Change as Rest

The times they are a changing – sorry about that; I felt the need to insert a little Dylan into your day. But they are. Even if it keeps snowing – the seasons have changed.

In the church world, it is now post Easter. Which is the most exciting time in the church world because almost nothing happens! Exciting? You bet! Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter – all of these are high holy days with lots and lots happening. We run through the life of Jesus, metaphorically, in a few scant months and throw ourselves into our faith. There are feasts and fasting, studies and practices... it is work.

I suppose it may be a chicken and egg sort of argument, how our society got on to this rhythmic movement through the year – maybe the church invented it and the civic world took it over, maybe church just adapted the way most people lived their lives... but it is not just in church circles that the times are changing – it is a universal Canadian phenomenon.

This week most University campuses will begin exams – or finish classes. And by the end of the month everyone will go home and find a summer job – perhaps a summer romance – perhaps move back in with their parents and realize how much things have changed....

And what about retired people who now have to open cottages, plant gardens, clean up lawns...

Life has a rhythm and we here in Canada certainly fall prey to it more than some other people – because we have the two main seasons – one where it is too cold to be outside without intention, and one where it is too warm to want to be inside since we spent the last 6 months there.

And life changes because of it. Things slow down, people change focus, and we really do try to make the most of everything around us.

Or at least – that is what I always thought, and what I always hoped. I have lived in a few different ways in the past year, even worked the most minimum wage job you can get – three months in a call centre. Because I had to. Because I chose to walk away from active ministry for a while and get a change of perspective after 20 years in the church.

But again, this is what I am saying, there is a rhythm - a different time and place for everything.

Long long ago some court prophet wrote a poem about it which crept into the religious texts of the day – for everything there is a season, and a time for everything under heaven – a time to live, a time to die, a time for sunshine and a time for snow, a time for ice cream and a time for tea.....

And it is wisdom, deep deep wisdom straight from the soul. A change is as good as a rest goes the current slogan, which it is most certainly not, but there is wisdom there too. We all need the changes that a different season, a different place, a different perspective grant us. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results – so take advantage of whatever changes are coming with this seasonal shift from cold to hot and do something different!

You see, that is the thing, faith is not about some pie in the sky different way of living, it is about seeing the world around you for what it is and living with intention. So embrace the changes, be open to the spirit, and live with intention!

Brett Anningson Brett Anningson is the chaplain at University of New Brunswick and is passionate about progressive Christianity and relating faith to modern culture.

Out of Sight Out of Mind

I wonder how Lent is going.

The church I have been attending was closed for a snowstorm, then had an anniversary service, and now I am not there because of March Break. So... I have really forgotten about Lent this year. It is an honest question for me. I have not spoken to anyone or heard anything about the observance – and to be fair, I think it has been getting less and less each year.

I read a book about being a Buddhist in a non Buddhist country this past week that had a lot of insight that seemed to apply to us as Christians. It basically talked about how easy it is to be reminded to meditate when you live in a country where there is a Buddha on every corner, a prayer flag from every tree...

But in secular Canada you could go days, perhaps even weeks without seeing the Buddha anywhere – so what is going to remind you to meditate?

Sounds familiar... out of sight out of mind applies to Jesus as well I imagine.

Which is what Lent was about lo those many long years ago. A period of time, 40 days long, where we were constantly reminded to pray, to think about Jesus, to make religion the centre of our lives. Part of it was publicly marking yourself as Christian, ashes and austerity. Part of it was giving up something you loved so that every time you wanted it, like chocolate, you were reminded that God was more important than, gasp, chocolate.

I have noticed this so acutely this year when I am not working in a church. It is the first time in 20 years. I have never experienced a high holy season in my adult life as anything but a minister and it is eye opening. The stuff I just assumed you all thought about – you never do. Nothing is out there in the real world reminding people it is Lent. In fact, it is quite the opposite, We are reminded that spring is coming, that it is March Break, that the Easter Bunny is bringing chocolate, that we need a new car – anything but that we should think about God.

In Thailand if you look up you will see a prayer flag. If you are in a store there will be an alter with some incense and the Buddha. Go into any restaurant in Asia, in fact, and you will find the waving cat ushering wealth and good fortune through the door.

Anyone remember the last time they saw a crucifix in public? How about a picture of the last supper or the words of a prayer?

I am not talking about evangelism. I seriously do not care if anyone becomes Christian. I don't think we need to be forcing any type of faith on anyone. But I have known lots of people who have spent serious time in Asia – and that is not the point there at all. In fact, they would rather you did NOT become Buddhist, and no one is ever going to ask you about it. But THEY are Buddhist and so they have a statue of Buddha. Or Hindi and thus Ghanesh is welcoming people at their alter. Or what have you... but us... we are ashamed.

Or at least, that is my best guest. Christians seem to actively work at being not Christian, at hiding who we are, of making sure there are no religious artifacts or artwork to remind us. And so if you do not go to church...

So seriously. Anyone celebrating Lent? I mean, an hour after church is over? Anyone remember their faith on a day to day basis? Or is it out of sight out of mind. And if that is the case, what can we do about it?