I’m getting a lot of questions about civil disobedience in relation to climate change. Given the urgency and our government’s refusal to consider any meaningful action, people are wondering, and asking, whether the time for non-violent civil disobedience is at hand.

Summer brings many blessings such as the opportunity to spend yesterday with the fine MDiv Summer Distance students at Atlantic School of Theology. These students have studied hard over these last weeks, and will head back to home and learning sites today, as I head for Berwick Camp to join the 140th annual encampment. This camp community continues to work hard to recover from last December's devastating storm, and I will carry the love and support of the church with me.

Too many responses to the Oslo bombing and Utoya Island shooting are, predictably, adding to the kind of hateful sentiments which give rise to such attacks. Remarkably, some have responded with a strength of heart and faith that gives energy to the way of love, as distinct from ways of fear. It appears that those who call themselves Christian are included in both groups: both those incline to perpetuate division and violence with their responses, and those who have allowed their broken hearts to open and embrace the pain of 'the other.'

My favourite new word is ecotone. I discovered it when preparing my sermon for the national Worship Matters event that took place in Toronto in June.

I’ve been excited by recent conversations with friends and colleagues about how we see Spirit moving powerfully throughout The United Church of Canada these days. (Pentecost seemed to come early this year!) In her book The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why, Phyllis Tickle suggests that the best way to describe “the emerging church” is with the word “conversation.”

My 93 year old Father-in-law's birthday pie is finally in the oven and I'm reflecting on other early-summer traditions.

Many of my Canada Day memories are located in the final days of camp staff training, readying ourselves to provide good 'habitat for the soul' for children coming to church camp.

There aren't many news outlets with religious writers these days, so I'm grateful that the National Post has Charles Lewis on staff to shed light on the religious life and experiences of Canadians. I appreciate particularly that Charles seems intrigued by The United Church of Canada.

Intrigued but also seemingly puzzled by a church that refuses to enforce a single “orthodox” point of view. In his eyes, I suspect, we appear to be going out of our way to raise questions that ought not to be raised, or provoke arguments that should be nipped in the bud.

Over the past 12 hours I have been in phone and e-mail conversations with Del Sexsmith, the President of the Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario; Faye Ford, the President of Saskatchewan Conference; and Craig Miller, who serves Oak Lake Pastoral Charge in Manitoba.

I am learning a great deal about the multiple layers of crisis people are facing in the areas affected by the flooding—flooding unlike anything seen there for over 300 years.

For those of you who felt that my Easter video message was posted rather prematurely, I understand! It was posted eary to give those of you who might use it tomorrow or later in the season of Easter a 'heads up.'

But given that we are still in the shadow of Good Friday, and not yet to Easter Sunday, allow me to offer my Good Friday op ed which appeared in the Toronto Star yesterday. It is - at heart - about soul, community and creation:

 
http://bit.ly/eMrhZ3

Christ is risen! Easter greetings from The United Church of Canada Moderator Mardi Tindal from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the old city of Jerusalem.