my world, I decided to welcome some liveliness into our home, especially since, due to many different factors, now is not the time to find another pup.
Today marks one month since Rocky joined our household, and he's slowly getting used to us noisy humans thumping around the kitchen/dining area and trying to teach him to talk. Because his wings were clipped to facilitate training, he ends up on the floor when he tries to fly, and often runs for cover under couch or coffee table. I expect that will change when his wing feathers grow back in and his confidence returns.
For now, the highlights of Rocky's day include a trip to the kitchen window to watch the sparrows at the bird feeder, short conversations (him just listening) while sitting on my finger or shoulder, and the odd millet treat. He also loves the sound of running water when we wash dishes, and certain pieces of music sometimes get him going.
There are many "budgie updates" (click here for one of my favourites) already among my moodlings from feathered friends in the past, which make me laugh as I remember those little birds. This is my way of giving readers fair warning that there may be a few more budgie updates, as I suspect Rocky's current sedateness will change over time, and he'll become a happy and clownish companion who brings us much joy.
Just as the others did!
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Sunday Reflection: Mountaintop hospitality
... and more fences... |
Monday, February 19, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation #24 -- a small piece of Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto
I've always been fascinated by the harp. Maybe that's because I can kind of play a 12-string guitar, and can't imagine dealing with forty-seven strings -- and seven pedals besides!
Last week was Education Concert week at the Winspear Centre for music where I work, and over six performances, school teachers and Winspear staff successfully brought nine thousand grade 4-6 students from their field trip buses into the chamber to listen to a show called "Heavenly Mozart," and learn about the instruments of the orchestra. Now that I think about it, it was a pretty amazing feat, logistically speaking! They all came and went without too much trouble (only one child ended up on the wrong bus after a concert, but she was discovered in time!)
The conversation between the two instruments makes for a really lovely piece of music for a Monday. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Happy Lent!
The Lent Madness Logo |
Yeah, I know. I've had my share of dismal Lenten seasons. But with life as tough as it has been lately (for many reasons -- family illnesses, war, climate change, the local unkindnesses to homeless people, and the anti-trans ideology that threatens my kids and their friends), I need to spend my Lent focusing less on sin and misery -- there's enough of that already! -- and work with the good things that bring us all closer to Creator.
So for the second year in a row, I'm choosing Lent Madness over penitential pessimism. Lent Madness is a completely different take on the March Madness tournament set up by the NCAA in the United States. Instead of pitting college basketball teams against each other in sudden death games, Lent Madness sets up 32 different holy folks in a so-callled "saintly smackdown" that invites readers to vote for one saint every day during Lent. It culminates with the vote on the final Golden Halo recipient.
Sound goofy? It can be a little silly at times (especially when the writers get into the saintly "kitsch" that can be found in online/souvenir stores), but it's also a way to learn about interesting Christians who have shaped our world through their compassion, conviction and faith. I explored a few of last year's contestants and found some really inspiring stories that motivated me to learn more about their faith and love for Christian community. (And don't worry, I was suitably penitential, too.)
Today's first saintly smackdown is between Thomas Cranmer (an English church reformer) and Thomas the Apostle, and it's never too late to get in on the event, though voting is available one day only -- tomorrow we'll have the opportunity to read, learn, and vote about two more holy folk.
I first heard about Lent Madness from Pastor Jim at ICPM, and couldn't help but participate fully last year. It was actually quite a moving experience, learning about saintly people I had never heard of, praying the daily prayers with some of the communion of saints I hadn't yet met, and discovering new holy friends who struggled with being human like we all do.
If you're looking for some saintly inspiration this Lent and want to join me and many other Christians from across North America, visit https://www.lentmadness.org/ and subscribe to the daily emails.
And have a Happy Lent!
Monday, February 12, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation #23 -- Some cheerful music
Here's a bright and lively piece of music -- the Rondo from Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4, K95, in a trio arrangement by someone named Joshua Davis. I think the video must have been made in the middle of pandemic restrictions because the Berlin Chamber Music Hall is empty of patrons. I'm so glad that's no longer the case!!
On the weekend, we heard the Edmonton Symphony's Orchestra's Principal Horn, Allene Hackleman, perform the entire 18-minute concerto just beautifully to a happy crowd, but in the video below, you'll see only the four-minute rondo with Sarah Willis on horn, Tamàz Velenczei on trumpet, and Jesper Busk Sorensen on euphonium.
