Advent 1 - Hope: The prophets called us to bring attention to an incarnation of matter that matters. The incarnation of life that breaks through the ordinary stuff of life. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah preach repentance and judgment to the self-centred people of Israel and then, in the 40th chapter come words of forgiveness, reconciliation and the ever-abiding love of God. These words are written as the people, in captivity in Babylon, anticipate release and return to Jerusalem. In a time when suffering seemed endless, a light, through the words of the prophet, appears and hope is born. This week we will explore the frailty of humanity, the constancy of God and the nature of outrageous hope.

2019 Advent: 'A Call from the Wilderness' with Rev. Beth Walker

We come to end of our series about the Cosmic Christ.  For the last 5 weeks we have explored many encounters of Jesus who some revealed Christ. In today’s story, Jesus encounters a blind man in Bethsaida.  This story is the two-phase healing of the man. A first touch from Jesus results in blurry vision: the man sees people, but they look like trees walking around. A second application of Jesus’ hands yields clear vision.  Today we will explore that to see the Christ is a life time journey of faith.

Cosmic Christ: 'Seeing With New Eyes' Rev Beth Walker

On December 15th, 1the congregation of Fairfield United Church joined the good people of James Bay United Church.  This was one half of the message that was shared on Sunday.  Enjoy!

2019 Advent: 'About Joy' with Rev Beth Walker

The Gospel reading this second Sunday after Christmas strikes a new tone for the season by dramatically leading us away from anticipation of Advent of new life, the revelry of the holidays and gifts of the Magi to the tenuous and hard work of living between the promises of new life possible and their fruition.  We know that moving to something new is not easy. The story of the Holy family who flee to Egypt reveals their faith in a God who is always with them.

Our Question:
1) Think of a time when you decided or it was decided for you and you began a new thing?
2) Where was God in this time of transition?

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Epiphany - 'Opening to Grace' Rev. Beth Walker

The focus of this story today is the descent of the dove and the voice from heaven. God is directly present at the Baptism of Jesus, the first Sunday reading in the Epiphany season; the second reading is on the Transfiguration of Jesus, the last Sunday in the Epiphany. Both are divine pronouncements, that Jesus is God's beloved Son and God is pleased with Jesus.  This week we will consider what it means to be named in community that you belong and you are beloved.

Epiphany - 'Beloved' Rev. Beth Walker

Most gospel stories of Jesus' baptism (there are 3) are narrated from a 3rd person point of view and speak, however briefly, about Jesus' experience of the event. In the fourth gospel, we hear a unique account of John's experience of that baptism. John speaks of his own transition, from "I didn't know" to "I have seen and borne witness" in speaking about the true nature of Jesus.

Epiphany 'Lamb of God' Rev. Murray Groom

Date: January 26, 2020
Theme: Epiphany -
Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

In our gospel story, Jesus calls two sets of brothers to be his followers They are fishermen, embedded in the current economy. The land and sea, their production, and the transportation and marketing of their yields with contracts and taxes paid to Rome. Jesus disrupts these mens’ lives, calls them to a different loyalty and way of life, creates a new community, and gives them a new mission, to fish for people. His summons exhibits God’s economy is here, a light shining in the darkness of Roman-ruled Galilee.

Epiphany-'God is Still Speaking' Rev Beth Walker

Epiphany- Courage and Grace Rev. Beth Walker

During this Lent, in this time of transformation of Becoming Inclusive, Sacred and Authentic.  As you are marked today - let us begin the work of ending the abuses of atonement theology. Let us return to the origin of Lent and Easter – which is not sorrowful, which is not atonement, but rather was formed from the grace the belief that each of us is already made in the image of God and we are in an ever gradual process of transformation 
into our authentic selves - the heart of Love.

Lent-Be|coming-Services of Ashes, Rev. Beth Walker

Date: February 16, 2020
Theme: Epiphany - Blessed
Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48
Children, Youth and Family: Rev Beth Walker 
Music: Diego Barrientos, George Koenig
Liturgy /Sermon: Rev Beth Walker/ Rev Murray Groom
Post-Service Option: After Thoughts

There's plenty of talk these days about "pushing the envelope", by which is meant testing limits and trying out new, often radical ideas. It's not hard to find rich examples at hand. Jesus of Nazareth was a pusher of envelopes, pushing the envelope of human relationships as they were conducted under the umbrella of Torah, Jewish law. Jesus' goal was not to have that law abolished; his goal was to see it fulfilled. He was committed to loving the world into Life and gave his own life, figuratively and literally, to that end.

Our Questions:
1.    What ultimate concern have you/would you give your life to?
2.    What determines your reaction to events that push your envelope?