We are not alone...

This session in Sunday School, the children are learning "A New Creed" initiated by the United Church of Canada in 1968 (they don't think that's very new!)



Now you can learn it too!

Sun, glorious sun! and a little story for you...

I am home and it is sunny which makes working on the computer a challege. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. All went well at Pike Bay and Lion's Head. Pictures to come. For now I'd just like to post my little "Flicker" story. You can find other versions on the "dub dub dub" (that is the World Wide Web) but this is my interpretation. Hope you enjoy hearing it again...all my little snowbunnies!

Little Flicker was a curious little bird, All around he saw wonders and marvels. He really loved being him…even if he was just little and as some folks said…of little consequence. One February day he wondered what one snowflake weighed.


Why? Well, it just seemed a very good question to ask. Snow being a very big part of winter and all. People just ought to pay more attention. At least that’s what Little Flicker thought. And so he asked Wise Old Owl, “What exactly is the weight of one single snowflake?”

Wise Old Owl slowly turned his large head with the very big ears. He hunched his head down and ruffled his neck feathers. ‘What a bother these youngsters can be,’ he thought. Still, he gave the matter some deep thought and came to a wise old conclusion.

Wise Old Owl hooted softly (like grownups do when they are thinking deep thoughts and he gravely replied in his most serious tone, "Hooo hoooo hooo.” Why the weight of a single snowflake is nothing – nothing more than nothing."

Now Owl was indeed wise and an elder, so Little Flicker didn’t question his answer. It must be true. So he went about his business eating dried fruit and rose heps and seeds and in general, just having a lovely day.

As time passed, it started to snow. Ma and Pa Cardinal joined Little Flicker on the branch of the rose tree. First they ate a few heps and then they hopped down on the ground where there were lots of nyger, sunflower and coneflower seed. They also enjoyed the seeds that were left in this edge of the woods. Little Flicker asked them how much they thought a single snowflake weighed.



Ma just said, in her most motherly tones, “Well, my dear, here we sit covered in snowflakes and I can’t feel any difference. I would say that a single snowflake weighs nothing, nothing more than nothing.”
Pa nodded his red head sagely, “Yes, my dear, you are right indeed. Nothing more than nothing.” And with that they both fluffed their feathers and flew off.

There was no wind and the snow continued floating down like large goose feathers. They were so pretty – each flake different from the other – each flake beautiful as the finest lace. Little Flicker just enjoyed their company and thought about how beautiful the snow was instead of scientific facts for the moment.

Wyrel the Squirrel came by; he dusted the snow from his head as it tumbled from an overhanging branch. Little Flicker asked if the snow was heavy.

Wyrel just laughed, “Why not at all, chick,” he chuckled. “Snowfakes weigh nothing more than nothing!” And with that, off he scampered.

The rabbit family hopped into view, pink noses twitching. Snowflakes dusted their long white whiskers. Little Flicker watched as snowflake after snowflake drifted down on the bunnies.

It didn’t seem to weigh them down; maybe everyone was right and snow was weightless, of no great consequence. Perhaps a snowflake made no difference at all.

Little Flicker was tired from all his “research”.

Little Flicker rested on a branch of a maple tree, counting each snowflake that came to rest on the branch until he reached the number 1,973,864.

Then, with the settling of the very next flake – came a groan. A huge sigh-ing. Then creek; squeak; and a shattering KERAAAAASH!

The branch suddenly split from the rest of the tree, throwing the Little Flicker, the branch, and the snow to the ground – quite unceremoniously.

"That was surely a whole lot of nothing," said the Little Flicker, giving his head a shake and ruffling his every feather.

Maybe everyone else was wrong.

Maybe one little snowflake can make a difference – a big difference.

Maybe one little Flicker can make a big difference. Maybe even you can make a big difference. Maybe everything we do does count!

And with that Little Flicker started to sing as off he flew to share the good news.

Bye for now!

Francis Sandy and Five Oaks

Good day!

Just in case you were wondering about my "theology" ... here's something I think significant. Both to us and to God. (as usual move your cursor over the picture and when you see a little white hand then click to enlarge the photo. When you've seen enough of the picture just click your "back" button on your browser (the green circle with a white 'more than' mathematical sign at the top left of your screen. That will return you to the "blog.") It's a little tongue in cheek and I received it from a friend named Lani in Nova Scotia. An art therapist and wonderful human being. You can visit her 14 Secrets blog here.

I realize that I have spoken frequently about Francis Sandy Theological Centre and Five Oaks, but that some -- if not many -- of you may not know anything about either wonderful retreat/resource centre.

I have given links, but I do want to share just a few pictures of these places -- which are actually on the same grounds near Paris, Ontario. I guess that will have to wait till tomorrow. I'm off to work on a secret puppet project!

Covenanting Service

The children said their "lines" with such gusto!




Oh! The choir sang a wonderful gospel medley (just for me!) and we all danced like David!







A blessing on me.
And a growing gift to go with
this session's theme of
"Grow and be happy in your faith."
Philippians 1:24




Then I had a special time with the children discussing God's purpose for frogs (to care for the water). The whole congregation joined us in saying "Frog Prayers" over a cut glass bowl of water.

Oh this was such a special day for me! I just want to share some pictures with you before I get busy and get ready for an all-day PowerPoint in Worship workshop in Tara.