Musicians are amazing people, wouldn't you agree?
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Sunday Reflection: "If you choose, you can make me well"
Thursday, February 8, 2024
It hasn't stopped
If you have questions or concerns about encampments and their demolition, please click here to read "Busting the Myths about Campsites" on pages 4 and 5 of the February 2024 issue of Straight from the Street. And if you want to join the crew from ICPM at our Annual General Meeting, there's an invitation in there, too. Would be lovely to see more friends there!
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation # 22 -- Joni
It happened again, and this time I'm not sure why this Monday moodling didn't go through. I was quite sure I'd hit the publish button. No matter -- here it is, on a Tuesday instead. -- M.K.
She's an amazing woman, really, this Joni Mitchell. A girl born in Fort Macleod AB, who grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and who has an impressive musical life in folk, pop and jazz worlds. On Friday night, patrons at the Winspear were treated to an evening of her music played by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and sung by Sarah Slean, who gave an amazing performance. And I discovered that I know every word of Both Sides Now. How or why that is the case, I'm not sure. I do know that our family sing song book has the lyrics in it.
Last night, Joni received another Grammy Award for the recording of this performance (her first after recovering from a brain aneurysm) with another of my favourites, Brandi Carlile. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 1, 2024
The myth of "other"
Yesterday, the premier of my province announced draconian anti-trans legislation in what seems like an effort to win further accolades from her supporters.
At a point in my past, I would have been cheering her on for protecting so-called parental rights. But I've since learned that some parents are so stuck in traditional male/female dichotomies that they don't realize they are endangering their own children -- who know themselves to be different. Not all children fit into those two boxes, nor should they have to.
As a parent of a trans person, I've been crossing the bumpy waters of trying to help my child come to self-acceptance and joy in who they are. It hasn't been easy -- in fact, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know that my child was able to try new pronouns and explore who they were in the safety and acceptance of their school, and that eventually, they shared their discovery of their trans-ness with my husband and me.
Our youth shelters are filled with kids whose parents prefer to disown them rather than try to understand who they are.
What really scares me is that the premier's declaration yesterday puts in danger my child, other trans kids and adults, and all people who offer life-saving and scientifically-based supports for trans people because they understand that there are more than two genders.
Just like the anti-encampment folks in our city have pushed our homeless people further and further into the woods, where necessary and life-saving help is hard to come by.
Divisive rhetoric like we heard from the premier yesterday, like we've heard from the anti-encampment police chief for weeks, hurts our society by dividing us instead of equipping us to work together for the common good. In refusing to accept differences among our community members, we are turning ourselves into harsh and judgmental human beings who disrespect lifestyles different than our own.
The problem is that it's too easy to jump on the bandwagon of a self-righteousness that leads to hatred. It's much harder to stand up for the marginalized (my body tells me that -- I am shaking as I write this moodling). But mystics and wisdom teachers across the centuries know that our allegiance lies with every human being, no matter how different their journey is from ours.
So, somehow, my allegiance must be with people who disagree with me, and with people who agree with me. Dialogue leading to understanding and education is critically important, but holding the tension of differences is extremely difficult.
All that I know for certain is that it's never been "us" vs. "them." It's only us, in an interconnected web of life. And we need to get back to walking many miles in each others' shoes, which the Premier and her supporters clearly forget how to do. Only love and acceptance will win the day and better our world.
I've shed many tears this morning for both sides of these divides -- for the people who refuse to understand, and the people who know they have to stand up for who they are against so much opposition. The poem below is what landed in my journal. I think it fits the many situations where we are tempted to "other" each other, rather than ask the deeper questions that help us to understand each other:
in my life
to understand
that there is no "other" --
there is only us.
To judge others
because they are different from me
is really a judgment on myself.
To withhold the rights of others
is to impoverish everyone.
The differences between us
enrich us as human beings.
Were we all the same,
would there be laughter and delight
at the surprises we bestow on each other?
Would there be music
with harmonies?
Would there be sumptuous feasts
that fill all our senses?
There is beauty and safety
in seeing that "other"
is truly gift
to us all.
make us
us.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Tai chi and me -- sixteen years on
I've never been a jogger. I'm not much of an athlete, period. And since Shadow-dog died almost a year ago, I don't walk as much as I used to.
