I am writing this as the 11th of November approaches. Poppies appear and services honouring the dead are being held everywhere. But it was not always so.
My husband is a man of great courage. Some years ago when everyone in the Council Chamber was asked –without warning – to stand for a moment’s silence in memory of students killed by trigger-happy national guardsmen at an American university, everyone did – except for my husband. That night, he got a call from a reporter who had been at the meeting, and who asked why he hadn’t stood up too. “Because,” John, said, “I believe we should be recognizing the sacrifice of McMaster students killed in two world wars.”
In due course the University reinstated a special service on November 11 – a service that is now crowded to the roof.
Our COC members, too, know what it is to be courageous, to stand up for all that has been good in our United Church and to hold high the banner of orthodoxy. We have many generous and dedicated members, and it is because of them we can keep on going. But some people have peculiar priorities. For instance, how much did you spend on “tricks or treats” this year? Did you know Halloween is now second only to Christmas in consumer spending?
Please help us get the word out that we are proud orthodox members of the United Church who will soldier on in our goal of bringing it back to the gospel. God has given us the priceless gift of His only son. Thank you for your Christmas gift. And many blessings in the years to come.