A Christian Response on Stress Street

An article this week in the Hamilton Spectator reminded readers that one particular tower block near our church has an average life expectancy of 57; in line with the 15 poorest performing countries in the entire world.  (https://projects.thespec.io/codered10)

I wrote on social media, “Yo Hamilton region Christians and those interested – here is an address I have preached on three times in the last year. From this week’s Spec Code Red update: “That would rank Vanier Towers among the 15 worst countries in the world for life expectancy, worse than Mali, the violent west African nation that is the second-poorest country of all.” What does it mean that there is a/are Christian Churches within 500m of this facility? Life expectancy of 57, among 15 worse countries in the world! 500m from where Christians worship and do things. Would love a conversation on what this truly means for us.”

I am told by people who live in the Towers, it is called <address #> Stress Street.

But I wonder for Central Presbyterian if God is calling us to more intentionally respond.  Some thoughts on it that have stayed with me are:

• how relationships are important and part of the Christian witness;  and how we are all transformed in and through relationships
• the importance of eating together with others
• Central’s current HOOTC and Spring BBQ which are food based ministries in the neighbourhood
• what would a cafe/hub look like at Central?
• what would a weekly community dinner look like at Central?
• what would having an open lunch every Sunday after church look like, and intentionally inviting friends from Vanier Towers?
• what would a monthly potluck team look like, dropping off and eating lunch together in the shared space at Vanier Towers?
• what would a longer conversations with the 10-15 people some of us already know and have relationships with from the Towers, reveal?
• what it mean to focus more or most of our ministries in this direction?
• what would it mean for our space?
• what funds are available for application to ensure a sustained approach to this?
• what would happen if I or others started popping over there once and while to meet more people?

OK – ideas.  Thank you for listening, praying and continuing the conversation.

Pastor – Greg Davidson

 

 

 

Art in Worship

Here some resources that I have used in worship, and have found helpful.  A work of Christian art, connected to a Scripture reading.  These are PDFs, set for printing.

Matthew 6: 19-21 – The 7 Acts of Mercy, Brueghel the Elder, 1559.

Matthew 8: 28-34 – Jesus heals the demoniacs, 14t c. Lower Rhineland Homiliary.

Matthew 14: 22-33 – Disciples See Christ Walking on the Water, Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1907.

 

 

 

 

 

Red Letter Christians

Here’s a piece by Shane Claiborne and Tony Campollo dissociating themselves from the evangelical movement, first named in the 1930s they argue, and asking instead for an identity tied less to a political party.  Calling themselves Red Letter Christians.

http://nytimes.com/2016/11/29/opinion/the-evangelicalism-of-old-white-men-is-dead.html

Great Bible for Children – The Jesus Storybook Bible

I can recommend this Bible for children.  Great for parents to read to children and children to read to parents.  Tells the story and interprets its meaning as it goes.  Really good.  The Jesus Storybook Bible

From the publisher’s website:

“The Moonbeam Award Gold Medal Winner in the religion category, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of the Story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David—every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle—the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of salvation—and at the center of their Story too.”

The wineglass – a great article by Stephen Farris

Stephen Farris (moderator of the General Assembly this year and coming to Briarwood on May 24th, 2015!) published this article in the Presbyterian Record.  Lovely, touching read.

http://presbyterianrecord.ca/2014/12/01/the-wineglass/