But I'm still doing tai chi sixteen years after I started, and am very grateful for the practice. It's been helpful with balance through years of vertigo, kept up my core strength for gardening tasks, challenged my brain to remember the sequences in order, and helped me through frozen shoulder and recovery from a broken foot. It's gentle and graceful, but still enough that I work up a sweat every morning. There's almost enough room in my living room to do a complete set of 108 moves, but what I really love is doing it outdoors.
Over the last few years, I've discovered that I can almost do it without thinking because it's part of muscle memory. So I've combined it with a morning prayer mantra... which sometimes distracts me enough that I lose my place and have to back up because I forgot to turn and chop with fist, or missed stepping up and raising hands at the right time. But that's okay -- extra exercise is never a bad thing!
I've tried yoga and other kinds of exercise, but this is still my favourite because it's something I can do alone or with a group, anywhere and any time. And after 16 years, I'm still doing it right, or so I discovered when I came across the video below. That's a pretty wonderful thing to know!
Here's a fellow named Kevin moving fairly slowly through the 108 moves. I love to watch him go through the motions now and then because his video reminds me of nuances that I sometimes forget. If you're a tai chi practitioner, you'll know what I mean. Enjoy!
Monday, January 29, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation #22 -- Smile
I've always loved this beautiful melody, sung by Nat King Cole. If I'm not mistaken, my parents had the recording when I was small, and another version sung by The Lettermen.
It wasn't until I worked at a jazz event at the Winspear that I learned that the originator of Smile was none other than Charlie Chaplin, the silent film star of the 1930s. He heard a line from a love duet in Puccini's Tosca that haunted him, and with the help of composer David Raksin, it developed into this piece of music.
Tosca was the first opera I ever saw, with my best friend, Cathy. I remember hearing the Quale occhio al mondo duet between soprano and tenor and puzzling over why it sounded familiar. I never did figure it out, until today. It's interesting to see Chaplin's tune juxtaposed with images from his 1936 film, Modern Times, in the video below.
Hearing Smile in the Winspear concert hall over a year ago, played by a very talented bunch of jazz musicians, was a moment I'll never forget. And Nat King Cole's version is really beautiful, too. Enjoy!
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Sunday Reflection: Harden not your hearts
Friday, January 26, 2024
Simple pleasures -- Friday, chai day
A few years back, I did a bit of research into chai and discovered that it has a bit of rebellion in it. When England colonized India, the British decided that the top grade teas grown in the country would be labelled "English Breakfast Tea," and the lower grade, more bitter teas were left to the people of India, at prices that were unfair.
But the people of India improved their own special ways of turning any tea into chai that rivalled that English Breakfast stuff by making rich, frothy, spicy, and flavourful blends with spices unheard of by the Brits, who pooh-poohed the culinary wizardry of chai wallahs. The colonizers clearly didn't know what they were missing! And their variety of tea has never been as popular on the whole as chai.
My daughter loves chai as much as I do, so we've decided that every Friday is chai day. Of late, she's been taking a course, so I have to pour her sweet and spicy chai into a travel mug to go with her, while I sip mine in peace while sitting in my prayer chair on Friday mornings.
If you're interested in a good chai masala recipe, I have one. All you have to do is ask -- Mrudula doesn't mind if I share it with friends.
Monday, January 22, 2024
Monday Music Appreciation #21 -- Nella Fantasia
Warning: the first time I heard Nella Fantasia from this Sarah Brightman album, it brought me to tears. And I'm pretty sure I've moodled about it before, but it deserves to be appreciated again, in my humble opinion.
Nella Fantasia is a piece of music that was composed for the movie The Mission by Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who died in 2020. It's a stunning piece of music both within the film, and without it.
I recommend listening with your eyes closed and the volume up just enough that it feels like the melody is flowing through your veins. The lyrics, both the Italian by Chiara Ferraù (readers know how I love Italian!) and an English translation, are below. Enjoy!
