HELLO!

In case you missed our worship time this morning, here is the livestream recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HrZj0O77qw

Please keep the families and personnel of CFB Wainwright in your prayers. Last night, Lucian, Kim and I attended a concert by Loreena McKennitt. She shared with the audience how proud she was to be asked to serve as Honorary Colonel of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In her encore she told us how she had dedicated her song, “Dante’s Prayer” in remembrance of Shawn McCaughey of the Snowbirds, who died in 2007. I thought we might listen to that song as we pray for these families: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHvj1cxOs0

Loreena McKennitt’s music is known to be a source of Celtic spirituality. If you have witnessed a funeral where I have preached you will know I refer to Celtic spirituality, and in particular something they call “thin places”. A thin place is defined in Celtic Christianity as one of “those rare locales where the distance between heaven and Earth collapses.” In other words, a place where the presence of God is readily experienced or a place where one is more aware that little separates us from the holy.

Although Celtic Christianity predates Roman Christianity in the Celtic Isles by centuries, it is often seen as “New Age” or “pagan” by those unaware of the fuller meaning of that word. Many are attracted to it by its gentleness and earth-honouring poetry prayers, without realizing that there’s also a justice-seeking side to it as well. The attributes most valued by adherents of Celtic spirituality — such as harmony with Nature, connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, and mystical experiences — are in fact common to indigenous groups worldwide. ‘Celtic’ Christianity has found enthusiastic reception in communities with predominantly black believers in Africa and among Christians in First Nation communities in North America, where the shared values are perceived as antidotes to colonialist versions of the Christian message.

Celtic spirituality celebrates the inherent goodness of Creation as seen through prayers that reflect everyday experience. You may hear that in a benediction I sometimes use: “Deep peace of the running wave to you…” Here is a Celtic prayer I have used when leading retreats: Christ as a light, illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ over me, Christ under me, Christ beside me on my left and on my right. This day, be within and without me. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak. And in the heart of each who speaks unto me. Christ as a light, Christ as a shield, Christ beside me on my left and on my right.

Peace, Kevin