Author: Darrow Woods
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In 1866, soldiers fought and died to protect Canada. It took decades to finally honour them. Decoration Day began as a way to honour those who fought the Fenians at the Battle of Ridgeway
Before moving to this area I’d never heard of Decoration Day, which is held the first weekend in June. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion visit the graves of veterans and mark each one with a Canadian flag. It’s a solemn and respectful thing to do. Growing up in Thunder Bay, with parents who were…
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Was Ricky Bobby right? Talladega Nights ponders the nature of God
Have you seen the movie Talladega Nights? It has a dinner scene in which the stock car driver Ricky Bobby, played by Will Ferrell, says grace. He gives thanks to God for the food his family is about to enjoy. (KFC and Dominos and “the always delicious Taco Bell” must have paid big bucks for…
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On Remembrance Day, the story of an impromptu WW1 truce offers inspiration and hope
A friend visited last weekend bearing gifts, which is always nice. Even nicer when it’s beer. They brought a can of Storyteller Lager because they see me as a storyteller. (I tell myself they meant it as a compliment.) As a wannabe novelist, sometimes writer of columns like this one, and as a preacher, I…
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Effort to house Ukrainian refugees puts the Golden Rule into practice
I was honoured to be asked by the Essex Fun Fest planning committee to lead a non-denominational worship service at 8:30 am on Sunday, July 10, at the BIA Heritage Pavilion, 87 Station St. in Essex. As our communities open up again, it is worth considering what values and meaning should be the foundation of…
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Despite advances, Canada’s gay community faces troubling signs of intolerance
It’s Pride Month, time to affirm and celebrate the presence in our communities of people who identify as LGBTQ2+. It is also a time to remember that, not long ago, such celebrations weren’t possible. Statistics Canada, working from data gathered in 2018, reports Canada is home to approximately one million people who are LGBTQ2+, accounting…
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Compassion, courage needed to end U.S. gun violence
If you had a neighbour who placed the protection of their own needs and privileges above the safety of their children, you might have questions. You might wonder if there was anything you could say or do that might open their heart, their mind, to another point of view. You might ask yourself if your…
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Long a symbol of unity and goodwill, the Maple Leaf has been cynically co-opted
A couple of years ago we were out of town for a wedding. During a sudden rainstorm I ducked into a shop to buy a ball cap. It was Roots so the options were limited and pricey! I chose a black one emblazoned with a Canadian flag. It’s become my Canada Day hat. Most of…
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When freedom’s just another word — for anarchy
What is “freedom?” We’re each free to think of it as we choose, but if people are willing to occupy the streets around Parliament Hill, or limit access to one of the continent’s busiest border crossings, I hope they’re clear about what they seek and how they pursue it. The “how” matters. I have a…
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Looking for heroes and villains in a complicated world
“Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.”That ear-worm wisdom is from The Boy in the Bubble on Paul Simon’s album Graceland. I am amazed it came out in 1986. While I hesitate to say what any poem or song is about, each time I listen to that one, it feels like Paul Simon…
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Canada Day a time for sober reflection about the country’s past and its future
When I lived in a larger urban centre, I was often called on during the Christmas season to help with funerals for families without a church connection. I had a personal rule that I would never say no to helping with a funeral in that season, even if it was on Christmas Eve. Sometimes families…
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Was Ricky Bobby right? Talladega Nights ponders the nature of God
Have you seen the movie Talladega Nights? It has a dinner scene in which the stock car driver Ricky Bobby, played by Will Ferrell, says grace. He gives thanks to God for the food his family is about to enjoy. (KFC and Dominos and “the always delicious Taco Bell” must have paid big bucks for…
-
On Remembrance Day, the story of an impromptu WW1 truce offers inspiration and hope
A friend visited last weekend bearing gifts, which is always nice. Even nicer when it’s beer. They brought a can of Storyteller Lager because they see me as a storyteller. (I tell myself they meant it as a compliment.) As a wannabe novelist, sometimes writer of columns like this one, and as a preacher, I…
-
Effort to house Ukrainian refugees puts the Golden Rule into practice
I was honoured to be asked by the Essex Fun Fest planning committee to lead a non-denominational worship service at 8:30 am on Sunday, July 10, at the BIA Heritage Pavilion, 87 Station St. in Essex. As our communities open up again, it is worth considering what values and meaning should be the foundation of…
-
Despite advances, Canada’s gay community faces troubling signs of intolerance
It’s Pride Month, time to affirm and celebrate the presence in our communities of people who identify as LGBTQ2+. It is also a time to remember that, not long ago, such celebrations weren’t possible. Statistics Canada, working from data gathered in 2018, reports Canada is home to approximately one million people who are LGBTQ2+, accounting…
-
Compassion, courage needed to end U.S. gun violence
If you had a neighbour who placed the protection of their own needs and privileges above the safety of their children, you might have questions. You might wonder if there was anything you could say or do that might open their heart, their mind, to another point of view. You might ask yourself if your…
-
Long a symbol of unity and goodwill, the Maple Leaf has been cynically co-opted
A couple of years ago we were out of town for a wedding. During a sudden rainstorm I ducked into a shop to buy a ball cap. It was Roots so the options were limited and pricey! I chose a black one emblazoned with a Canadian flag. It’s become my Canada Day hat. Most of…
-
When freedom’s just another word — for anarchy
What is “freedom?” We’re each free to think of it as we choose, but if people are willing to occupy the streets around Parliament Hill, or limit access to one of the continent’s busiest border crossings, I hope they’re clear about what they seek and how they pursue it. The “how” matters. I have a…
-
Looking for heroes and villains in a complicated world
“Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.”That ear-worm wisdom is from The Boy in the Bubble on Paul Simon’s album Graceland. I am amazed it came out in 1986. While I hesitate to say what any poem or song is about, each time I listen to that one, it feels like Paul Simon…
-
Canada Day a time for sober reflection about the country’s past and its future
When I lived in a larger urban centre, I was often called on during the Christmas season to help with funerals for families without a church connection. I had a personal rule that I would never say no to helping with a funeral in that season, even if it was on Christmas Eve. Sometimes families…