Li tutti vivono in pace e in onestá
lo sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere
Come le nuvole che volano
Pien' d'umanitá in fondo all'anima
Li anche la notte è meno oscure
lo sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere
Come le nuvole che volano
Che soffia sulle cittá, come amico
lo sogno d'anime che sonon sempre libere
Come le nuvole che volano
Pien' d'umanitá in fondo all' anima
Where all live in peace and honesty
I dream of souls that are always free
Like clouds that soar
Full of humanity, deep in spirit
There even night is less dark
I dream of souls that are always free
Like clouds that soar
That breathes over the cities like a friend
I dream of souls that are always free
Like clouds that soar
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Sunday Reflection: A Prayer for Christian Unity
The Icon of Mercy from the Taizé Community |
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
What a housing emergency means
Temperatures here in Canada's northernmost provincial capital are warming up a wee bit (-20 with windchill to -30 as I write), but people are still suffering frostbite and there have been at least 3 deaths from the cold this week that I know of, likely more. A housing emergency means that there aren't enough places for people in my city to stay warm, never mind live in a community of their own choosing. It means more than that, too.
As Canadians, we have been told that our country is high on the list of places where migrants and refugees want to live. For decades, our standard of living has been something many aspire to share. We've been proud of that.
But the fact is that housing prices continue to rise (due to greed in some cases) and because of that, there clearly isn't enough affordable housing for the people already here. If there was, no one would be freezing to death outside. Our governments used to invest in supportive and affordable housing, but lately they haven't put money down to get shovels in the ground and build what is needed right now.
If that's not a housing emergency, I don't know what is. Clearly, things have to change so that we can ensure that no one has to live outdoors, and so we can welcome new would-be Canadians, especially from places where life is untenable.
I wasn't going to share this interview link from early Sunday morning as it feels embarrassing to do so, but the images (notice the fellow I wrote about last week with his dog, Billy Bob, on the trolley?) and the last minute or so of the interview about contacting elected officials -- are the whole point of what I keep going on about here.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2299556419635
The thing is, the inability to afford a home that affects even one person has a ripple effect on all of us. We are all connected, whether we realize it or not. No matter where we live, it's possible we don't realize that some of our neighbours may be having to choose between paying the rent or buying groceries/medications.
Some of us might be safe, warm, and secure for the moment, but if we don't speak up in defense of those who are struggling, their miseries will compound, and might overwhelm the systems that sustain us all. Crime rates, pressures on healthcare and mental health, addictions, and so many other ills only increase when people are up against a wall. That's a future that none of us really want to imagine.
So it's time to make noise.
Please, if you haven't already, contact your elected officials. Remind them that all of Canada (all of the world, really) is in various states of housing emergency. Give them the Bottom Line: housing is a human right, and government officials MUST work to ensure that everyone has homes that they can afford. And if you want to go the extra mile, suggest that basic income for all would be helpful too.
Both can happen with some effort, creativity and political will. But we have to push our politicians in the right direction, because they get distracted from these life and death situations by the darndest things!
After reading my last moodling, my mom said, "why don't you post contact information for people who want to write letters?" So here it is. Mom -- you're right, I should have done it sooner! And everyone is welcome to share this moodling/these addresses with their circle of friends!
Sean Fraser, Canada's Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. Email address -- sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca
Jason Nixon, Alberta's Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services. Email address -- scss.minister@gov.ab.ca
And if you're not Albertan or Canadian, please don't doubt that there's a housing emergency where you live. It's world wide. Sending an email or phoning your own elected officials can get the ball rolling for a better and more resilient world.
Hey, there's my word of the year!
I'll get off my soapbox now and post happier things for the rest of the month, I promise!
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Encampment stories
The start of this year has been brutal for our homeless sisters and brothers in Edmonton. Not that life isn't brutal for them all year round, but for the last few weeks, it's been particularly bad as the Edmonton Police Service and City of Edmonton cleanup crews decided, in the days before Christmas, to demolish larger encampments that homeless folks pulled together so they could stay warm within their communities.
As soon as the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness became aware of the EPS and City plans, ECOHH put out a call for people to stand in solidarity with the folks on the street and to witness the process. A list of the encampments and the dates they would be torn down appeared on the ECOHH website so that concerned citizens could be present to support the communities, and document the process for the public to see. We stood in early morning darkness with people who were losing their only homes, feeling helpless with them, taking pictures, and assisting with moving their valued possessions away before the crews arrived and trashed everything.
Billy-Bob at church |
As the city trucks moved down the street toward us, the pressure was on. We managed to fold up the tent and pile it onto a cart, but Gary could only move one cart at a time. Running out of time before an appointment, I walked toward the LRT, and ended up following Gary as he pushed his most important cart to the next block, where he started setting up all over again. I don't know if he managed to collect two other carts before the crews tossed all his stuff.
Quinn helps Gary take down his tarp |
A block further south on my walk to the train, people from previous encampment demolitions were in the process of rebuilding. See the pallet platform under the tarp in the foreground? Smart folks don't sleep on the ground if they can help it. They probably got the pallets at the bottle depot four blocks away. Imagine the effort just to move them four blocks without a vehicle. Yesterday when I walked past, there were three tents huddled together on those pallets.
These people have no where to go, no matter what you hear Jason Nixon (Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services for the Alberta Government) saying about investing millions in shelter beds. Shelter beds are not, and never will be the answer.
Imagine having to separate from your partner and sleep in a room with many other noisy people of your gender. There aren't enough spaces for couples...
Imagine having no place to store your possessions so that they aren't stolen as you sleep, and trying to stay awake so you can protect them...
Imagine being kicked out every morning to wander around looking for warm places to wait until you can go back in the evening...
Imagine saying the wrong thing, as a friend of mine did, and having a mob beat you up...
Imagine being an introvert forced into a room of cots with too many other people, or having a mental health challenge that makes overstimulation overwhelming...
Imagine being separated from family and friends from your community, people who support and care for each other in ways that shelter staff can't...
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Sunday Reflection: One good word for 2024
A symbol of 2024's word of the year |
Every year since 2003, I've tried to keep a special Word of the Year in mind, a touchstone of sorts to hold me steady when life becomes challenging. My word for 2023 was Appreciation, and there definitely was lots to appreciate. (Don't worry, though I'm picking a new word, I'll continue with the Monday Music Appreciation posts I started in 2023 just because I love to share music here!)
It's interesting to look back on my words of the year -- moodled here since 2017 -- and other words before that can be found in letters between myself and Cathy, my best friend (we've been keeping each others' letters since we were 10 years old, so there is a record of words in New Year's letters if we go back and look).
Just for fun, these have been my words for the last seven years:
2023 was a very difficult year in my books. I just deleted a long paragraph about its challenges because I'm sure most of us had enough of our own -- we don't need to read anyone else's!
Of course, there were good things, too. Friendships. My dream job at the Winspear Centre for Music. The garden my family planted for me when I broke my foot, and which really produced. My mom and dad's lovely new condo. A trip to Vancouver Island, and visits with special friends out there. Rafting on the Athabasca River near Jasper with favourite folks from Belgium. Calgary coffee breaks on our trips south to be with Lee's dad. His new apartment, and the fact that he's not spending this winter alone. Time with my sisters and parents. The first trip to Jasper with our kids in 6 years, and pubbing with them (they're all of age now)!
Like most years, 2023 was a mixed bag. The good thing is that I've become better at handling life's ups and downs thanks to a 14-week online Wisdom School program through the Centre for Action and Contemplation. It helped me to let go of unhealthy expectations (mostly, ever in progress!) and live out of an undivided heart, to be more "grounded" -- though it's going to take the rest of my life to grow into the way of wisdom.
The Centre for Action and Contemplation and a few recent experiences have helped me to decide on my Word of the Year for 2024. RESILIENCE is also the CAC's focus for 2024, and it's something that I suspect we human beings will need more and more as our world continues to face so many challenges.
Resilience means not giving up, moving forward with compassion and determination even when things get difficult or seem impossible. Resilience comes from working together to improve creation's situation in whatever ways we can. Resilience arises when we remember that we are not alone.
What's your word of the year? Or your focus for 2024?
I rediscovered a Psalm Prayer from 2016, one that I will be praying as I try to live into the kind of resilience that our planet needs right now.
A New Year's Psalm
O Creator,
for new beginnings --
fresh footprintless fields with unplanned paths,
clear calendars and unwritten words,
unperceived passages that we will discover in the year ahead.
loves and losses,
ups and downs.
from the last twelve months
and ask that you bless us and heal us as needed.
in the twelve months ahead,
our joy and strength.
In all the twists and turns of life
be our refuge.
bring your justice and peace into our world through our actions.
Help us to love as you love, without reserve.
Please be gracious to us and bless us
so that we may also bless those you send into our lives,
especially those most in need of blessing.
O Lover of all,
and bless your world
We exult and rejoice in your presence with us
and trust in your goodness to us.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
and all the moments in between
we praise you,
Creator of life.
+Amen.
Friday, December 29, 2023
Jump on the bandwagon!
Last December... almost the same today. |
This morning, the Edmonton Police Service and City cleanup crews took down a homeless encampment (they've been doing it for weeks) in spite of the fact that there is a court injunction in place until January 11th to protect our homeless folks if there aren't enough places where they can go.
And there aren't enough places for them to go. But the dump trucks came, all the same.
So I'm inviting you to jump on the bandwagon and demand solutions for the homeless people in your midst, wherever you live. All you need to do is let your elected officials know that the issue of people having a roof over their head is important to you, and the officials must do what it takes -- in particular, asking those homeless people what would work for them -- until no one is homeless. I should have put that in this letter -- ask the people in need what they need, and work from that! But I was a bit hot under the collar, oops.
Below, I'm posting the email I sent to my elected officials this morning. May it inspire you to send your own. And if you live in Edmonton, or Alberta, feel free to email me, and I can save you the time it takes to look up city council and provincial politicians relevant to this issue by sending you their email addresses. My pleasure!
* * * * * * *
Dear city councilors and provincial politicians,
You've heard from me recently, but I am writing once again, and I will write many more times, as necessary. I live in the Holyrood neighbourhood in Edmonton, and volunteer with the Inner City Pastoral Ministry as a member of the ministry team. As lunch coordinator, I help volunteers hand out more than 200 lunches a week to people who come to us from downtown encampments for the homeless every Sunday. I know the homeless community, if not by names, by faces.
Today I am very angry and more than a little heartbroken that the Edmonton Police Service and city crews are ignoring the injunction preventing encampment evictions when there isn't enough safe housing for the people who have nowhere else to live. The EPS and the City were supposed to wait until more humane solutions could be found.
Homelessness costs the city and province far more than ATCO trailers and support personnel do -- think of all the medical, police/fire/EMT and cleanup costs. Encampment evictions mean these people have nowhere to lay their heads, and they have to start over from square one, begging, borrowing and stealing to build more shelters for themselves -- because you are lacking imagination. Something must be done.
All councilors and MLAs could have emergency meetings to determine where empty city lots can hold heated trailers so people don't have to build dangerous fires; so people can have doors that lock to protect themselves and their few belongings while they sleep at night. Shelter beds will never be enough. The women's ATCO trailers set up by the Elizabeth Fry Society on the north side were a good start; keep going!!
Alberta has a 5.5 billion dollar surplus. Housing is a human right, and it would take only a fraction of that surplus to solve these problems in a humane way. Our province can show the world what it takes to end homelessness. Imagine how great our province and city would become in the eyes of the world!
Dear politicians, I look forward to hearing about the solutions you come up with at your emergency meeting on solving the housing crisis.
Maria K
Thursday, December 28, 2023
On the Feast of the Holy Innocents
Remember the Bible story (a dream version of which I shared yesterday) about King Herod sending soldiers to Bethlehem to kill all the babies two years of age and under so that the promised Messiah could not unseat him as king? Today is the day that story is remembered.
For myself, I am remembering the names of some of the Palestinian children that I added to a long banner of names one afternoon in November. In particular, I am thinking of Lotus, who was only 10, and Rita and Bilal, her little sisters, who were 9 and 7, and their family, cousins with similar surnames, and friends. Wise men did not save them.
So today I am sharing a very powerful Christmas Eve reflection that was offered by a Palestinian Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem instead of the usual Christmas celebrations. An Anglican pastor friend of mine tossed out her Christmas Eve sermon and read his words instead, and truthfully, all our church leaders should be doing the same.
The world's leadership is taking the lazy way out in supporting or ignoring this ongoing war that has led to over 20,000 civilian casualties to date. If we really want to celebrate the season of Christmas, we can do it best by signing petitions, writing our MPs, standing in solidarity at rallies against genocide, demanding complete ceasefire before any more Holy Innocents are lost, and seeking out those among us who are in need to offer them hope through our support...
I pray that it can be so.